["3 ] 



that have not been already tried, successfully or unsuccess- 

 fully, by European planters. Even the steam-plough, which 

 is still considered an expensive luxury in Europe, has been 

 tried by two planters within my own knowledge. 



5. The aim of this book will be to look into all agricul- 

 tural problems, as much as possible, from the point of view of 

 famine, that is, with reference to the masses of the people, 

 and not to the Epicurean or the rich, who seek delicate 

 flavour rather than quantity and nourishment. It will consider 

 how soils can be made to yield more than they do, how irriga- 

 tion can be made possible for the 'poor raiyat, how to extend 

 the cultivation of drought resisting crops, how to preserve, 

 without damage, food and fodder, the excess production of 

 one year, for years of scarcity, how to organise measures 

 of protection against famine. If any one expects to learn from 

 these pages the best methods of breeding peacocks, turkeys 

 and guinea fowls, of growing artichokes and asparagus and 

 peaches, he will be sadly disappointed. These pages will be 

 devoted almost entirely to the consideration of the food and 

 other necessaries of life for the masses, or what can become 

 food &c. for the masses. They \vill discuss only such appli- 

 ances and machinery as can be used by the poor raiyat 

 individually or collectively. They will analyse only such 

 manures as may be placed within easy reach of the raiyat. 

 They will explain the means of getting rid of and of avoiding 

 pests and parasites that are so destructive to ordinary crops. In 

 one word, this Hand book hopes to be able to be a guide, 

 philosopher, and friend, to the actual cultivator, and be the 

 means of ameliorating his condition. Seventy per cent, of the 

 people of India live directly by farming, and it is of paramount 

 importance to study those questions which affect so large a 

 proportion of the population of India. In no other country 

 in the world does such a large proportion of the population 

 depend on agriculture. In England only 7-5 per cent, of the 

 population live by agriculture. 



