New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-29
Cotton Growing in Ncw-Jersey.
Correspondence Ct The N. Tribune

BURLihGTOh, Octs -, ioo<'
The most extensive cotton growing enterprise at
tempted in this region for the last sixty years. las
this seaaon been prosecuted some three miles from
this city, by Mr.. Edward G.. James. This gentleman
il the owner Of one of the finest farms ia the town
ship and lss spared outlay necessary to bring 1t
into the most perfect condition. IIe is largely en-
eaped in business in Phladel pha, there standing at
the head of the shipping interest and being lead
ing member Of the Corn Exchange. Possessed OF
ample fortune, be uses it with noble generosity
wherever it will promote great national objects, or
bo beneficial in private cicles. In support Of the
Government and tho war, II is probable that no man
has poured on, money more LITERALLY, or engaged
more zeaousy in the costly enterprise Of raising and
ftt Nc ont the Corn Exchange Regiment. Tie cotton
question naturally attracted tho attention oil nihi
70 cauacous as his and he resolved " undertake. the
production of the fiber on bis own farm. 10 May
Last he appropriated three acres TO IT, culture Inc
seed was procured from North Carolina, the eroun1
was carefully prepared by deep cultivation ana
heavy manurin1 and about the middle Of May the
three acres were planted. The rows were live feet
Gpar and the plants about eighteen inches asunner'
ExpeTence has shown that in ground thus thorough
" cultivated and manfred, the distance between tue
plants is too small. :,
The Spring wac co.d wet, and late. The soil
chosen was unfortunately too heavy. Notwith.
standing thee drawbacks, with Il general ineApe-
iience III the culture OF Cotton, the crop has grown
with extraordinary yigor. At this Writing there
are Thousands Of the plants that satd i've feet hign,
while their branches inierock midway Of the rows.
They are loaded with blossoms and bos, some show
Ing as many us 60 bos. These are In all stages OF
progress some opened and displaying tue leecy con-
tents OF a well filed boil. On Monday night iist
the first frost of the season fell upon them. IL wac
heavy enough to backen all tender vegetation az II
fro had swept il; but the cotton plana are lar
from being killed Numerous Southcrners, familiar
with cotton growing have visited this trial planta-
iion and they in saying that they have never
seen more promising cotton field even IN Georgia.
Some cotton has been gathered, and more Will be
secured. What the whole yield may be is yet I'M
certain. The season has been unriendly, the ezpe-
riment was tia one yet 20 far it his not been IN
successful.
In undertaking II nero profit was no part OF Mr..
James, object His OF jet was exclusively patriotic.
Tie cultivation OF Cotton this large scale was one
Of the forms in which bis love OF country developed
ITSELF Having mple means and facilities for testing
its VractiCabilty III this region be was DESTROYS OF
proving thst even here cotton could be grown at a
profit Others were 70 gain if be succeeded, he only
would suffer if he failed no matter how small his
crop NAY be the present season, he VIII repeat the
trial another year. stimulated by what be has already
DONE and better informed OF the conditions necessary
% secure full Cotton IA on old product Of
New-Jersey. Before the Revolution, and up TO the
general introduction OF WLimeys gin, almost every
farmer produced bis family supply. This neshbor-
hood, previous TO that rerod, supplied the South
with gins; but 90 Nhlney's invention chesfened
the cleaning Of the seed cotton the farmers OF New
jersey discovering lat they could buy more oleaPly
than they could produce 1t, gradually abandoned its
production. This curious historical TACT 10 well nigh
forgotten. Bot as price then regulated the produc-
ton, IL must do the same now. At fifty cents n
pound very moderate ied on Dir. James, three
acres will pay far better than either wheat or corn.
SO ,ne AZ Il remains AZ that figure, efforts Will continue
to be made throughout this region TO produce cotton
We have been 80 helplessly dependent on the South
as TO have entirely overlooked our own forgotten but
abundant capabilities. Mr. James, patriotic labors
may both revive and demonstrate tGor.