COLtTVAZIONE DEL COTONE
   291
   «A-^^EITIDIX E,
   (From the Fifth Amual Report of the Executive Committee of the Cotton Supply Association),
   ITALY.
   Fifty years ago Italy supplied nearly the whole of the cotton consumed in the chief markets of Europe. Subse-quently, the sad condition of the Southern Provinces, owin* to the deficiency in drainage, irrigation, and road commu-nication, led to the almost entire abandonment of cotton culture, it being impossible, under such circumstances and with depressed prices, to compete with America and India. The present annual production may be estimated at from 20 000 to 25 000 bales. The Italian Government is taking thoroughly practicai measures to remove the obstacles in the way of a speeily revival of the culture. In many provinces land and manual labour are cheap, and the road communications are being improved. It is said by good authorities that the cotton can now be grown profitably at from 4d. to 6(1. per lb. With these advantages, and its proxi-mity to the principal markets of Europe, Italy ought in a few years to become a very important source of supply. The extensive and fine collection of Italian samples in the London Exhibition, afford most statisfactory evidence as to the quality of staple which Italy is capable of producing.
   
   THE GENERAL LAND DRAINAGE AND IMPROVEMENT COMPANIES.
   We purpose to explain here briefly how these compa-nies are constituted in England, as we think they might be easily introduced into Italy, with great advantage to our agriculture. Although the English Government has pro-moted the work of drainage by granting loans to landed proprietors, yet private companies have met with great sue-