Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. For the text given here, see Yeoman, and Australian acclimatiser , 17 October 1863, p. 41. It is dated to August 1863 since the letter to which it is a response was publshed in Manchester on 1 August. The item is introduced by:

We have been favoured by Dr. Mueller with a letter from Mr. Watts, the Secretary of the Manchester Cotton Supply Association, the greater portion of which we subjoin. It will be remembered, that the experiments made some time back with the Sea Island cotton upon the whole turned out a failure. Undeterred by this, Mr. Wingfield, on the Loddon [Loddon River, Vic], repeated the experiment, but this time with the New Orleans, a hardier kind. It will be seen by the report of Mr. Watts, that the result has been to realise a fair success, which promises well for the cotton-growing capabilities of some portions, at least, of Victoria… .

Dear Sir,—

Your esteemed favour of 23rd May, giving cover to the letter of Mr. James Wingfield, duly came to hand,

2

See M to I. Watts, 23 May 1863 (in this edition as 63-05-23a). Wingfield's letter not found.

and has had the best attention of our committee, by whom I am directed to inform you, that they have placed at your service 5 cwt. New Orleans, 3 cwt. Egyptian, and 2 cwt. of Sea Island cotton seeds, and our agents in Liverpool have had instructions to ship the same. By next mail I shall be able to hand you bill of lading. In one of the bags will be enclosed a few pounds each of Peruvian, and Brazilian or chain seed, and I am sorry that these latter descriptions are so scarce at present that we cannot send you larger quantities. The bill of lading will specify which package contains them.

The ordinary Sea Island variety is usually described, botanically, as

Gossypium arboreum

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, but you are doubtless aware that this species does not attain the height in the United States that it is said to grow to in central and South America—15 ft. to 20 ft.; but we understand the kidney or chain seed to be the product of the cotton tree.

There is no doubt that your colony is fully capable of competing successfully with other cotton districts in the growth of this material. The remarks of Mr. Wingfield, and the sample of his produce, alone completely demonstrate the fact.

The cotton appears to be either the New Orleans or the upland description, medium length of staple, strong, and good colour, and is worth at present about 22d. per lb., or equal to middling New Orleans.