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   GIUSEPPE DEVINCENZI
   stricts included within this zone, which do not rise more than 500 feet above the level of the sea, and are not more than 55 kilometers distant from the same, especially if they possess a southern or eastern aspect, are adapted to this species of cultivation. Everyone is aware that the cotton plant tìourishes particularly where there is sea-air. At least the seventh part of the districts comprised in this vast zone, or 22 000 square kilometers, is capable of producing cotton.
   But, before prosecuting our inquiries further, it is necessary to examine the amount of produce capable of being obtained from the cultivation of cotton in Italy.
   From the infinite variety of statistical details TLe produce which the Royal Commission have succeeded in ÌQ ooUecting from the different provinces of the kingdom, it results that, at present, a hectare of land produces generally, in Italy. from 250 to G00 kilograms of cotton thoroughly pichked. In the provinces of Salerno and of Naples, it is far from rare to obtain a crop of 700 kilograms per hectare. In many of our provinces, where cotton is, or may be, cultivated, the sistem of agricul-ture must be greatly improved. Under a good system of cultivation, the mean annual produce of cotton in Italy cannot be less than 450 kilograms per hectare.
   It is of the greatest importance that we should form an accurate idea of the peculiar cotton plants hitherto cultivated in Italy. We have spared no pains to ascertain their nature and qualities. From ali the provinces of the Italian Kingdom there have reached us the same cottons, hearing very different names and at very difie-rent prices. A careful inquiiy appeared to us to be necessary for the purpose of determining wlietber