The Gazetteers Department

Attempts were made from 1939 onwards by the Government, to enhance the value of Khandesh cotton, by improving the staple length and putting an end to adulteration. The then collectors of the district made facilities available with a view to encouraging research of the most suitable variety. Loans were advanced and two American planters, Mr. Blout of Gorakhpur and Mr. Simpson of Madras were appointed superintendents of cotton experiments in Khandesh in the year 1844. Time and again, a variety called New Orleans was tried but with little success, because it suffered either from draught or excess rainfall and disease, with the result that by 1854, the cultivation of New Orleans dwindled to only 12 acres. From 1860 when Mr. Ashburner was appointed collector, Government efforts were renewed to improve Khandesh cotton. A new seed from Berar, viz., Hinganghat was tried. In 1864 under the New Cotton Frauds Act (IX of 1863), adulteration decreased considerably. Presses were opened at Jalgaon and Bhusawal, and a cotton cleaning company was started at Jalgaon. According to the Cotton Trade Association (1880), Hinganghat was the best variety for Khandesh. Different constituents were tried at the Agricultural Research Station, Dhulia, during 1906— 1914 and it was observed that the variety Rosea (N.R.) gave higher yield and had also the higher ginning percentage. However, its staple length was not more than half an inch. The type Dh. 1 was tried at Jalgaon after 1921; it has the same yielding capacity as that of N.R., but it was superior to N.R. in ginning outturn and staple length. In 1934 NV 56=3 called Jarilla was found outstandingly superior in quality to N.R. and Banilla. From the cross of Jarilla X NRS one segregate 197 = 3 was isolated in 1943 and given out for general cultivation under the popular name Virnar in 1949. The farmer is expected to get an extra income of Rs. 40 per acre by growing Virnar in place of Jarilla. Further research work is in progress to isolate a type which is superior to Virnar in fibre qualities and resistant to wilt. By the end of 1955-56 an area of 2,37,936 acres was under cultivation of the Virnar variety of cotton. Following steps have also been taken for propagating the use of Virnar cotton, viz..

(a) maintenance of purity by climinating impure varieties.

(b) marketing of cotton seed on co-operative basis.

(d) enforcement of various Cotton Acts in order to maintain purity of quality of Virnar cotton.

The new Khandesh Cotton Breeding Scheme is concerned with research on the Virnar variety.

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