INDIAN AGRICULTURE.
(TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR...1 Sia,—The writer of the notice (in your last issue) of Lieutenant Pogson's "Agriculture for India" may not be aware that theta are one or more institutions in India for teaching agriculture, and that measures are being devised for extending the know- ledge to the peasants. For ten years or more there has been a Government Model Farm in Madras, with a European staff, pre- sided over by Mr. Robertson, a graduate, I believe, of the Agri- cultural College at Cirencester ; an agricultural school has been more recently added to this farm, and students from other parts of India, as well as the Madras Presidency, avail themselves of it. These students will probably find employment under Zemindars, and teach, practically, the peasants working under them. In the beginning of last year I witnessed at the farm a trial, open to the public, of European, American, and Indian ploughs, which the Governor encouraged with his presence ; nany of the ploughs were handled by the students. I think it was intended to start institutions similar to the Madras one in Bombay and Bengal. I know that Mr. Robertson and his assistant, Mr. Benson, were deputed to several districts in. Southern India, to go over the country, inspect the modes of cultivation, and suggest what appeared to be required, and that they have made most useful reports. I think that there has been an awakening of interest in some Zemindars. The Indian Government have thus made what appears a good beginning in improving the agriculture of the country, which will, it is hoped, be extended, as they see their way further.—I am, Sir, &c.,
F.
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