The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-02


Metropolitan Hotel.
The Cotton Supply and English NIanufac.
turers.
We learn by a telegram from Liverpool that
the Cotton Supply Association in England is
preparing to make great efforts to stimulate
the growth and trade in cotton from India.
At a meeting of this association resolution
was passed to the effect that the speedy de-
velopment of the railway system in India is
necessary in order to facilitate the transporta-
ton of cotton in that country and the importa
ton of it into England. The reason given for
this was the insuficiency Of the supply from
the United States, and it is said the stock Of
American cotton is not large enough to keep
the mills of Lancashire fully engaged.
Since the war commenced in this country
England has been making extraordinary efforts
to raise cotton in India, and enormous sums of
money have been spent for this purpose; yet
it appears that after years Of these efforts and
the expenditure Of vast amounts of money
the supply is still insufficient to meet the
falling off Of American cotton. We are aware
that the supply from India has been
largely increased through this action Of the
| British government and capitalists, and also
| that the production of cotton in Egypt and
other parts of the world has been stimulated
| by the necessity Of the Lancashire manufac-
turers. But however much the quantity has
been increased Or the quality improved, Eng
| L. 10
| Nowhere in the world can our beautiful long
staple be produced, as far as is yet known,
| except in America. Nature has settled that
question. The semi-tropical climate Of the
Southern States and the influence Of the Gulf
Stream, which brings the necessary showers of
rain to stimulate the growth Of the annual
plant, make certain belt in this country
peculiarly adapted to its cultivation. And
even here cotton cannot be proftably pro-
duced in the same degrees Of latitude beyond
the influence of the Gulf Stream as in the
most western portions Of Texas or the terri
tory west Of Arkansas. Unless the British
can find another Gulf Stream and the same
climatic conditions that are found In our South
ern States they will never be able to compete
with us in cotton production. Cotton can be
grown In almost any warm climate, but not of
the quality we produce. nor with the same
certainty of crop. 1t is question of climate
more than of labor or capital. Irrigation, as
in Egypt, may do something, and the occa-
sional foods of rain in India may be utilized,
but nowhere is there the necessary alternate
oh nd ~
belt of the United States.
Since the supply has been cut off in part
from this country the cotton manufacturers of
Europe have been changing their machinery
to suit the short staple article of India and
other countries; but we advise them not to
spend money unnecessarily in this way. From
this time forth they may expect larger sup
ply from the United States. The planters of
the South have surely passed the period of
their poverty caused by the war, and they will
have capital enough to extend their plant
| ing operations. The labor of that section,
the same cause, is becoming organized and
reliable. Besides, there will be within short
time o great influx of Chinese laborers, as
well as of European and Northern emigrants, to
increase the production. Within three or four
years, probably, there will be as large or
larger crop of cotton raised than in any year
before the war. The British manufacturers,
therefore, need not be alarmed or spend large
sums Of money uselessly in India or elsewhere.
With regard to the American planters, this
news from England of the urgent demand for
their staple is most encouraging. They are
sure to realize from this years crop high
price and abundant means to increase the area
Of cultivation next year. Indeed, there il
every reason to believe that the South, &c
, poor and depressed from the war, will SCOT
become again the richest part Of the country.
With the material and social improvement Of
the Southerners they will soon be relieved
from all political disabilities. The memories
of the war will die out and we shall have peace
and prosperity throughout the land. Let them
! 90 on, then, as they have been going, pru.
IDENTIFY, quietly and attending to their material
interests, and they need have no fear that theil
rich soil and beautiful country will not soor
make them more prosperous and wealthy thar
ever. In material, If not in political sense
. | oottoc ill banana kiur a0atn