September i, 1881.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
295 
showed in a paper I laid before the Famine Commis- 
sion. Farther experience does not lead me to modify 
in any important particulars my previously expressed 
opinions, although I can now better appreciate the 
difficulties with which the ryot has to contend, and 
also the good points of his practices as far as I have 
become acquainted with them. With every extension 
of my experience, the conviciion also grows upon me 
of the groat difficulties of bringing home to the ryot in- 
formation regarding the manner in which his practices 
can and should be altered. The two most important 
points on which reform is urgently required — the use 
of a better plough and the manufacture and use of 
manure, — are of such a nature as to render demon- 
stration of this necessity for change of the greatest 
difficulty. Everything, as far as I can see, points to 
the advisability of energetic action on the lines men- 
tioned in my Cuddapah tout' report ; hut even with 
the greatest possible effort progress can only be slow. 
Unless Government are prepared to act energetically 
and on a far reaching system in the matter the hope 
of doing any good to the country at large must be 
very small, and it is scarcely worth while to carry on our 
work in a 'half-hearted and experimental ' manner." 
The Board of Revenue observe that "Mr. Benson's 
tour was confined to the month of August, when crops 
■were on the ground, and it is therefore difficult to 
understand how lie arrived at the conclusion that 
tin: agricultural operations of the district are carried 
on in a 'lazy and perfunctory manner,' or on what 
ground he basis his assertion that the system in Bel- 
lary 'is the most inefficient cultivation he has ever 
come across.' Subsequently, however, when describing 
the mode of cultivation more particularly, he prac- 
tically retracts this charge, and shows that the opera- 
tions arc conducted in an intelligent and skilful 
manner. Mr. Benson appears to be puzzled to ac- 
count for cholum and korra being the staple crops 
and says: 'I am unable to suggest any reason why 
they should so exclusively occupy this position.' " The 
Board says that the "reason why these coreala are 
more hugely cultivated than other grains is that, being 
the staple food of the people, there is a large demand 
for them, and its pays the ryot to grow them just 
as in England it pays the farmer to grow wheat and 
barley. In regard to deep ploughing and the alleged 
j 1 i of the ryots against this and other approved 
modes of farming, it is observed -by the Board that 
the only way to overcome prejudice is to demonstrate 
practically that scientific farming pays ; and a few 
model (not experimental) farms conducted on com- 
merical principles established in the midst of the 
ryots' holdings would produce a greater effect thau 
a long scries" of lectures at the school of Agriculture. 
The Board consider that this practical test is what 
must be insisted upon as the first and most important 
step towards the improvement of agriculture in India." 
The Government says that they have perused the 
report with interest, and that it is a valuable contri- 
bution to the literature on the subject. They concur 
with the Board in desiring that tours be undertaken as 
frequently a.-; possible, and would be glad of any BUg- 
;e tee., the Board may offer toth.it end.— Madras Mail. 
LOCAL INDUSTRY. — In pursuance of their policy that 
it is expedient to encourage Indian industries, tho 
Government of India bave directed that the following 
shall in futuro bo proem cd of Indian manufacture 
wherever possible, ami when ihoy can bo supplied 
at rates no higher than those, for which imported 
•rtioles of the same quality can bo obtained : namely 
" Sundials, the Government Workshop at Boorkee 
makes sundials, and no doubt they cau be made at 
other establishments of a similar kind ; Bulpfwrio acid, 
made in Calcutta by Dr. Waldie, an 1 probably slim 
whore ; and Alcohol, made at all large distilleries and 
sugar factories."— Madras Mail. 
Cookc;.— We learn from Mereara that there is some 
prbability of the planters securing a fair average crop of 
coffee this season in Coorg. It is hoped that the plant- 
ers will not be disappointed as they were on a previous 
occasion. Coffee is not likely to turn out well in some of 
the producing tracts of the presidency owing to unsea- 
sonable rains. — Madras Standard. 
Foochow Tea. — Bad news from home has produced 
quietness here, (Foochow) and the week's settlements of 
Congou are less than half the total of tho previous seven 
days. Teamen so far remain firm holders. It is understood 
that two fine "chops" of American Oolong have been 
sold, but the purchase has not yet been declared. 
Scented Orange Pekoes have sold on easier terms. — 
N. C. Herald. 
Coffee in Bukmah.— The Govrnment of British 
Burmah is making a laudable effort to put new life 
into the southern districts of tho Province by offering 
liberal terms to intending coffee planters. The coffee 
industry would be certain to pay in these parts, if 
private efforts were wisely fostered by tho adminis- 
tration, the chief necessity being a supply of labour, 
for lack of which mauy a fair enterprise in India has 
gone astray ; as, for instance, the tobacco industry in 
the northern Aracan Hill Tracts. Labour is exported, 
with the sanction and by the favour of Government, 
in large quantities to Trinidad and Guiana ; while 
all the time wide fields are lying vacant within the 
boundaries of British India. — Pioneer. 
A Resolution of the Bengal Government deals with 
the subject of the manufacture of paper from the fibre 
of the wild plantain stem. The Deputy Conservator 
of Forests, Sunderbunds Division, drew attention to the 
subject, which was referred to Dr. King for report. 
Dr. King, though he thought that the estimate of 
rjrofit was too sanguine, expressed the opinion that 
the proposed industry had a good deal of promise 
about it, and recommended Government to send a 
trial shipment to London, to make the fibre known 
to English manufacturers. The Lieutenant-Governor, 
however, considers the suitability of the wild plantain 
for paper manufacture so well established that it is 
not necessary for Government to. initiate experiments. 
Private enterprise will, however, be liberally encouraged; 
and Government will, at the outset, and for a reason- 
able time, supply plantain stems free of cost to "any 
mercantile firm or individual wishing to try such ex- 
periments in the Chittagong Ilill Tracts or elsewhere 
in Bengal." — Madras Mail. 
Ooty, Sth Augt. — Although we are having rain every 
day, the climate is milder than usual at this time of 
the 
Dealba 
What 
th 
in that the Acacia 
>ming into flower before its usual time, 
ne might be made out of the trees if 
they could he transported to London ; all the wants 
and necessities of Ooty could be paid for without 
stint or limit, for one little spray of this yellow 
blossom sells for one shilling in the great metropolis, 
or did do so a few years ago. The trees or shrubs, 
for I believe they are no more than shrubs, grow at 
Mentone and tho South of France, and the blossom 
is carefully packed and sent to the London markets, 
where tho feathery yellow blossoms and perfumes are> 
thought much of as a green home plant in Eng- 
land. It does not exceed tho sizo of a Fuschia or 
Geranium ; it would bo impossible to count the num. 
ber of shilling sprays Ooty could send to market, 
but it seems that all things become possible in course 
of time ; woh would have thought somo years ago that 
meat could bo sent from America and Australia to- 
London without being tinned, and yet we have lived 
to hear that frozen meat answers so well that tho 
importation of it to London is likely to become general ; 
perhaps we shall bo able to pterify the acacia blossom 
some day, and send it to London without 1" ing 
withered iu the trauspoi t. — Madras Time*. 
