Cotton plant
Original title: Algodoeiro
Short account of attempts to grow cotton (Gossypium herbaceum and G. arboreum) in Madeira in the 19th century, a crop now apparently extinct on the island.
The cultivation of Gossypium herbaceum was attempted in Madeira at the beginning of the 19th century. In an official letter of 20 March 1802, the then minister Dom Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho informed the captain-general (capitão-general, military governor of Madeira) Dom José Manuel da Câmara that the Prince Regent, the future John VI, had learnt with great satisfaction of the progress of this crop on the island. In 1863 fresh cotton seed was brought to Madeira, but few farmers took an interest in growing the plant at that time. Gossypium arboreum also thrives in the lower zone (coastal belt) of Madeira, but both this species and G. herbaceum now appear to be completely extinct on the island.
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Portuguese Prince Regent (the future D. João VI), reported in 1802 to be pleased with Madeira's cotton cultivation.
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Captain-general of Madeira who received the 1802 official letter praising the progress of cotton cultivation.
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Portuguese minister who in 1802 informed the governor of Madeira of the Prince Regent's satisfaction with the island's cotton-growing progress.