elsewhere, radical and most important changes have taken place, but it remains to be proved that the results, as regards Cotton, were correctly anticipated.

Enough, it is hoped, has now been advanced to show that to whatever extent the absence of irrigation works, the paucity of roads, the nature of the land tenure, &c., were obstacles in the way of the healthy growth of the Cotton Trade, these were all secondary influences, and of minor importance compared to those inherent evils which would have stunted the growth of the trade, no matter how favorable all extraneous circumstances might have been.

In conclusion, I would express a hope that the analysis of evidence presented in this introductory chapter will be found, if brief, at least clear and impartial. Some of the matter discussed, being still subject of controversy, would have been passed over in silence, had such a course been thought consistent with the object of the compilation, which is to furnish an abstract of all the evidence on record, which directly concerns the question of Cotton cultivation in India; and the reader has not been left without ample materials from which he may judge for himself whether or not the conclusions suggested be warranted by the evidence adduced.

PART I.

Section I.

LOWER PROVINCES OF BENGAL.

A PERSON proposing to obtain, concerning any country, information which should throw light on its capabilities for producing some particular commodity, would, I presume, first of all enquire into those general physical conditions, on the correct appreciation of which his ultimate success must always, in a great measure, depend.

General aspect of Bengal.

If we approach our subject from this point of view, and consider Bengal as including the vast area extending from the southern extremity of the Arracan territory, to the north-east frontier of Upper Assam, thence to the boundary of Goruckpore, and southwards to the northern limits of the country of the Northen Sircars, we shall find that in reference to its Cotton producing capabilities. it may conveniently be divided into three portions, each of which presents to the agriculturist certain natural peculiarities clearly definable, sometimes even strongly contrasted, and always of primary importance to him.

Detailed information not available.

Before proceeding to indicate these divisions,

I must remind the reader that the sources from which the information contained in this volume. is derived, can lay claim neither to the depth attainable by scientific research, nor to the copiousness which systematic investigation would have ensured: we have instead, a vast accumulation of desultory observations, which, although often very

interesting in themselves, and often suggestive of the most important conclusions, most frequently only show, to quote the words of Dr. Royle, "How little attention has been paid, or at least how little "information is given us respecting the attention that was paid, to "all the points essential to ensure success in culture, and improve"ment in produce. Also how seldom any attempts are made, or "reasons given, to explain the cause of failure. We find, as was to "be expected, equal inattention to, if not ignorance of, the principles. The majority also appear wise only after personal experience, and paying little attention to that of their predecessors. For "we find that the same course is followed, the same results are obtained, "and continue to be announced as new, although we have had "them on record for a series of years."

It is then obvious that if such be the nature of our materials, we must content ourselves with a very superficial view of such a question as the physical aspect of the country.

The three fold division above spoken of is on this wise:

The Seaboard.

The Alluvial Flat.

The Uplands.

And we shall now place before the reader a short sketch of each in turn.

1st. THE SEABOARD.

From Cape Negrais on the south-east, all round the head of the Bay of Bengal to below Point Palmyras on the south-west, a band of country, of a width not accurately definable, stretches along the coast, characterised as a whole by peculiarities of soil, climate, &c., which serve to render it distinct from the inland country beyond, and which, in

* D. F. Royle, Culture and Commerce of Cotton in India, page 92.

reference to their influence on the growth of the Cotton plant, all reasonable analogy teaches us to regard as of the most vital importance.

After what has been premised on the subject of the incompleteness of our information, it may perhaps be thought needless to point out that it is only in the very roughest kind of classification that the sand hills of Hidgelee and Orissa, and the mangrove swamps of the Soonderbunds could be found grouped together, and along with the rocky shores of part of Arracan—a better arrangement is however beyond our reach : we know also, that however great the variety which exists, and however widely different the conditions which obtain within this seaboard tract, any two of its most strongly contrasted localities still have something in common which, while it serves as a connecting link between them, furnishes at the same time fair reasons for considering them as distinct from the rest of the country: peculiarities of climate due to a common position near the sea, forms a very important element in such resemblances, and the presence of certain ingredients in their soil, traceable to the same fact, is also important.

Of this seaboard area, taken as a whole, very little seems to be known; very little information has at least been found recorded. Some few details will be found under the head of the districts which include portions of it, especially where any experiments in Cotton-growing have been instituted: but even of these experiments we know little: only a very few to have been made, and the accounts of these are very appear meagre. Opinions have indeed been very strongly expressed by many persons, and many considerations advanced à priori, in favor of different parts of the Bengal seaboard as Cotton-growing districts: it has been argued that among the many varieties of site included within this tract, some localities will certainly be found, sufficiently like in general conditions, to those somewhat similarly situated districts in America, where the finest Cotton is grown, to warrant a reasonable expectation that fine Cotton might be grown here also.

A comparison of what is actually recorded relative to the experiments made, with such à priori considerations, leaves the impression, that as less is absolutely known of the capabilities of this area, so more is asserted of its possible advantages: the inverse being of course equally true, namely, that in proportion to the brilliancy of the prospects which are sometimes held out, is the obscurity of the darkness which still hides the path towards fruition.

Land is however stated to be easily obtained, cheap, and abundant : labor is asserted to be not a greater difficulty here than it would prove in some of the best of the upland jungul districts: no roads are required, water-carriage being everywhere at hand: the cost of transporting the crop to the ship's side would be so slight as to make no appreciable difference in its price in short, it may be considered as more than probable that a moderately successful cultivation would suffice to realize considerable profits here.

Meanwhile the test of actual trial, on a scale calculated to ensure positive results, still remains to be applied.

2nd.-THE ALLUVIAL FLAT.

Lying between the seaboard on the one hand, and the uplands on the other, and rendered distinct from each by many characteristic peculiarities, lies the great alluvial flat of Bengal. Monotonous as the sameness of its dead level at first sight appears to the eye, there are, without doubt, included within its limits, certain varieties of soil, climate, and general physical characters, which must in practice be of great importance to the agriculturist. It is of course quite beyond our power to offer a very satisfactory account of even the most prominent of these but there is one physical fact which is of considerable interest and importance in connection with this great area, and which is at the same time so easily recognised, and so often influences the result of

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