148 AGRICULTURE IN THE TROPICS [PT. Ill 



It is a main thesis of this book to point out how complex 

 such improvement or progress really is. The scientific improve- 

 ment of crops or methods is only one factor, and by no means, 

 in the present comparatively poor condition of most tropical 

 countries, the most important. One may easily conceive of an 

 improvement, which, though an absolute improvement, yet 

 would bring distress instead of benefit to the cultivators by 

 lowering the price obtained for the increased yield. 



Or imagine the case of a man who has two crops A and B 

 for sale. A is all produced, and all used, in the country. An 

 improvement is introduced : the first to employ it make better 

 profit but soon everyone else is forced to adopt it in self- 

 defence, and the net result is consequently nil, except a gain in 

 efficiency, and an improvement in the financial position of those 

 who were enterprising enough to adopt it promptly. B is 

 produced in many countries, and has a world market, like 

 wheat, rubber, or tea. Again an improvement will benefit first 

 those who first try it, but even if all in the country take it up, 

 they may all benefit, till this or another as good is adopted 

 elsewhere. Of course there are many other possibilities 

 besides A and B ; these are only brought forward to show the 

 complicated nature of the problem. Agriculture is an art, not 

 a science, though it has a science 1 . 



1 An interesting analysis of the present condition of peasant agriculture in 

 Grenada, showing the proper scientific way of setting about agricultural im- 

 provement, is to be found in a paper by G. Auchioleck, in the West Indian 

 Bulletin, vol. xin, 1912, p. 83. 



