AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1915-16 25 



less the latter is well worthy of consideration even under 

 the present conditions of production. If, however, an 

 increase in yield is brought about by changing the variety 

 or by better methods of cultivation, the surplus left over for 

 export will increase and India will then take a larger share 

 in the wheat production of the Empire. There can be 

 little doubt that such a result is easily possible. At pre- 

 sent, the great plains of India do not produce half of what 

 is possible. With a few simple improvements, the alluvial 

 soils of India could be made to grow twice their present 

 crops and the Punjab and the United Provinces would then 

 become the most important bread-basket of the Empire. 

 Wheat-growing is at present one of the great neglected and 

 undeveloped natural industries of India. The capital for 

 -expansion is lying ready to hand in the shape of a marvel- 

 lously fertile soil when properly managed, while in the 

 cultivator and in his oxen is the foundation of the labour 

 force necessary for development. 



In consequence of the extension of indigo cultivation in 

 Bihar, the area of Pusa 12 put down for seed on the estates 

 was considerably restricted. In spite of the high prices of 

 indigo, over 3,000 maunds of seed of this type were supplied 

 to Mr. Burt for distribution in the United Provinces. 



Pusa 4- The circumstances of soil and climate in some 

 of the wheat-growing tracts of India are such that a rapidly 

 maturing variety is one of the conditions of progress. In 

 tracts like Bundelkhand, some of the Central India States, 

 the southern portions of the Bombay Presidency and parts 

 -of Bihar, a wheat is required which can ripen quickly with 

 a short supply of moisture and which can also resist the 

 -early rusts. In such tracts, deep-rooting, high-yielding 

 kinds are useless and producing power has to give place to 

 the insurance of the yield in years of average soil moisture. 

 In such areas, Pusa 4 is giving good results and is being 

 taken up by the cultivators. The demand for seed is 

 increasing and for several years to come the surplus pro-, 

 duce from the indigo estates in Bihar is likely to continue to 

 find a ready market. Pusa 4 is a large-grained, attractive- 

 looking wheat which at once finds favour with the cultiva- 



