GROWING OF COTTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 26, 30 December 1925, Page 4

GROWING OF COTTON

START MADE IN SAMOA. GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED. APIA (Samoa), Dec. 19. Many people were pessimistic when General Richardson put forward his cotton-growing scheme; the planters and traders did not favour the idea. Some of them, however, decided to try a small experiment and inter-plant cotton with the cocoa. One man, for instance, put three acres under cotton, and his result has been so satisfactory that he intends with the coming season to put down -20 acres. He has appreciated tho advantages of a quick crop, and believes that tho cotton will not only pay tho expenses of weeding the cocoa blocks, but will also show a fair profit as well. Another cocoa planter has decided to put down lo acres in cotton. Cotton has a big advantage over cocoa, because tho former is a necessity and the latter is not; and, further, one lias to wait three years before getting results from cocoa, and in the other case one lvas to waft for only a few months. All the finer kinds of cotton can be grown in Samoa, and this point is one that should not be overlooked. The General’s idea with this production may lead to something very big in days to come. The cotton-growing experiment with the Samoans has produced good results; it is hoped that next year will see a big advance in this direction with tho natives. For some time past the cotton has been steadily coming in to Apia, where the small ginning plant worked under the supervision of the Agricultural Department has been kept busy. It is estimated that three or four tons will soon be ready for shipment. This is a fair beginning, and it is hoped that tho output next year will bo increased to 30 or 40 tons. Tho climate is particularly suitable for cotton. In former days largo areas were planted with this product.