Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-07-09
Especial CCrrespOndence.)

Dor has very recently issued an in
teresting compilation of facts regard
ing the attempts of various foreign
countries to grow cotton and which
can not fail to be of interest to the
cotton planters of the south. FCr
som time several foreign countries
have been experimenting in cotton
culture with view of becoming in
dependent Cf the United States so far
as the 1eecy staple is concerned.
Therefore at the request if the de-
partment of labor the state depart.
ment at Washington last December
instructed it's consular and diplomatic
representatives abroad. and especial
ly to England, Spain, Portugal,
France, Germany. Italy and the Meth
tion in the premises and submit the
same to the American government
at the earliest opportunity. This is
Just what has been lone in the compi-
lation issued by the department of
commerce and labor. In addition
there is published a statement rela-
tive to the Mexican cotton tree and
its products.
Concerning the efforts to grow cCt
ton in French dependencies, our am
hassadcr to Paris says that while the
"experiments have by no means been
completed, it nevertheless is possible
prognosticate good results so far
as the West African country is con-
cerned
Our minister to Spain says that
there is a great deal of agitation in
that country in favor of the growing
Of an independent cotton supply when
ever prices in the American markets
take marked upward turn. When
the regular level is again reached, the
talk dies out fer the most part. and
no practical results have followed
anything that has been done in the
past. ue IulilSlSt say 'ha', .hSiN
fore. the practical question. sscan cot
tcn be cultivated today in Spain with
commercial success?" remains unans
wered. It may be safely said, how
ever. that as yet there is no indica-
ton that any appreciable contribu-
ton will be made by Spain to the cot
ton crop of the world.
All this is interesting, of course,
hut it has no essentially important
bearing on the main subject for nei-
ther France nor Spain were expected
K. do much in the way Of growing the
white staple. Great Britain and Ger
many are the nations which are MAX
ING the greatest efforts to become in
oenendent of the United States, and
reports concerning the work they are
doing will therefore be looked for
ward tc with the keenest possible in
terest. The reports from Italy and
Portugal. are merely official state-
nents. in the native language. and
have no real interest.
The Mexican Cotton Tree.
An interesting mass of Information
regarding the Mexican cotton tree
comes from our consul general in the
CITY of Mexico. Among other things
he incloses a letter sent him by J. j.
FitzeereIl. who says in part: "'
The tree grows wild or cultivated IN
almost every state in Mexico. teei
confident that investigation will prove
i tc he immune from the boil weevll,
it's staple to be equal in every re-
snect to the staple produced by the
cotton plant of the United States, and
its culture to be commercial sue
cess.
"There are several varieties OF the
tree cotton. producing different
lengths and grades of staple, as we'll
as different shades, from pure whlte
TO a maroon. One variety, growing
IN the isthmus of Tehauntepec. under
lroper tropical climatic conoltiohs'
nreduces the staple continuously
Other varieties. under certain condl-
tons Of climate, produce enc ana TWO
crcns annually. On the highlands OF
the northern states of Mexico the
tree withstands the frosts and cola
weather successfully. ine
+,eo grows from fifteen to twenty fee'
eiah and it's trunk from six to t"elVe
;~chos in diameter 1t is very haroy
rv~hstands drouths and HOODS aho
crows successfully on rocky barren
eat, in the valleys and on the hills aho
,.---,tain sides as we'll as in the rlci
g.vs and tablelands OF vegetapie