REVIEWS 517 



Agriculture in the Tropics. By J. C. Willis, M.A., Sc.D. [Pp. xviii + 222.] 

 (Cambridge : University Press, 1909. Price 7s. 6d. net.) 



IN dealing with the application and usefulness of this book, it is essential to 

 recognise, as the author carefully points out, that " no attempt has been made to 

 write a book for the practical man to use in connection with his field work. The 

 effort has been to produce a book that may be helpful and thought-stimulating to 

 the student, the administrator or the traveller." Perhaps it would have been well 

 if this special line of treatment had been more completely indicated in the title of 

 the book ; for there are two dangers apparent — that the practical man may turn 

 to it for information it does not profess to afford, and that the student, administrator 

 or traveller may not realise the extent to which the book may prove of interest and 

 value to him. 



The opinion may safely be expressed that the book is likely to prove a useful 

 and important one, provided that it can secure the attention of the class to whom 

 it appeals. Those engaged in organising agricultural enterprises in the tropics, 

 particularly those whose duties are associated with Botanic Gardens and Experi- 

 ment Stations and similar efforts connected with Government organisations or the 

 organisations of powerful bodies of associated planters, will be grateful to 

 Dr. Willis for his work. 



The tendency is to discuss agricultural problems in a broad, philosophic spirit ; 

 questions relating to land and soil, labour, cultivation, finance, education, and 

 kindred matters are dealt with in this manner. 



With regard to the crops which constitute the principal cultivations of the 

 tropics, the plan is to discuss first the general history of each crop in relation to 

 the countries where it is chiefly cultivated, to give some statistics indicating its 

 importance and extent, followed by a very brief outline of the normal methods of 

 cultivation and the diseases to which the crop is liable ; finally, there are put 

 forward suggestions as to the probable future of the industry, and the lines of 

 thought and action which may be followed to advantage in efforts to improve, 

 develop, or extend the industry in question. While the practical details of 

 cultivating, preparing, and marketing are given only in outline, the suggestions 

 bearing on the various lines of policy calculated to improve or develop each 

 industry are likely to be of considerable interest. 



Space does not permit of a critical review of the author's views concerning each 

 individual crop ; from the circumstances of his surroundings there is naturally 

 considerable prominence given to matters relating to the Eastern tropics, and 

 particularly to Ceylon, though his range of inquiry covers, in most cases, tropical 

 countries as a whole. Were it not that the desire is to draw particular attention 

 to the broad administrative problems connected with tropical agriculture, and the 

 danger that a discussion of details might obscure this, we might be disappointed 

 that more detailed information is not given concerning each crop — that the treat- 

 ment is scanty may be judged, for example, from the fact that the three crops 

 coffee, cacao, and kola are dealt with in less than ten pages. 



In the early days of European interest in tropical agriculture, efforts were 

 principally directed towards the introduction of new crops, and interesting and 

 important are the results achieved. These efforts necessitated the maintenance 

 of botanic gardens and kindred institutions, which have eventually exerted a most 

 pronounced and beneficial influence on the development of tropical agriculture 

 throughout the world ; and it is significant that Dr. Willis can write with convic- 

 tion that, " without the aid of the Botanic Gardens, Ceylon would have remained 



