106 • TECHNIQUE 



progress has been made. In the first place improved 

 ploughs of various patterns have been introduced in 

 large numbers and keenly taken up by the people. 

 There is no doubt that they are far more efficient than 

 the primitive wooden plough of the country, and their 

 introduction has in many tracts resulted in a marked 

 improvement in tillage, and large areas of weed- 

 infested land have been cleaned. Harrows and seed- 

 drills of western patterns have been imported and 

 are beginning to find favour, and the seed-drills and 

 interculturing implements of the more advanced tracts 

 have been introduced into the backward areas. In 

 some localities the advantage of manure is now more 

 appreciated than it formerly was, and farm-yard man- 

 ure is more carefully stored. The products of muni- 

 cipal scavenging which were formerly wasted are now 

 in keen demand, though it must be admitted that up 

 to the present no progress has been obtained in 

 inducing the cultivators to make use of the village 

 supply of this source of manure. Green manuring 

 and the use of oil-cake for irrigated crops have been 

 largely extended, and a small but increasing demand 

 for artificial manures has set in. It is a sign of the 

 times that within the last few years there have come 

 into existence a factory for agricultural implements 

 in the Deccan, and agencies for the supply of imple- 

 ments, seed and manure in many parts. More inter- 

 est is now taken in securing sound seed and in trying 

 fresh varieties of standard crops ; and the pure-line 

 cotton strains evolved by the Agricultural Department 



