5 i8 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



a small and unimportant native possession." Other similar instances of usefulness 

 would not be difficult to specify. 



This phase of the work is, however, rapidly lessening in importance, for it is 

 obvious that, as time goes on, the introduction and acclimatisation of foreign 

 products in any one colony or possession must decrease in importance, for the 

 simple reason that most of the new products that can possibly be brought in are 

 now introduced and the chance of finding anything of great value becomes less 

 every year. Thus, during the last twenty years the Ceylon Gardens have not been 

 able to introduce anything of much value, though they may have been able to 

 bring in a few minor fruits, shade trees, and other things ; and during the last ten 

 years a great change has come over the organisation of the establishment, which 

 has expanded into a Department of Agriculture to suit the changed needs of the 

 colony. 



This gives us the keynote of the situation — the change from efforts to introduce 

 new crops to efforts to organise the methods of dealing with those now estab- 

 lished, though it must be remembered that there is no relaxation of efforts in the 

 former direction when favourable opportunities occur. 



The various problems which arise under this changed order of things are well 

 stated by Dr. Willis, and all who are in any way responsible for, or associated 

 with, this work will be helped and stimulated by a careful study of the book. 

 Particularly may this be commended to the attention of those in administrative 

 capacities in tropical colonies, for it is evident in many cases that an intelligent 

 comprehension of the agricultural needs of a colony is essential to good govern- 

 ment and wise administration. The chapters on organisation and policy are full 

 of suggestions of the highest import, in a form calculated to be of very great 

 service to Government officers throughout the tropics. A careful study of the 

 problems and the suggested lines of treatment will do much to secure that breadth 

 of view and that continuity of policy so essential for the success of the many 

 efforts at present in formative stage, and so capable of being made or marred by 

 administrative officers in whose hands they lie. 



Officers in charge of, or associated with, Departments of Agriculture, Botanic 

 Gardens, or Experiment Stations, will find much that will prove of assistance in 

 their work. Part I. will make it plain to them that the agricultural methods that 

 are employed in old tropical countries are the outcome of long experience, and 

 that, although conditions are arising, and have arisen, which necessitate the 

 making of changes, these changes must take place gradually ; while those who 

 are stimulating agricultural progress, and are guiding it into new channels, cannot 

 afford to ignore the lessons that may be taught by the methods that are displaced. 

 By Part II. their appreciation of the extent and variety of tropical cultivations 

 will be increased, and they may be led to do more in the matter of experimental 

 trials with new crops. Though the subject-matter in Part III. has its chief 

 application to tropical countries where agricultural methods, however primitive, 

 have been in vogue for ages, chapters iv. and v. contain material which will be 

 found useful under any and every condition. Lastly, in Part IV. they will find 

 information which will bring them into sympathy with the aims and objects of 

 those who direct their energies, and will enable them to see the way in which 

 their more particularised work can be directed so as to make those aims thoroughly 

 efficient. 



To the planter, as well, who is recognising more and more the desire for his 

 co-operative aid on the part of those who have charge of the administrative work 

 of his country, and who knows the great value of such co-operation, a large portion 



