The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-31
English Views of the Future of Cotton

At q recent meeting Of the English Cotton
Supply Association, held at Manchester, some
very important facts were elected respecting
the supply and consumption OF cotton in Eng
land.
The report states that the Association had
proceeded upon the assumption that the united
States would not be able to produce as much
cotton as before the war, and it had, therefore,
been unremitting in it's efforts to promote the
| cult vation in other countries. The exertlons
| of the Association had been extended TO all
countries capable Of producing cotton, and no
| eight portion Of success had crowned their Ell
| forts. In some places, as In Turkey and Egypt,
the supply had fallen through temporary
causes, aud in India production had been
partially arrested by the fear OF falling of in
the demand. An important feature OF the re-
port is the recommendation that English capi-
tai should be employed in the production as
well as in the consumption OF cotton. Great
stress was laid by the meeting on the lmpor-
tance OF sufficient supply OF cotton. For
want of this tho manufacturers had suffered
immense loss. The spinning trade to be pro
fitable required six days full work, and thus
had not been known in England since 1850.
During the current year the average was esu-
mated at five and quarter days. The conse-
quence Of this reduction OF production entail
ed losses upon the manufacturers amounting
u
causing great distress to the operatives.
With respect to the supply and consumption
some important statistics were presented.
During the last ten years the consumption OF
cotton had increased 80 per cent. In England,
while the increase Of consumption upon the
continent was upon q. much larger ratio. Ten
years ago the continent only took ESQ, GOO bales
wear from England. In 1867 it took 1,oO0, 900;
besides importing 10000 bales direct. In
1850 the United States produced 4 500, 900 bales,
while the average production duri1g the last
three years was only 100000 bales. During
the cotton year ending on the LIST OF Septem-
ber, 1868, supply Of 2,25O, 600 bales could be
probably calculated upon nom the United ne
600 bales in production. The deficiency could
only be supplied from India, and upon this
subject the statistics were encouraging, al
though not altogether free from anxiety.
The cotton statistics Of India are Of great
importance. Before 1851 India only sent 49,
600 bales year to Englani. tn the next three ase
sent 1000, 900 bales. During the next three
years she sent /, 500, 900 bales year. Previous
TO 1860 the consumption OF American cotton IN
England was 80 per cent. OF the whole, and
last year the consumption OF American cotton
Has reduced TO 46 per, cent. The growth OF
Indian cotton has been stimulated by paying
to that country during the last five years
COt8l OF $0ZO tuo cbd kuCs 4hoNiOuoAJ
India had not received over 5000, 600, or
S, 800 900 for cotton. 1t was held that not
more than 1900, 600 bales could be expected
fiom the United States next year, with an an
nual increase OF 10 per cent. This amount
was below the wants OF the manufacturers, and
the great question remained as to the sources
whence the deficiency in the Americen supply
could be obtained. .
The general opinion was expressed that the
increased supply Of cotton could only be OBJ
tanned from India, and that private capital and
government influence should cooperate to
stimulate production. Increased railroad Ia
cilities and irrigation were relied upon as
means to this end. Although much had been
in this direction, yet the work
was only in its first stages OF development
America and India must remain the great
sources Of cotton supply. and it was to the es-
pecial interest Of England to stimulate pro-
duction in India.