The means by which we can develop these 

 resources are well known, but we must strike at 

 the root of the evil, namely, the ignorance of the 

 cultivator ; and we must commence with agricul- 

 tural education at the home of the farmer, and 

 spread among the masses an elementary knowledge 

 of the rational Principles on which alone Agriculture 

 can be pursued successfully, and a strict observance 

 of which can alone prevent the alarming decrease 

 in the fertility of the soil. With, the possession of 

 such a knowledge, added to the advantages of a 

 tropical climate, where everything favours the 

 luxuriant growth of vegetable life, we could, here 

 in India, achieve far greater results than are 

 obtained in more temperate climes ; and if, in 

 addition to the natural advantages, we had a system 

 of canals and irrigation -works, we would be enabled 

 to grow four blades where formerly but one grew, 

 and India would become once more the Garden of 

 the East. 



I am, however, not an advocate for agricul- 

 tural schools and colleges, which I think would be 

 decidedly premature at this period of total ignorance, 

 but am of opinion that education should commence 

 at the home of the cultivator. I would select 

 the most intelligent farmer in each village, and 

 advise him 3 not to alter, but how to improve, his 

 present mode of cultivation. I would explain to 

 him the uses of -the different manipulations of 



