12 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



Sheep. — The advantage of crossing Dumba ranis with 

 the local sheep for the production of mutton having been 

 demonstrated, breeding for mutton has been given up, and 

 an attempt is being made to improve the wool of the local 

 sheep by crossing with Merinos, as mentioned in last year's 

 report. 



Poultry. — In view of the general interest now evinced 

 in poultry keeping in the Provinces it has been decided to 

 limit the functions of Pusa to the importation of pure bred 

 birds to maintain the breeds kept on Provincial farms. The 

 Assistant to the Agricultural Adviser to the Government of 

 India is in touch with breeders at home and is prepared to 

 give his advice or assistance to intending importers. No 

 poultry are now kept at the Pusa Farm. 



IV. — General. 



All the available farm land has been brought under 

 cultivation. 



Manuring with superphosphate has become part of the 

 routine practice of the farm as a result of the proof of the 

 economic value of that manure in the experimental plots. 



Considerably better crops have been obtained in recent 

 years and with the high cultivation now rendered possible 

 an economic necessity is beginning to appear of growing 

 more valuable crops, or varieties with sufficient strength of 

 root and stem to support a higher yield than any obtainable 

 from the varieties now available. 



V. — Programme of work for 1914-15. 

 The following are the lines of work in progress : — 



Major investigations. 



1. The economics of cultivation by steam and motor 

 engines. 



2. The puddling of rice land by the double engine 

 system of steam cultivation. 



3. The combination of irrigation and drainage in the 

 growing of rice.. 



