PEOGKESS MADE 107 



are now sown on about 200,000 acres, an area likely 

 to increase largely in the near future. 



In the case of particular crops many improvements 

 have been introduced. In the matter of sugar-cane 

 the cultivators have much to learn. In preparatory 

 tillage, manuring, planting, irrigating and the hand- 

 ling of the produce many important improvements 

 have been introduced which add to the outturn and 

 lessen the cost of production ; and these methods are 

 finding favour and giving good results in common 

 practice. Another interesting crop in India is the 

 potato crop, its chief interest being the large number 

 of fungoid, bacterial and insect diseases from which 

 it suffers. Much progress has been made in the 

 solution of these difficulties, and the cultivators show 

 a practical appreciation of such work. 



It is not possible to mention in detail the many lines 

 of technical activity along which work is proceed- 

 ing, but a few of the more technical branches may 

 be mentioned. In the mycological branch practical 

 remedies have been devised and introduced with con- 

 spicuous success for smut on jowari, mildew on grapes 

 and holer oga on supari. In the matter of horticulture 

 many problems relating to the grafting, pruning of 

 fruit trees and the general treatment and sanitation 

 of plantations have been worked out. Advice and 

 assistance in such matters are freely asked for by the 

 public and freely given by the Department. Fruit 

 culture is now being pushed in many districts to the 

 extent of the limited existing demand for fruit. In 



