[ 2 ] 



the value of its produce, yet province for province we 

 are not receiving mucli more than many of our prede- 

 cessors, Akbar for instance, did. Are we really 

 making the most out of the land ? 



Philanthropic manufacturers of agricultural ma- 

 chines, introducers of new forage plants, patentees 

 of improved cattle food and the like, overcome by the 

 woes of the Indian ryot, are perpetually dinning into 

 the ears of the authorities and the public their unsel- 

 fish anxiety to regenerate the country by supplying it 

 with their wares on a large scale. 



One way or another a dim conception seems to be 

 gaining ground that, perhaps, we have left well (or 

 ill?) alone too long, and that possibly a systematic 

 improvement in its agriculture might prove a remedy 

 for many of India's present troubles. 



This is not the first time that some little stir has 

 been made about this matter. The orbit is not cal- 

 culable, but a certain periodicity has been observed, 

 and every ten or fifteen years the idea has emerged 

 into the blaze of public opinion. Whether this time 

 it is destined to develop into a permanent source of 

 light, or once more, its perihelion passed, to dart off 

 into the space of oblivion, cannot be foretold. The 

 chances are, it is to be feared, greatly in favour of the 

 latter ; but who can tell ? The laws of mind are not 

 as those of matter ; and anyhow, so long as a chance 

 exists, all, however humble, who hope and believe — 

 hope that at last the time may have arrived for ener- 

 getic and sufficient action in this matter, and believe 

 that that action will confer great and lasting benefits 

 on a considerable fraction of mankind — are bound, so 



