74 Observations 07i Provijicial Exhibitions, [jjo. 3,new series, 
culture ; and might themselves superintend an experimental field 
of any particular culture, in order to give a practical proof to the 
Ryots of the mode as well as of the advantages of the new culture. 
It has been found advantageous even in Ireland to send round a 
body of qualified instructors in improved farming and flax culture. 
16. Further, the Board of Revenue crJl attention to the fact, 
that several of the'- Collectors suggest prizes for the improvement of 
cattle, sheep, &c., and as they consider it a matter of great con- 
sequence, recommend its adoption. They also propose enquiring 
whether it would be advisable in some districts (as Tanjore, &c.,) 
to introduce a few cattle from other districts at the expense of 
Government. Thus the Collector of Tanjore writes, " there is pro- 
bably no part of the habitable globe, and certainly no part of India 
" which produces such miserable animals, as are commonly used 
*' here. The whole country being under irrigation, there is no pas- 
" turage whatever. During the time of the cultivation they are fed 
" on the last year's straw, and when the harvest is over they are 
" turned into the fields to find what subsistence they can on the stub- 
" ble." Coll. p. 124. The first observation that presents itself on 
reading this statement is, that not only is it not surprising that the 
cattle should be reduced to this state, but it is hopeless trying to 
improve them, unless some better food than the dried rice straw of 
one season and the stubble of the next, is provided for them. The 
improvement of the breed of cattle and of sheep is now conducted 
on scientific principles by careful observers, but in no case I believe 
do they attempt to make crosses and raise the character of a breed, 
without at the same time taking care that food is supplied which will 
suit the improved breed, whether it be of sheep or of homed cattle. 
The Board observe that the cattle of Nellore, Mysore, Coimbatore, 
&c., and the bufi'aloes of Canara are known to be very fine, andalittlc 
judicious expenditure in this way might be productive of much ad- 
vantage. Having called attention to this subject in my essay on the 
Productive * Resources of India, p. 139 and 161,1 would beg 
to refer to the principles laid down by different breeders. Among 
the first of these, is the great importance of climate, secondly of 
pasture. You must first of all be in possession of a pasture suitable 
for the new comers, &c., also to the objection of breeding in andin^ 
