PROSPECTUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA (Sanctioned by the Government uf India, Revenue rind Aorictiltnrfil Department) CALCUTTA SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING. INDIA I gog , It 7^10' fOr PROSPECTUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA {The Prospectus is subject to sncJi alterations as may fro^n time to time he ordered.) I. PREFATORY. 'T^HE Agricultural Research Institute and College, Pusa, owes its -*■ inception to the generosity of Mr. Henry Phipps who in 1903 placed at the disposal of Lord Curzon, then Viceroy and Governor General of India, a donation of £20,000 ^which he afterwards raised to £30 000) with the request that it might be devoted, to some object of public utility in India, preferably in the direction of scientific research. Part of this donation was devoted to the construction of a Pasteur institute at Coon- oor in southern India, and it was decided that the balance should be utilized in erecting a laboratory of agricultural research which, it was hoped, would form a centre of economic science in connection with that occupation on which the people of India mainly depend. This conception was subsequently enlarged, and the Government of India have now con- structed a college and research institute to which a farm of some 1,300 acres is attached for purposes of experimental cultivation and de- monstration. In 1903, when the research station was sanctioned, it was intended to combine it with a college which should give a general agricultural educa- tion and should serve as a model for the few agricultural colleges and schools of very unequal merit which then existed in India. Recently, however, this conception of the functions of the Pusa College has under, gone a material change. It is now recognised that the first and most essential condition of any permanent improvement in the agricultural methods of this country is the widest possible diffusion of an organised knowledge of scientific and practical agriculture, and at the same time it is desired to make the country as far as possible self-supporting in the 2 PROSPECTUS OP THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH matter of development of agricultural training and research. A compre- hensive scheme for the promotion of agricultural education throughout India, has accordingly been drawn up, as the result of which it is hoped that every important province will soon be provided with a fully equipped college where students will for three years receive practical and scientific education in agriculture. The position which the Pusa College is intend- ed to occupy in relation to this general scheme is that of a higher teach- ing institution. Its main object is to enable students who have passed with distinction through a course of a provincial college, by means of a post-graduate course in one of the specialised branches of agricultural science, to qualify for the higher branches of agricultural work, 2. THE PUSA ESTATE. The estate consists of 1,300 acres, of which 400 are arable, 400 are pasture ; nearly all the field crops of the plains can be grown there. The farm buildings are up-to-date, and herds of breeding and milch cattle are maintained. There are complete arrangements for the manufacture of indigo and the curing of tobacco. Poultry breeding is being carried on ; there is a large and well-laid- out orchard and botanical garden. Every facility for the practical teaching of agriculture and agricultural subjects has been provided. The students' laboratories are extensive, well lighted and equipped ; there is a library for the use of students. The students' hostel is complete, and there is ample accommodation for 70 students. Waini, on the Bengal and North-Western Kailway, is the nearest railway station. It is six miles from the college by a good road. There is a telegraph and post office within the estate. 3. CONSTITUTION AND STUDIES. 1. CONTROL. — The Col'ege is under the general supervision of the Inspector- General of Agriculture in India and is under the direct control of the Director of the Research Institute and Principal of the College. 2. STAFF.— T\\Q superior staff of the College consists of — 1. The Principal. 2. The Imperial Agricultural Chemist. 3. The Imperial Mycologist. 4. The Imperial Entomologist. 5. The Imperial Economic Botanist. 6. The Imperial Agriculturist * • The post of Imperial i\gnculiuiist has Lcen temporarily atsoibtd in the pest of Director and Principal. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA. 3 7. The Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist. 8. The Second Imperial Entomologist. 3. COURSE. — The ordinary College course extends over two years, and the students will be trained in one or other of the following sections of agricultural science, no students being trained in more than one sec- tion at a tune : — 1. Agricultural Chemistry, 2. Economic Botany. 3. Economic Entomology.* 4. Mycology. 