INTRODUCTION. 



Agriculture advanced to the rank of a science in Europe, but 

 neglected in India, the style of cultivation being the same 

 now as it was thousands of years ago. The disregard of 

 the principle of restoration to the soil. The impossibility 

 of success in agricultural operations whilst disregarding this 

 principle. The soil deprived of its fertilizing constituents 

 by the crops removed. The exhaustion of the soil a natural 

 consequence. The ryot of India makes a certain return to 

 the soil. The inadequate nature of this return. Lord 

 Mayo acknowledging the primitive and backward state of 

 agriculture in India, and the just claims which the ryot 

 has upon the Government, upon which rests the duty of 

 improving agriculture. Her Majesty's Secretary of State 

 admitting that the Government of India has a direct and 

 immediate interest in the improvement of agriculture, such 

 as is possessed by no other Government. The Indian ryot 

 does badly because of his never having been taught better. 

 He lives on the capital instead of the interest, and 

 naturally becomes poorer and poorer. The father lives at 

 the expense of the son. The conservative ideas of agri- 

 cultural classes in general, and that of the Indian ryot in 

 particular ; his keen appreciation of improvements not- 

 withstanding. The Government of India, in its peculiar 

 position as landlord, suffers by the present mode of 

 cultivation, which takes away from the soil and gives 

 nothing back. Increasing impoverishment the conse- 

 quence. The necessity of teaching the ryot how to do 



