Chapter 226: A Cotton Research Project
"Cotton? This is the first time I’ve seen it fresh from the plant! I thought it only grew in Dracor due to the warmer climate there," Anna remarked, surprised by its presence in the kingdom.
"Yes, indeed. But this is a different kind of cotton, originating from seeds that His Highness brought back after his travels a few years ago," Tony explained. "He purchased it from a peddler who claimed it came from a distant land. I was given a few bags of seeds and sowed them."
"It must be challenging to grow," Meredith commented.
"It was. I failed to grow this cotton numerous times, so His Highness stopped asking me about it. However, I eventually found the right way to cultivate it, and it thrived. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to tell His Highness about my success since he moved out," the gardener said.
"What’s the difference between this type and the common one?" asked Sylvia.
"Unlike the typical cotton plants found in Dracor, this variety takes an extra month to mature. However, it has proven to be resilient in Cassian’s weather. While normal cotton wouldn’t grow here, this strain does. Despite the longer growth period, the fibre quality it produces is superior."
Excited by the revelation, Anna couldn’t resist asking, "May I touch it?"
Tony nodded with a warm smile.
"Sure, now is the right time to harvest it. If we wait too long, the fibre will become hardened due to the exposure to cold weather. Let me get some for you. The dried bolls can be quite sharp and might prick your finger," the gardener warned, heading towards the cotton plant.
Anna nodded in agreement, understanding the cautionary note. Tony carefully plucked some cotton from one of the bolls and passed it to Anna for observation.
She accepted appreciatively from Tony’s outstretched hand and observed it closely, noting its unique texture and appearance. The cotton felt soft and delicate in her fingers, yet it had a notable resilience.