[ 91 ] 



Again, as typical of another class of duties whicli 

 the Department would undertake, but of which little 

 need here be said (so obviously do they fall within its 

 province) may be instanced, the improvement of staples, 

 both by disseminating the better existing indigenous 

 varieties in tracts where now only inferior ones are 

 cultivated, and by further improving the best existing 

 sorts by selection* and careful cultivation. 



But among the secondary objects of the Depart- 

 ment, not perhaps so obvious, may certainly be men- 

 tioned the improvement of agricultural implements and 

 mechanical appliances. The magnificent mechanical 

 developments of European scientific agriculture are, 

 and will for many generations probably remain, 

 utterly unsuited to Indian requirements. On the 

 other hand, the mdigenous appliances that here do 

 duty for these, are of the crudest and most inefficient 

 character. Improvements in these are urgently called 

 for, but they have yet to be created, and this not by 

 the bodily importation of the results achieved by 



price, having been carried in America at nominal rates in conse- 

 quence of certain railway combinations. In the absence of par- 

 ticulars, it is impossible to say whether this can appreciably affect 

 our future trade. 



* The word " selection " is here used in its widest sense, and is 

 not intended only to signify the picking out for seed purposes the 

 biggest grains out of the finest ears and the like. It is meant to 

 include the careful study of varieties, with reference to local con- 

 ditions, and the further development of peculiarities which in any 

 locality tend to diminish the chance of the failure of the crop or 

 increase its probable yield. Take, for instance, the Long-husked 

 Giant Millet (or Choncha Jowar)^ which is even now almost proof 

 against the attacks of crows, mainas, and the like, and which a 

 very slight further development of its peculiarity would render 

 absolute proof against all birds but parroquets. 



