New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-11
THE COTTON FAMINE.

their lDsplrat0D, are nlleu Win ooo"] "nu ~
ports upon the subject. The last Cotton Snp-
PLY Reporter, Sept. 16, gives the total import
for the week ending the 10Th at 34,46l bales,
of which 80, 25l were from India. At the same
date the stock on hand at Liverpool was
1863, 800 bales against 94O,3lO in 1860. The
import of American cotton up to September
10 was 1,243,8 $50 bales, against 1,626,963 TO
same time in 1860 showing diminution from
this country of only 1893, ll3 bales.
In looking over the countless publications TO
which this unexpected cotton scarcity mas
given birth in England, one is struck with the
unanimity with which oil parties admit that
this emergency had been expected to occur,
and the CONSERVATION which its sudden appear
ance has occasOned. Every precipitating
cause had been canvassed, but that from which
it finally proceeded had never been dreamed
Of hence much Of the embarrassment which
they experience. The amazing genius Of the
British manufacturing interest is evidently
taxed to it's utmost to overcome the difficulty.
Whatever may be the secret purpose OF the
Government as to breaking the blockade or
acknowledging the Rebels, for the purpose OF
obtaining cotton, the former alternative has
ceased 10 be entertained by the manufacturers,
while the latter is frequently adyerted to as
the proper remedy. Meantime all eyes are
turned to India. Though the capacity of other
regions to furnish cotton is not only ably can
yassed but actively stimulated, yet India APP
pears TO have been accepted as the great reli-
ance, and TO that region vast private and
official energy is being directed. The great
fact that India can supply all the cotton that
England needs has long been known, and a
mighty effort is being made to obtain it, 1t Isl
tbe how and the when that occasions such in,
tense anxiety.
In the progress of this discussioG, many in.
teresline facts, some Of which are new in this
country, have been brought out These consist
of advantages and disadvantages. The!fCrmer
are as decided as the latter are difficult to
overcome. India is proved to produce cotton
every way equal to the best American. Even
the long stapled Sea Island grows there in
sufficient abundance to supply the small pro-
portion required for European spindles, for
while cotton is an exotic in America, it is ma
tive to India. Labor is abundant and cheap,
and vast shipping interest stands waiting to
float millions of bales to England. But in seek
ing to appropriate these facts to the supply of
British industry, difficulties have been discov-
cred which will require time to overcome, and
it is the effort to overcome them which now
excites 30 much discussion. The Governor
General of India is exerting himself to smooth
the ways but in bis reply to the Manchester.
Cotton Supply Association, just published, he
has COMPOUNDED oil England by declaring that
" in the details of cultivation, the native of
" India has little or nothing to learn from the
agriculturists of other quarters of the globe,
" and il is only in the gathering, cleaning, and
" transport of the cotton, and not in its cult
" walton, that much improvement can be ex-
pected" This assertion has brought out the
most vehement denials. The Reporter replies
by saying that if it is correct, it will be
useless TO hope that India can ever successfully
compete with America in the English cotton
market Indian husbandry ia VIGOROUSLY in a
state of infancy. 1t has limited its exertions
to tho lowest possible point, and left the bur-
den of the work to devolye on nature. The
most important operation of blowing is per-
formed with a bent piece of wood, which leaves
tho greater portion OF the soil undisturbed, and
scratches up the remainder to the depth OF
only q few inches. Every subsequent process
is executed in a fashion equally crude. LIE
Governor is contradcted by the extraordinary
improvements made in English agriculture
within thirty years past; and the demand is
made that the absurd and intricate system of
land tenure in India shall be- assimiated TO
that Of the English freehold as the first great
step toward giving heart to the down.trodden
native in bis efforts to improve the cultivation
of his cotton field.
In celebrated cotton districts Berar, for in
stance. the plant is cultivated under Difficult.
ties which seem almost incredible. The native
grower has some almost incomprebensible hold
upon the land, but nothing moreno money,
no food, no credit. He obtains from native
usurers advances on his coming crop, but not
q rupee in hand until he has first mortgaged
his plOw, cattle, household goods, and property
of every description the lowest rate of interest
being thirty.six per cent. lie becomes, to all
intents and purposes, the slave of his creditor,
who is constantly on the lookout to seize
whatever he can lay his hands on. Practical.
ly, TIE grower has no interest in his crop
it ia not his. No matter how luxuriant
it may be, it cannot relieve him from the in
cubus of debt at such an interest He be.