Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-07-24
WEST AFRICAN COTTON.

enterprising firm of shipowners at
that great port is sending experts to
the west coast Of Africa to institute
experiments in the growing of cotton
in that region. Writing upon the sub
ject to the state department, Mr..
Boyle says:
In the early SOS cotton growing was
started on the west coast Of Africa,
the incentive being the opportunity
afforded by the disorganization of the
cotton trade consequent on the civil
war. The experiments cannot be con-
sidered to have been a success. Liver
pool received nearly all the cotton ex-
ported from West Africa. In 1864,
Ito bales were received here. The
largest number Of bales received since
then was in 1869, when 19,300 bales
came to Liverpool. Since that date
the figures have f1uctuated, showing a
tendency, however, to a steady de-
crease. In 1870, $4,000 bales Of West
African cotton were imported into
Liverpool; in 1880, the number Of bales
was STA; in 1890, 1888 bales arrived;
in 1895, POI; the next year not one
bale was received; in 1897, just one SOL
itary bale came, and since then few
hundred bales have annually been i'm
ported. The West African cotton that
has come here has been Of the short
staple variety, and not Of a very good
color. 1t is, however, a fairly good
cotton. with a better staple than the
Fast Indian. When middling Ameri-
can was quoted last year at II cents.
West African was quoted at 81 to 10
cents.
The Germans are trying to establish
cotton growing in their west coast COL
onies. Cotton growing has also been
introduced in the French West African
colonies: and only recently. enquiry
was received by Elder. Dempster &
Co.. as to freight charges for a cargo
of cotton from Dahomey to Liverpool
The district in British West Africa in
which it is proposed to make the spe-
cial cotton growing experiment is
Lagos. Quite recently. a sample Of
cotton came to Liverpool from Lagos
and was pronounced very good. It is
proposed also to make experiments un-
der British auspices in Sierra Leone
and Liberia.
Liverpool cotton men do not attach
much Importance to this new enter
prise although some interest is being
taken In 1t. The general opinion here
is that our Southern States will always
have a monopoly Of producing the cot
ton mostly in favor not only in the
United States, but on the Continent
and in England, for general purposes.
Suggestions have been made that
Egyptian cotton might In time be pro-
duced in such quantities as to be a
rival to American cotton;
but there does not seem to be much
foundation for this suggestion, the
Egyptian cotton being best suited, ow-
ing to its long and fine staple, for
special purposes, and what Is more i'm
portant the production will always be
comparatively very limited, even when
the great irrigation system, now In
course Of construction, is in full oper-
alton. Experiments on the west coast
Of Africa may, however, develop into an
actual (although comparatively snalD
competitive trade with the cotton
growing industry Of the Southern
States. It is only bare possibility,
however.
An attempt will be made to accli-
matize American cotton seed on the
west coast; but the chances are that
the cotton which will be produced
from this seed will not be identical
with, nor as good as, the home pro-
duct. That has been found from other
made in different parts of
the world with American cotton seed.
Experts here doubt very much wheth-
er the west coast Of Africa can ever
produce as good cotton as the South
ern States. and yet it Is difficult for
to give a well-founded judg-
ment, as heretofore cotton growing on
the west coast has not been on a scien-
tific basis.
1t might occur to American cotton
men that the extra distance from the
west coast of Africa to Liverpool
Lagos Is 4,3S7 miles from Liverpool,)
as compared with that from the Amer
lean seaboard. would permanently pre-
vent west coast cotton from compet-
ing with American cotton. It should
be borne in mind, however, that the
American cotton, or rather the Eng
lish buyer, is handicapped by the fact
that In most cases ships have to make
the return trip largely in ballast, so
that one voyage across the Atlantic
must practically pay for two. This Is
because the ships have little or no car
60 to take westward. With the west
coast, however, it would be different.
The trade between Liverpool and the
west coast of Africa Is profitable both
ways, the ships bringing all sorts of
raw material from Africa to Liverpool
and taking back full cargoes Of man.
articles. It's West African
trade is one of the most prosperous
that Liverpool has, and it Is growing
all the time. The development Of cot