FAMINE KESISTANCE 57 



December, 1899, to November, 1900, the average daily 

 number of persons in receipt of famine relief in the 

 Bombay Presidency was over 1,000,000 and through- 

 out July, 1900, the worst month, over 1,500,000. 

 In 1918-19 famine was declared in eleven districts, 

 but except in two districts the demand for famine 

 relief work was negligible, and such relief as was 

 given was mainly gratuitous. The period for which 

 famine relief was necessary was practically confined 

 to six months, and during that time the average 

 daily number of persons in receipt of famine relief 

 was about 100,000, and throughout May, 1919, the 

 worst month, less than 150,000. The contrast is 

 remarkable when it is remembered that the famine 

 relief wage is calculated with reference to the price of 

 the staple food, so that the real wage paid in each 

 period was identical. The experience of those who 

 saw both famines bears out the inference which the 

 above figures suggest, that during the interval the 

 population had greatly strengthened its economic 

 position. 



It now remains to formulate some definite opinion 

 as to the agricultural progress which may be taking 

 place in western India. It has been shown that the 

 area under cultivation has been increased about as 

 far as is possible, that land values and rentals are 

 enormously enhanced, that a large, and apparently 

 permanent, rise has taken place in the value of all 

 agricultural produce and especially in the case of 

 export crops, and that the area under export crops 



