April — june, 1857.] Observations on Provincial Exhibitions. 71 



as the vegetable butter of Canara, or the oil of either species of 

 Bassia, known as the Illuppu and Moioah trees. So also the Sunn 

 fibre of Canara, if prepared like the " Wuckoo Nar" of Travan- 

 core, or the best hemp of Bombay would find a ready market. 

 Other substances which are less known, must go through the same 

 course that these have done, before they can be enquired for. 

 That is they must be reported upon, written about, experimented 

 upon by Manufacturers statistical information respecting prices 

 and probable quantities supplied. After such a course the en- 

 quiry probably would be " why, if there are such things, do they 

 " not come to us, as we are ready to employ them." For this is 

 the case at present with the above vegetable fats, and the Rheea 

 fibre which is identical with the much valued product called China 

 Grass. 



13. It is no doubt in consequence of the numerous difficulties 

 met with in attempting to improve the culture of a district or in 

 introducing into it new or little known articles, that some Collectors 

 have recommended the establishment of experimental farms. Thus 

 the Collector of Masulipatam states that " to a great degree the 

 " Ryots of this country require as much teaching as children, 

 " when any new product has to be introduced. Were there any 

 " experimental farms under the charge of some one thoroughly and 

 " practically acquainted with the best mode of raising and bringing 

 " to maturity different classes of valuable products, much valua- 

 " ble information as to the productions, really best suited to the 

 " soil and climate of each district, would be obtained, and the 

 " Ryots would be more encouraged by the actual sight of the pro- 

 " duce grown on the Government Farms than by a thousand orders, 

 " or the most benevolent advice from the Collector and his subor- 

 " dinates." There is no doubt that much good might be and per- 

 haps would be produced by such experimental farms, if they were 

 efficiently, and also successfully carried on. But they would have 

 to be successful not only in producing good crops, but also in prov- 

 ing that these were profitable ones. This there is great doubt of 

 there being for some time, in consequence of the extreme difficulty, 

 if not impossibility of finding well informed and efficient agents 



