The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-11-23
lyruultural,
A Few Facts about Cotton.


We hear from several parts Of Africa,
that the growth of cotton is proceeding
with rapidly and measurable success, es
pecialy in the English colonies and their
vicinity. At one little town four TONS
had been furnished for export, and more
was expected from the interior. Larpe
quantities are TO be sent to ENGLAND. At
the last National Fair in Liberia, it was
manifest that cotton, sugar and coffee
would soon become staple articles of ex.
port. More than a dozen samples Of cot.
ton were exhibited in competition for the
premiums offered. Some of these were
well ginned and cleaned, and some were
OF fine texture and long and silky staple.
Specimens were gathered from trees
grown from American seed planted eight
years ago, the same trees continuing to
produce an annual crop. IN this partic,
uIar, the Africans possess an immense
advantage over cotton growers Of this
country. Other specimens were exhibi
ted produced from American seed plan.
ted last year. But the principal lots
were OF native African cotton, accompan.
led with many pieces Of native cloth,
socks and stockings, Beautiful specimens
OF the latter were shown, made from the
staple Of the native cotton tree, which
grows wild IN the forest, and reaches a
height Of eighty 20 one hundred feet
Such facts as these are well worthy the
attention OF our southern planters. |,
| appears, also, that there is likely to he
domestic consumption in Africa. The
Liberians are, as We have stated, making
hosiery and cloths ont of the native cot
ton, and 1t was thought at the latest
dates, that Mancester machnerv-on a
small scale, probably, at irst--but still
sufficient to stimulate the cultivation Of
the staple, was about to be introduced
Meanwhile the production of cotton in
INDIA Is increasing largely, nutwilhstan.
ding the recent terrible revolt and the
elastic capacity of lIjndostan and her
people, will now be more and more tried
and tested annually. Steamboats, are
being placed on Indian rivers, and rail
road building, to facilitate the cotton
transit, IS being vigorously prosecuted ;
and, as this system in our southern States
gave astonishing impulse to its cultya.
ton, 1t must operate AS potentially in sci
curing the same result in India. In The
period of fourteen years, Brazil sent an
increase of fourteen million ponds 20 Eng
land, Egypt Of thirteen millions, and tie
import Of other countries rose from three
millions one hundred and thir,v'fve
thousand pounds is 1913, TO eight mil.
lions in 1857. This comparatively smaI.
item from other countries was principal
y from Africa. One great cause of the
impulse impaired to the cotton culture in
Asia and Africa-aud it is an element
upon which the hopes of success in those
regions are founded-is the low price OF
labor, as compared with the cost Of toll
IN the United States. At present several
OF the kinds used, even ia India. are of
qualities inferior to middIiug' only but
progress, invention, and improvement
are ever on the alert, find a few wears
hence might witness very different con-
dition OF things. Even now the ;ower
sorts of African and India cottons are
woven with due proportions Of the better
articles raised in the United States.-
Pennsylvania Enquirer.