New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-04-20

The Paris Moniteur publishes quite an interesting
report to the Emperor Of the French, made by Mar
shall Valiant the subject of the cultivation Of
cotton in Algeria, in furtherance of which object,
the Government has devoted much time and money,
and brought to bear the best skill that could be OBJ
tanned.
The report commences by stating that the season
OF 1857 was very unavoable to the cotton grounds,
from the abundant rains and the lateness of the
spring On several points the land prepared for sow
ing had been torn up by inundations and in others
the growing plants had been washed away In add
ton to this the humidity caused evers, and aborers
became scarce and expensive yet in spite of these
untoward events, the area of the cotton grounds
which escaped was not less than in the preceding
year. The total amounted to about 1000 hectares.
hectare is about two and half English acres.
The land thus cultivated was located in three pro-
vinces, as follows In the province of Algers, LIS
hectares in the province Of Constantine, 522 hec-
tares ; and in the province of Oran, 9O3 hectares
As much has been gained in the east and west pro-
yinces as has been lost in Algers, where the grow.
ing of tobacco continually ahsorbs more ground cap
ital and labor Although the number of European
planting colonsts has not materially increased con
fdence in ultimate success remained unchanged.
choice of their lands and improvements were being
constantly made in the modes of cultivation irriga-
ton, and everything else likely to promote good
crops The number of native planters is said to be
steadily increasing and last year the figure of 600
had been reached but the report admits. much re-
mains to be done in instrueng them as to the best
manner. of carrying on this peculiar branch of
agriculture.
The jury appointed to award the annual prize Of
twenty thousand francs bestowed by the Emperor
from his privy purse, upon that colonst who made
the greatest progress in the growth of cotton have
recommended that it, with the gold medal, be
awarded to NJ. Colonna de Cnarca of the Province of
Own, a token of appreciation of the excellence of
his cotton culture, and that honorable mention be
also made Of other planters who had competed for
the prize. This shows that the Government is deter
mined to encourage literally all efforts to stimulate
the cultivation of the cotton plant in its African de-
tendency.
The jury Of award, above mentioned, concludes its
report in the following significant terms
There is every reason to anticipate triumphant
future in the cultivation of cotton in Algeria Let
the colonsts perseyereet them adopt the use of in
strumeuts worked by animals and every other means
to diminish the cost Of cultivation let them continue
to attend infinitely to the selection of their seed in
oiueT W pteseIye the purify OF the Qualty, and the
production win amply remunerate them for their
trouble. The Government on its side will pursue its
task and continue its encouragements. improvements
and useful experiments will always be the object of
its special care, and nothing will be neglected to
make the cultivation of cotton enter into the habits
of the people.
It will be remarkable, indeed, if efforts like these
backed by a mighty and intelligent Government,
should fail. Nothing but an absolute incompatibty
Of soil and climate can prevent success But, even
If successful we doubt much whether the culture in
Algeria will ever be able to supply half the wants of
France. True, this would be great thing for
France, and would erect its African colony into an
Importance it does not possess but it would not
operate prejudciay upon interests in the South
for the simple and sufficient reason that the consump-
ton of cotton is getting to be- annually still further
in advance of the production. That the demand will
continue TO enlarge for years to come no man in his
senses presumes to question Hence we are safe, no
matter how prolific Algeria may become to France
our noble ally of revolutionary memory