IN VIEW OF MEN TAKING DISCHARGE. 95 



has not kept pace with the growth of crops. Newspapers teem 

 with reports and hterature regarding wheat and cotton, but not 

 a single word ever appears about stock. In my opinion it is 

 really a very sad situation, and the danger of it is that there 

 may come a day when the country wakes up to the fact that 

 through heavy mortality, and perhaps indifference to true 

 interest, there is a grave shortage of animals necessary for the 

 life of the country. 



The Army through its Educational policy can be made a 

 very powerful factor for good in the situation described. By 

 a combination of Civil Veterinary and Agricultural Depart- 

 ments and the Veterinary Service of the Army, it ought not 

 to be difficult to draw out some plan of campaign whereby men, 

 before taking their discharge and returning to civil life, in rural 

 districts, coald receive a little up-to-date instruction in animal 

 husbandry, dairying, farm economies, etc. The awakening of 

 an intelligent interest is most desirable in the first instance. 

 Progress will follow in its train. The General Staff of the 

 Army in India has already the matter in hand, as will be seen 

 from extracts of a Circular letter to all Commands, dated 31st 

 March ] 920, which I now quote : — 



" The Army for the purpose of Education cannot be regarded 

 as a watertight compartment, and the Government of India has 

 invited the co-operation of Local Governments and Admini- 

 strations with local military authorities in furthering the 

 development of educational training ; Officers Commanding 

 should therefore have no hesitation in seeking the advice and 

 assistance of members of Civil and Educational Services ; such 

 advice and assistance will be of the greatest value, and of a 

 nature unobtainable from any other source." 



" The proposals under consideration contemplate therefore 

 the provision of facilities, either within or without units,, for 

 instruction in rural economy, i.e., general agriculture, horti- 

 -culture, dairying, animal husbandry. Veterinary Science, farm 

 economics — including forms of co-operation as applied to 

 agriculture — agricultural engineering, elementary mensuration 

 and land surveying, land tenures, etc., and where desired, for 

 instruction in cottage and village industries." 



