TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN TROPICAL AGRICULTURE 3 



ing the cultivation or preparation for the market of even 

 the most important exported plantation product, namely, 

 tea. This should not be the case, but must remain so 

 until a more advanced and applicable system of instruction 

 is established whereby student's may become qualified in 

 all branches of tropical plantation agriculture or be 

 enabled to specialize in any. 



Until about eight or nine years ago, the posts provided 

 in the Agricultural Service of the British East and West 

 African Colonies and Protectorates were filled from Kew, 

 apparently upon the vague supposition that, as a Kew 

 gardener was associated with the growing of tropical 

 plants under artificial conditions, he was qualified to 

 advise upon tropical agriculture. More recently graduates 

 from the Universities or students with diplomas from the 

 British Agricultural Colleges were sent to study under the 

 Agricultural Department in Ceylon under a scheme 

 initiated by the Director of the Imperial Institute in 

 London. The benefits which accrued from the practical 

 demonstration given to those sent to Ceylon emphasized 

 the urgency of the establishment of a superior college of 

 tropical agriculture. 



The value of the British agricultural diploma must not 

 be too lightly regarded; for, although it is based on 

 studies conducted under temperate conditions, it must be 

 remembered that these form an excellent basis for the 

 student to work upon. The qualification for entry into a 

 superior college of tropical agriculture in the tropics 

 might include the possession of a diploma from Great 

 Britain. The course in tropical agriculture must neces- 

 sarily be of a more highly technical character than that 

 required for the British diploma. 



It is practically impossible that a satisfactory course of 

 training can be given except in the tropics themselves, and 

 it therefore becomes necessary to determine the best 

 centre or centres for the establishment of the colleges. 



The course in tropical agriculture should be so arranged 

 that students may specialize in the study of plantation 

 work adapted to the country in which they contemplate 

 obtaining employment. It is also essential, as somewhat 

 different conditions obtain, and special crops are cultivated 



