The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-05
CoIton-GrowIng In California.

The San Francisco Bulletin SAYS that
much interest is felt in the attempts still
making to cultivate cotton on large scale
in California, and it is believed consider.
able breadth of land will be planted TO the
staple ,nls year. The appreciation in the
price since the prostration of southern in
dustry, and the establishment of cotton
mills IN our State, have created induce
lnents OF strong character. But there is
great lack of precise information on the
subject. We were shown to-day some sam.
pies of green seed, or upland cotton, grown
in Sacramento county last season, and re.
presenting n shipment Of six bales, OF
about one ton in weight, which came down
on last nights boat The staple is of fair
quality, and will compare well with the
medium grades of the same variety grown
in the Southern States. The fibre is about
fve-eights of an inch long, is of good color
and tineness, and remarkably strong when
twisted. We have been at some pains TO
ascertain the particular locality where this
cotton was grown, but have no informa-
ton further than that it was in Sacramento
county. In the absence of knowledge as
TO yield and cost Of culture, il is not DOS
sible to speak as to its proftablenesS as a
crop, but the quality of the cotton is good
beyond Cavll. One of the great drawbacks
attending the culture Of new STAPLE pro.
ducts in California is the complete ret. |
lcencc Of parties who make experiments. |
In consequence Of this lack Of information
many trials are mad? with unsatisfactory
results, where one, if properly made public,
would have sufticed, and saved the means
ana energies OF many persons for the de-
yelopment OF other products which might
prove OF practical value to the State. On
the other hand, where products are success
fully raised, the lack Conformation prevents
other persons from engaging in its culture,
and as in the case of cotton-growing, no
data can be had as to its value as a crop in
the future.
ut is now over three years since the first
experiments in cotton-growing were made
in California, and its culture has since
been steadily prosecuted in several dis.
tricts. One would naturally suppose that
by this time the business would have
formed regular channels through which
some accurate knowledge could be derived
as to culture, yield, &c.; but such is not
the case. The sale of home.raised cotton
is confined to very few parties in this
city, yet these parties are so much in the
dark as to the extent of the crop Of 1866
as to be unable to definitely state whether
II was ten thousand or one hundred thou
sand pounds; neither can they give anv
particulars connected with its growing,
,nanulacturers, finding themselves without |
, Iata as 70 the supplies have orderd wheat
tHey hGeu from the Atlantic States, bv wav
OF the lsthmus, so that our planters yooIII,
deprive themselves of the most pro6tSbls
market. which, by right, they should sUn
ply No more certain method Of DESTROY.
ing the Inducements to grow lotion can he |
conceived than the withholding of informa.
ton, and planters have only themselves to
blame in the matter. The time has long
gone by for secrecy concerning this and
kindred products, as the market price can
not be enhanced thereby, nor can any other
advantage be derived We need popula-
ton and greater variety of products, as
earh in its turn increases manufactures and |
Tic wealth and prosperity Of the State; and
to help supply this need we want precise
Information concerning all industrial enter
prise and experiments"