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Elliot, published in the London Times of the 2nd 

 February 1875. This letter paints the future of 

 Indian Agriculture in very dark colours indeed, 

 and cannot be said to exaggerate existing facts ; 

 but it will be shown in the following pages that, 

 besides the hitherto untouched stores of fertilizing 

 substances in the subsoil, Indian agriculturists 

 have many indigenous manures available, but are 

 ignorant of their nature and value. The future is 

 therefore not quite so gloomy and hopeless as 

 would appear, but no time should be lost in intro- 

 ducing a different and more rational system of 

 agriculture. 



To THE EDITOR OP THE TIMES. 



" SIR, Will you allow me to direct attention to the 

 very serious question of the miserable condition and 

 melancholy future prospects of agriculture in India, and, 

 at the same time, indicate such remedial measures as have 

 been suggested by my practical experience as an Indian 

 planter ? 



" As to the facts of the existing condition of Indian 

 agriculture, I may observe that they are too well-known 

 to require my entering into any lengthened particulars, 

 and may be briefly and accurately described by saying 

 that, with the exception of land irrigated by rich river- 

 water, and of certain wooded tracts where the feed for 

 cattle is abundant and the agricultural area very limited, 

 the people have been living for a very long period, not 

 . on the interest, but very largely on the capital of the 

 soil. Nor does it require many words/ to show how this 

 must be the case ; for if, for instance, you go into the 