5. Agricultural Bacteriology .f 6. Agriculture. 4. SYLLABUS. — In the absence of experience of the class of student likely to be received, it is impossible to lay down a permanent syllabus of the training in each subject. The syllabus that follows is tentative and is subject to the condition that time will not be wasted in taking students over ground that is already familiar to them. I. —Agricultural Chemistry. (Two years' course.) (i) A course of lectures and laboratory practice of the same type as laid down in the Standard Curriculum for Provincial Colleges. (ii) A course or courses of lectures in advanced chemistry which shall follow such lines as have an important bearing on agricultural science. Each student will then take up a particular line of investigation suggested to him by the lecturer. At the end of the course each student will write an essay embodying the whole of his work, and the results positive or negative he can deduce therefrom. II. — Botany. (Ta/o years' course.) {First year.) {i) Physiology of Plants.- — The course will be mainly practical and will be based on Darwin and Acton's Physiology of Plants (Cambridge University Press). * The entomological course will be for one year only. t As the appointment of Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist is now vacant, instruction cannot be provided at present in Agricultural Bacteriology. 4 PROSPECTUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH The work will illustrate the effect of various condition"^ on plant development and will include — (a) Respiration. (6) Assimilation, (c) Nutrition. {d) Transpiration. (e) Growth. (/) Movements. {ii) The Improvement of Plants. — The lectures will deal firstly with the principles underlying the modern development of plant- breeding, such as Mendel's Law and Mutation, and secondly with the particular methods adapted to Indian conditions, and this part of the course will be supplemented by field work. The subjects treated will be — {a) Evolution, Variation and Mutation. (6) Selection. (c) Hybridization. {Hi) The Principles of Indian Fruit Growing. — The course will in- clude— (a) The general management of a modern fruit garden. (6) Special processes, such as Propagation, Pruning and root- pruning. Weathering, (c) Disposal of the produce. In the case of students who show special aptitude for work in Econo- mic Botany and who are likely to become qualified to undertake original work, the course will be extended to two years. {Second year.) In general this second year's work will deal with the practical applica- tion of the principles of plant improvement, and a general knowledge will be given to students of the planting, cultivation and imjirove- ment of plants which are of special economic importance in their respec- tive provinces. Institute and college, pusa. 5 III. — Entomology, (One year's course.) {i) Collecting, pinning, setting. (m) Classification. How to use text-books. ,, How to use the collection. (Hi) Anatomy of cockroach or other form. Comparative anatomy as shown by dissection, mouth parts, etc. Terms used in classifying. (iv) Classification and terms used in each order. {v) Actual identification and revision of the collection. (vi) Biology and life histories — general, special and details (vii) An account of each family in order. {viii) Pests : — first general, then special by order, then special by crops. (ix) Complete list of the injurious insects in India. {x) Preparation of leaflets and lecture course for the province, with exhibition collection of insects of that province. (xi) Useful insects (lac, silk, apiculture). (xii) Beneficial insects and birds. {xiii) Preventive and remedial measures. IV.— Mycology. (Two years' course.) 1. A Revisionary Course in Plant Anatomy and Physiology. — Time — two to three months. Anatomy. Histology of the cell and tissues. Anatomy of the root, stem, and leaf. Physiology of nutrition. 2. General Mycology. — Time — six months. Definition and characters of the fungi. Structure of the Thallus — (a) Vegetative portion, mycelimn, rhizomorj^ha, sclerotia. (6) Reproductive portion ; sporophores ; spores ; germination. Life habits of fungi. Dissemination. Polymorphism. Food of fungi, saprophytes, parasites. 6". PROSPECTUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Symbiosis. Heteroecism. Specialisation of parasitism. Classification. The study of the six main groups of fungi with examination of types. 