SUPPLY OF COTTON FOR 1863.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 48, 24 April 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

SUPPLY OF COTTON FOR 1863.

i In a paper which was published about three weeks since, on the resources of the cotton trade for the next year, we gave our reasons for believing ihat Great Britain wonld most probably receive and retain cotton enough in 1863 lo afford to the operatives nearly four days' work a week if equally distributed. Some parties are inclined to think ouv estimates too favorable ; and it is especially impugned by a letter from Zurich, and by one from Liverpool published last week. Our readers must, as far as they can, judge for themselves. We can only s-iy that our calculation was formed upon the best information held by parties most immediately concerned. Two points, however, we failed to advert to, which might have to some extent modified our conclusions One of these our correspondent mentions.. There is no doubt that the average weight of the bales imported from Egypt, Brazil* and India is less than that of American bales, and that 1,800,000 of the former will by no means equal 1,800,000 of the latter in the net amount of cotton they will yield for manufacturing. The Indian, cotton, too, being shorter and dirtier than the American, loses more waste in the various processes it undergoes, and yields; therefore, less yarn and cloth. All this is true, and a considerable per centage must be allowed on these accounts.

But, on the other hand, it must be remembered, first, that the cotton being much more expensive than formerly, wil I be used more economically and worked up more closely — made to . go further in effect ; secondly, that certain imperfectsubstitutes, especially waste flax, are being employed along with the regular staple, and displace a perceptible, though not perhaps any large portion of it; thirdly, that the cotton which, in ordinary and cheap years was extensively used to mix with woollen and flax goods, is, now that it has become more costly, not wanted for that purpose, and is, therefore, available for its legitimate objects ; and fourthly, that Indian cotton, requiring move manipulation than the superior American fibre, employs more hands, or employs an equal number for a longer time. It needs < more cleansing and more carding, and it tuust beospnn (jjUWt^agT woven) on machinery going at 'imwv speed. Hot* for all these conridenfioM may in the aggregate eounterbalapeetlMW^ on the other side it is not «aay to do ONtoaC, than 1 cbnjecj^fc— JEwnomist. *■*'* ,- , " C \>. -