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stuffs, and a Dictionary of Agriculture is under preparation. In 

 Madras a text-book of Agriculture has been compiled by Mr. 

 Eobertson, but in these two provinces alone has the examine and 

 encouragement given by the Department for the compilation of 

 agricultural text-books been of any practical use. 



Actual experiments have been undertaken in the cultivation of 

 most of the articles on which papers have been jjublished, and in 

 many cases the results have been very successful. In tobacco, for 

 instance, but little more remains to be done by the Government, 

 an energetic European firm having undertaken the cultivation and 

 manufacture of it on good principles in farms made over to the 

 firm for the purpose (they were old stud farms) on very favourable 

 terms by the Government. 



In silk, experiments with tasar have been a complete success, 

 and there is undoubtedly a splendid future for the trade in this 

 article, little known or appreciated, out of India, until this De- 

 l^artment moved in the matter. 



Experiments in the propagation of lac have been quite suc- 

 cessful, but a fall in prices in the foreign markets renders the 

 further prosecution of this business for the present unnecessary. 



The cultivation of vanilla, so profitable in Mexico and Reunion, 

 a trial of which in India was strongly urged by this Department, 

 was a success in one province, at any rate, until the occurrence of 

 a drought which desolated it. This article otters peculiar advan- 

 tages to those who would wish to derive profit from an ornamental 

 plant occupying little s^jace, and which may be grown in the garden 

 adjoining the house. 



The carob tree, though long previously introduced, has also, by 

 the instrumentality of this Department, been largely j^ropagated, 

 and this useful fodder tree and resource for human beings in 

 seasons of drought (as in Cyprus) may now, like the Australian 

 gums, be considered naturalised in India. 



The ground nut is extensively imported into France from the 

 west coast of Africa, and this article, which is well known in India, 

 though not regularly exported, may become an important trade, if 

 properly worked. So far as exhortations and the supply of infor- 

 mation goes, this Department has done its best to stimulate the 

 cultivation of this valuable product. 



Sorgho has done remarkably well. Its very heavy yield makes 

 it a most valuable crop for cattle food. Year after year this De- 

 pai-tment has imported and distributed the seed, has directed 

 and encouraged the experimental culture of the plant, and has 

 collected from the growers, and compiled and published records 

 of the results. 



Cinchona is now completely established in India, and the alka- 

 loid prepared from the bark is largely used in the hospitals and in 

 private practice. 