3. Pathological Mycology. — Time — 15 months. Causation of disease by fungi. Infection. Eiiects of parasitic fungi on plants. Diagnosis of disease : symptoms of fungus attack. Prevention and treatment of fungus diseases of plants. Predisposition of plants to disease : immunity. Factors of disease. Epidemics. A general study in field and laboratory of the princip)al fungus diseases of crops in India. A more detailed study with experiments of a selected fungus disease. If possible, the student should accompany a trained assistant in a field enquiry for the purpose of giving him practice in independent ob- servation and collecting information. V, — Bacteriology. ^= A short course in bacteriological methods, preparation and ster- ilization of media and the cultivation of bacteria. , ,. Students who have passed through this training satisfactorily will take part in the research work of the laboratory under supervision. VI. — Agriculture. Special instruction will be given in the management of field and garden crops and orchards, and in the use of agricultural machinery, tools and implements and in cattle, sheep and poultry breeding. As a temporary measure to assist the provinces which are not in a position to train their own men as suj)erintendents of farms or for other positions requiring a practical agricultural education, a course in general agriculture will be given. 5. TERMS. — The terms for students are as follows : — Autumn Term— Yvom 1st June to 15th November. Vacation — From 16th November to 5th January. Spring Term — From 6th January to 31st March. Vacation — From 1st April to 31st May. * As the appointment of Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist is now vacant, instruc- tion cannot be provided at present in Agricultural Bacteriology. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUS A. 6. CERTIFICATES.— Fov the present it has been decided not to hold periodical and final examinations, but certificates signed by the head of the section and countersigned by the Principal, will be presented to students who have passed through the College course with credit. 4. ADMISSION RULES. 1. Accommodation. — The total number of students that can ordinarily be admitted in each of the following sections every year is as follows : — Agriculture Agricultural Chemistry Mycology Entomology Botany , Agricultural Bacteriology* 8 8 8 8 4 44 The number of studentships to be allotted each year to the respective provinces as well as the number of nominations, if any, to be made by the Principal, will be decided by the Principal before the 1st April, after consultation with the provincial authorities as to their require- ments, and communicated to the Local Governments and A Vninis- trations concerned. 2. Students. — There will be three classes of students— {i) Students nominated by a local Government or an administra- tion. {ii) Students deputed by a Native State, on the nomination of the Inspector- General of Agriculture in India. (iii) Private students. 3. Students nominated by a Local Government or Administration should ordinarily be men who have passed with credit through a provin- cial agricultural college, or are graduates of an Indian University or possess a degree or diploma of approximately the same standard granted by any other educational institution. 4. Students deputed by a Native State may be admitted on the application of the State concerned, provided that accommodation is available. Applications should be addressed, in the first instance, to the Inspector- General of Agriculture in India, Nagpur, Central Provinces, and should reuch him before the 15th March. The nomination of such students is made by the Inspector- General of Agriculture in India, and * As the appointment of Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist is now vacant, inptruc- tion cannot be pjovided at present in Agricultural Bacteriology. 8 PEOSPECTUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH his nomination should reach the Principal before the 1st April, as pro- vided in Rule 1 above. 5. Students of class (ii) above will be required to pass a satisfactory- test to be applied by the chief of the section concerned at Pusa. 6. {i) Priva'e Students. — Private students may be admitted by the Principal provided that accommodation is available. Candidates for admission should be not less than 19 years of age, and should submit their applications to the Principal before the 1st April in each year. Ordinarily only candidates will be admitted who have the same qualifica- tions as are prescribed for students nominated by a Local Government or Administration in Rule 3 above, and such candidates may also be required to pass the test mentioned in Rule 5 above. (ii) A private student must attach to his application (a) a certifi- cate of age, (6) a health certificate signed by a Civil Surgeon testifying to the candidate's physical fitness for such out-door work as is required to be done in the Agricultural Department, (c) a certificate of good moral character from the Principal of the Agricultural College from which he graduated or from any one else of influential position. The certificates (b) and (c) must bear a date within six months of the date of application for admission into the College. (iii) The Principal may relax any of the conditions imposed under rule (ii), should he consider it desirable. (iv) The names of those private students who succeed in obtaining the College certificates will be entered by the Principal in a register to be kept for the purpose, and will be communicated to the Directors of Agri- culture in the various provinces so that these private students may be offered employment if their services are required. The names will also be published in the Gazette of India and in provincial Government gazettes. 