58 



benefit, it would increase its revenue, and at the 

 same time provide a remedy against absolute starva- 

 tion in case of bad harvests ; while on the principle 

 that industry begets industry, some new source of 

 wealth might arise or be resuscitated, just as the 

 opening of the jute trade caused the revival of the 

 whale fishery in Baffin's Bay. 



27. As a general rule, I am no advocate for 

 Se e r r e n n? e en Vith Government interfering with, or trying 



established crops . . n , 



not desirable, to improve, the culture of the crops 

 already established ; for past experience has shewn 

 that an absence of practical knowledge has in- 

 variably led to failure, while, at the same time, 

 the increased expense attending Government or 

 European agency absorbs any profit that may 

 accrue from an improved system of culture. 

 The following extract from a Government Blue 

 Book, published in 1874, supports these views : 

 " Owing to ignorance of the country and its agricul- 

 tural customs, the farms established by Govern- 

 ment have not made an average out-turn equal to 

 that obtained by the native cultivators. These farms 

 have been started with the intention of teaching- 

 agriculture to the natives of India ; the real lesson 

 has been, that, given their means and soil and cli- 

 mate, it is absolutely necessary first to master their 

 system. In fact, the native cultivators know a great 

 deal more than they were given credit for."* Again, 



* Statement, exhibiting the Moral and Material Progress and Condition 

 of India during the year 1872-73. Ordered by the House of Commons to 

 be printed 2nd June, 1874. 



