The Tupelo journal., 1902-11-21

fraser. We reproduce the following In
teresting history from Latham, Alex.
anders 4 Co.'S "Cotton Movement
issued recently;
1921. The cotton plant had
been found growing IN a wild state
by the first settlers Of the south
western portion Of our country,
but the year 1921 is generally re-
garded as the first year of cotton
culture in the United States. Seed,
probably from the Levant or the
East Indies, was planted as an
experiment, and its plentiful com :
iLg up was at that early day a SUBJ
! ject of interest in America and
England.
Its cultivation was for a long
time limited to small patches for
domestic use. Among a list of
articles!growing or to be had in
the Virginia Colony in 1921 cot
ton wool is mentioned; value, Sd
per pound, fax Sd.
But cotton planting in Virginia
never reached large proportions.
Tobacco-growing was found to be
more profitable. Labor was scarce
and dear, so that the cost of hand
cleaning, or separating the fibre
from the seed by hand, before a
gin was invented, exceeded the
market value of the cotton so
cleaned. From Virginia the cul-
ture extended northward to Mary
land, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and
even New Jersey, down to the
slime of the Revolutionary War.
1888. Cotton seed was brought
into Carolina by Peter Purry, who
settled a colony of Swiss near
Purrysburg; but, from previous
mention made, it is evident that
some kind of cotton preceded his
planting.
1884. About this time cotton
was planted in Georgia from seed
sent to the trustees from England.
In a deposition taken in Lon,lon
in 1899 for the use OF ths trustees
of the Georgia grant it is stated
"that the climate of Georgia is
very healthy, and the climate and
soil very fit for raising silk, wine
and cotton, all of which produces
may be raised by white persons
without the aid of negroes"
1741. A sample of Georgia
cotton was taken to England.
1742 In Louisiana cotton cnl-
ture must have already become
quite extensive, for we find that
in this year a planter of that
State, Mr.. Dubreuil, invented a
machine for separating the seed
from the fibre; probably only an
adjustment of rollers. 1t greatly
stimulated planting in that colony.
1747. During this year several
bags Of Carolina cotton we're ex-
ported from Charleston.
1853. We find the first cotton
premium recorded. A liberal citi-
zen of Delaware offe RS "G4 for the
most and best cotton off an acre"
ITO. Shipments to Liverpool,
ten bales from Charleston, three
bales from New York, four bags
from Virginia and three barrels
full from North Carolina. About
this year Southern planters began
turning their attention to the cul-
tivation Of cotton as a staple crop.
ITS. The first mandatory
for cotton, flax and wool was
established in Philadelphia.
Throughout the Revolution this
factory was supplied with native
cotton at two shillings per pound.
The state of the Colonies during
that period was very similar to
that of the South during our late
war; that they were almost entire.
ly dependent on foreign manufac.
turtles was shown by the destitu-
ton of the people and the armies
The ragged condition Of the
American soldiers and officers is
well known. Even when Wash.
ington's army was partially cloth.
ed, it was in English cloth brought
to America by way Of Holland.
1884. About fourteen bales oil
American cotton were shipped tt
England, of which eight bales