7. It will be'at the discretion of the Principal with the advice of the scientific officer in charge of the section, to declare at any time the unfit- ness of a student for training and to require his removal from the College. M 8. The'expenses of a student at the College, will, it is estimated, not exceed Rs.''25 per mensem. But the following sums will approximate- ly be required for the purchase of books : — Rs. Agricultural Chemistry ....... 15 Eoonoinio Botany ........ IT) Entomology ......... 22 Mycology ......... 25 Agricultural Bacteriology ....... 15 Agriculture ......... 15 INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA. 9 10. Local Governments will be left to make students whom they depute to the College such allowances and grants as they think fit. In the case of students already in Government service the allowance should not exceed the pay of their grade, and in the case of other students they should not exceed Es. 50 a month. 11. Caution money and initial deposits will not be required from students nominated by Local Governments, except in the case of students required to undergo training at the College at their own expense, who must deposit with the Principal a sum of Rs. 50 to meet the initial cost of books and in addition Rs. 50 as caution money. 5. DISCIPLINARY RULES. 1. The Director and Principal is charged with the general control of the students, the housing and domestic arrangements, and the mainten- ance of discipline, and he will from time to time issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to secure these objects. All the corre- spondence relating to the training of students should be addressed to the Director and Principal, Agricultural Research Institute and College, Pusa, Bengal. 2. (^) Quarters. — The Principal will allot to students on arrival such quarters as may be available. The College quarters are tenable during the whole period of the student's course. For the present no rent will be charged for the quarters, but the Government of India reserve the right of withdrawing the concessions from all or any class of students entering the College hereafter. {ii) Students must make their own arrangements for meals. Sep- arate dining rooms will be provided for different castes and religions, and meals will not be allowed in quarters without the consent of the Principal. (m) Every student will be responsible for articles placed in his charge. In case of loss or damage arising from carelessness he may be called upon to pay. {iv) Students will not be allowed to keep dogs. Horses and cattle cannot be kept without the permission of the Principal. {v) No student may leave the estate premises without the permis- sion of the Director and Princij)al. No student may be absent from his quarters after 10 p.m. without the permission of the Director and Prin- cipal. 3. Library. — The use of the library will be allowed subject to the library rules. 10 PROSPECTUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, PUSA. 4. Books and Instruments. — The list of books required by students of each section will be published by the Principal from time to time. Apparatus and other laboratory requirements will be provided free, but students using them will be responsible for their safe custody and return. 5. Leave. — During the course of instruction no student may leave Pusa without the order of the Principal. Subsidiary rules regarding leave will be made by the Principal from time to time. 6. Holidays. — ^Such of the usual gazetted holidays as are allowed will be notified from time to time. 7. Punishments. — Students are liable to the following punishments which may be imposed by the Principal : — ■ Entry in conduct register. Stoppage of leave or fine. Removal or dismissal from the College. An extract of the order of this kind passed by the Principal shall be forwarded to ' the Local Government or Native State concerned for infor- mation. CALCUTTA : PRINTED BY SUPDT. GOVT. PRINTING, INDIA, 8, HASTINGS STREET. REPORT OF THE Agricultural Research Institute and College, Pusa C Including Report ot the Imperial Cotton Specialist J 1907=09 CALCUTTA SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA 1909 Price As. 4-' REPORT OF THE Agricultural Research Institute and College, l^usa (Including Report of the Imperial Cotton Specialist) 1907-09 CALCUTTA SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page I. Introductory ......... 1 1. Agriculture ...... 4 2. Botany ...... 6 3. Agricultural Chemistry 7 4. Mycology . . . . 8 5. Entomology ...... 10 6. Cotton 13 (a) Selection and Distribution of Seed 14 (6) Introduction of Superior Indigenous Varieties and Better Methods of Cultivation 15 (c) Hybridization ...... 