The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-01-29
COTTON GROWING ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

OF cotton, and the fact that our supplies arc
chiefly derived from one source, exposing
us, not only to considerable fluctuations il,
prices, from good or bad seasons, but to
fearful consequences if, from any cause, this
great source of supply should Le interrupt
cd, is subject of anxiety to our manufac-
turing interests; and it is not surprising
That they should desire to render themselves
more secure and independent, 10y obtaining
supplies from a variety Of countries, in
preference to being confined chiefly to one.
The imports Of cotton into Great Britain
last year amounted, in round numbers, TO
9OO,O0O,O00 lbs, of which about 100000.
600 lbs. were received from the United
States. Mr.. Thomas Ccgg, of this city,
has been induced, 10y the Importance which
he justly attaches to this subject, TO visit
Algeria and the shores Of the Mediterranean.
to ascertain whether cotton could be grown
IN those regions, and his report to the Man
chester Chamber of Commerce now lies be-
fore us. Not only will the countries which
he visited produce cotton, but formerly we
received supplies from Smyrna, Cyprus, ST.
lonica, Malta, Sicily and Northern Africa.
Most Of our West India Islands formerly
produced cotton; we received supplies also
from Cuba, St. Domingo, CAYENNE, Surf
nam, and parts Of South America. Nay,
SO late as the year 1910, our supplies of
cotton were chiefly derived from these sour
ces, our imports that year from the United
States being 246,75o bales, and from all
other countries, 3l4,4I4 bales.
1t is notorious that cotton can be grown
i'll all countries within certain attitudes; the
real subject for inquiry therefore should he,
seeing that it can he grown in so many
Countries, why it is grown in SO few; and
wherefore it is, that those countries wl.ic!
formerly supplied us with cotton, lave ceas-
cd to grow il!
The same economic laws which govern
the production Of manufactured goods, or
amy other kind Of produce, equally affect
the growth Of cotton. Cotton will not he
grown unless it yc!'l profit to the grower.
1t is obvious, that the cultivation of cotton
has become Improbable in NIL those coun-
tries where it has ceased to he grown; and
that there is no sufficient prospect of proft
10 induce its growth in those countries
which can produce it.
In the year 1910, to which we have re-
fcrred, the price of upland cotton ranged
from l5d, to 22d, per h., and of West India
cotton from 2ld. to 2s. 4d. per lib. There
is little doubt that these prices yielded a
large profit to the planters; but, from that
time, there has been ii constant decline in
prices, and a corresponding decline in the i'm
ports of cotton from the West Indies, and all
Other places, except the United States. The
growth Of cotton in these places has been
superseded Ly the more profitable articles Of
sugar and coffee; and to the United States
has been left the monopoly of the supply of
cotton to Europe, solely because she can af-
ford to sell it ut lower price than any
other country.
The prices Of cotton for common purpo-
scs formerly ranged from 1eI. to cid. per
lb.; the prices for some years past have
ranged from sd. to 81. per ID. 1t was
doubted, at one time, whether upland cot
ton could be proftabIy grown below 1sI.
per lb., and there might have been grounds
for the doubt, under the rude cultivation Of
The hoe, and when the growth was confined
chiefly to the poorer lands of Virginia and
North Carolina, where the yield was not
more than l5O lbs. to 200 lbs. of clear cot
ton por acre. But improvements have Leen
made in the culture aud preparation Of cot
ton, as well rs in its manufacture. The
plow has superseded the hoe, new and more
productive kinds of seed have been intro
duced, and the richer lands Of the South.
producing 400 lbs. of clean cotton per acre,
have supplanted the poorer soils Of the
North, SO that it is not improbable that Sd.
to 81. per lb. yields as large profit to the
planter as lsd. per lb. formerly did. 1t is
important to notice, that North Carolina
and Virginia could no more compete with
the richer lands Of the South than other
countries, and the growth of cotton being
no longer profitable, it has ceased in those
States.
The preceding observations, We think,
have narrowed the question, which has Le-
come, not so much where cotton can he
grown, as to what countries wo can look
for supplies Of an equal quality, at the same
price rs we can obtain it from tho United
States. The Importance Of the inquiry to
this District can scarcely be overrated, and
we shall take an early opportunity of pur-
suing it.-Manchesier Examiner.
~s~sS-- .s-s
Large Punch Bowls.-An American one
evening was warm in Ibis praises of the he's.