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thoroughly well equipped central college which shall 

 serve the needs of those countries for which at the 

 present time there is the greatest demand for trained 

 agriculturists. The tropical countries of the British 

 Empire are, however, scattered, and differ much in their 

 agricultural conditions and needs. It is therefore to be 

 anticipated that the successful establishment of one 

 college will be rapidly followed by others in different 

 countries. It can hardly be questioned that, all things 

 considered, the area now called the Middle East has 

 the first and best claim to be the site of such an institu- 

 tion, and that Ceylon is the country best adapted for the 

 purpose. Ceylon is already the centre of a large 

 agricultural community, both native and European. 

 Openings for well-trained men are numerous and well 

 paid, whilst the general conditions of agricultural prac- 

 tice resemble those of the Straits Settlements and Malay 

 States and Southern India, and also afford a satisfactory 

 training ground for the agriculturist in tropical Africa. 

 Ceylon has a variety of climates, and offers illustrations 

 of the growth of a variety of crops. In particular it is 

 a great centre of agricultural production, and occupies 

 a leading position in the tea and rubber production of 

 the world. In addition to presenting a satisfactory 

 climate and a healthy environment for young Europeans, 

 it is within comparatively easy reach of home. It con- 

 tains at Peradeniya tropical gardens with specimens of 

 the most important tropical plants of the world, and is 

 now provided with a Government Agricultural Depart- 

 ment, with a staff of botanical, chemical and entomo- 

 logical experts who would be able to render important 

 service to such a college as is proposed. Without in 

 any way desiring to underrate the importance of estab- 

 lishing a similar college in the West Indies or in other 

 parts of the tropics, there is, I think, general agreement 

 that Ceylon is the colony best adapted in every respect 

 for the establishment of the first College of Tropical 

 Agriculture which will efficiently serve at least the 

 needs of the whole of the Middle East and of Eastern 

 and Central Africa. 



The Government of Ceylon is understood to be 

 favourable to the proposal, and the Secretary of State 

 for the Colonies has declared his interest in and svm- 



