april — june, 1857.] Observations on Provincial Exhibitions. IB 



establishment of experimental farms and the several districts of the 

 Presidency, they would probably prevent their influence being so 

 extensive as might be wished, and therefore render inadvisable the 

 establishment of such farms. But there is a great variety of use- 

 ful and very valuable information, which is at present required, and 

 which can be only attained by means of one or more experimental 

 farms, and which when obtained might be made applicable to the 

 improvement of the culture of various districts. First, in ascer- 

 taining the best methods of culture of the different Indian crops, 

 according to the practices of the Natives themselves in the parts 

 where any crop is best cultivated, comparing these with the princi- 

 ples and methods of culture, at present most approved of in this 

 country; in ascertaining the peculiarities and advantages of the dif- 

 ferent methods of culture, of cropping, of rotation, &c. together 

 with the use of such manures as are procurable ; trying the merits 

 of different tools ; and making known the easiest methods of rais- 

 ing water ; and in addition, introducing the more valuable articles 

 of culture from other parts of the world, which have any similari- 

 ty in climate and vegetation to India. Such experiments are too 

 often confined to introducing English cereal crops, vegetables and 

 fruits, into situations where the soil and climate are so dissimilar 

 that any great success is hopeless. If such an experimental farm 

 were established near the Presidency under a Government officer, 

 and at the same time in connection with the Agri Horticultural So- 

 ciety, it might also be made a school of instruction in the princi- 

 ples and practice of Agriculture for young men from the Provinces. 

 These might be selected in the first instance by the several Collec- 

 tors, and then sent to the Presidency, where they should, like the 

 Native Medical Students, pass through a course of elementary, scien- 

 tific and practical instruction, and like them be subjected to exami- 

 nation. If they passed such an examination satisfactorily, they might 

 then be sent back to the Collectors for appointments in the several 

 districts, of different natures, according to their respective merits. Such 

 a course would, without any great expense, introduce throughout all 

 the different parts of the Presidency a body of tolerably well qua- 

 lified individuals, who might be the medium of communication be- 

 tween the Collectors and Ryots in all matters relating to improved 