15 (d) Trials of Exotic Varieties .... 16 7. Tree Cottons 18 II. — Report of the Director, Agricultural Research Insti- tute, Pusa ......... 19 1. Charge 19 2. Staff 19 3. Scientific Work 20 4. College, Grounds, Roads, etc. 20 5. Students ...... 20 6. Publications .... . 21 7. Library ..... . 21 8. General Health of the Station . 21 III. Report of the Imperial Agriculturist . 23 1. Charge and Establishment . . 23 2. Training ..... . 23 3. Cropping and Character of the Seasons . 23 4. Special Crops under Experiment . . 25 (a) Sugarcane .... . 25 (6) .lute ..... 25 (c) Flax . 26 (d) Tobacco .... . 26 5. Manurial Experiments on Wheat . 26 6. Green Manuring; .... . 27 11 7. Permanent Mannrial and Rotation Experiments 8, Permanent Pasture Experiments . 0. lireeding ..... 10. General Improvement of the Estate 11. Programnae for 1909-10 IV. Report of the Frnporiai Economic Botanist 1. Charge of Office .... 2. Teacfiing and Training f». VVh(!at Investigations 4. Fruit . 5. Fibres 0. Oil Seeds 7. Minor Investigations 8. T<)\)H(-cM 9. Programme for 1909-10 (1) Training (2) Plant Breeding and Plant Improvement (3) Fruit Experiments (4) Minor Investigations . V. Report of the Imperial Agricultural Chemist 1. Charge .... 2. Introductory 8. Met(!orology 4. Rainfall .... 5. Evaporation 0. Drainage .... 7. lioss of Water from Soil 8. \Vat(^r r(H)uir('d Ny Plants 9. Availahh; Phint Food in Soils 10. Soil Gases .... 11. Black Cotton Soil 12. Other Investigations I'i. General Analytical Work 14. Students .... IT). Esiahlishinent 10. Programme for 1909-10 VI. Report of the Imperial Entomologist 1. Training .... 2. Estahlisliment 8. Buildings .... Page. 27 27 28 29 29 31 31 31 32 35 35 35 35 35 36 36 36 37 37 39 39 39 39 39 39 40 41 42 42 43 43 43 43 44 44 44 47 47 47 48 m 4. Provincial Work 5. Correspoudeuce 6. Researcli 7. Sericulture . 8. Lac 9. Insect Survey 10. Demonstration 11. Publications . 12. Conclusion 13. Pro^rraiuine for 1909-10 VII. Report of the Second Imperial Entomologist 1. Cbar^'e and Establishment 2. Training 3. Work (jn Publications 4. Entomological Work 5. Correspondence 6. Conclusion 7. Programme for 1909-10 VIII. Report of the Imperial Mycologist 1. Charge and Establishment . 2. Laboratory .... 3. Training .... 4. Organisation 5. Research Work 6. Sugarcane Disease 7. Palm Disease 8. Disease of Citrus Fruits 9. Wilt Disease 10. Mulberry Disease of Kashmir 11. Ginger Disease 12. Other Diseases of Plants 13. Silkworm Disease . 14. Programme for 1909-10 IX. Report of the Imperial Cotton vSpecialist 1. Charge .... 2. Tours ..... 3. Collection of Varieties . 4. Distribution of Seed 5. Identification and Valuation 6. Programme for 1909-10 Page. 48 49 49 51 52 52 53 54 55 55 57 57 57 58 58 61 61 62 63 63 63 63 64 65 65 65 66 66 67 67 67 67 67 69 69 69 77 77 77 78 LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTaM. aL REPORT OF THE AoTiciiltural Researcli Institute and College, Piisa {Including Re'port of the Imferial Cotton Specialist ) 1907-09 INTRODUCTORY. rp HE reports of the Director and heads of sections of -*- the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, and of the Cotton Specialist for the years 1907-09, are herewith published. The period ends on the 30th June 1909. The Institute was opened for advanced students only in July 1908. Before this 22 probationers came from various provinces for technical training in various sections, to adapt them for work of a very practical kind in the pro- vinces concerned. It has been definitely settled that Pusa shall chiefly be a higher teaching institution with post-graduate studies principally for selected graduates of provincial agricul- tural colleges and distinguished science graduates of Indian universities. Arrangements have, however, been made, for the time being, to give in agriculture, economic botany and entomology, short courses particularly in regard to the practical application of these sciences to every-day agriculture or horticulture in India. I attach great value B 2 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH to these practical courses. A prospectus of the Pasa College has, for general information, been published. Before I review in short detail the work done at Pusa, there are a few features of this Institute which I wish to clearly define. The first refers to the general suitability of Pusa for the central research and experimental station for the whole of India. Pusa is a magnificent estate of over 1,300 acres, bounded on three sides by a loop of the little Gundak river. The soil is deep alluvial and is capable of growing successfully nearly every rain crop which can be grown in the plains of India. With irriga- tion from wells or from the river, it can grow successfully the majority of the more important garden crops. We have arranged for all necessary means of irrigation from the river and from wells, also for dealing with many im portant crops. The rainfall of Pusa and of Behar is generally secure , otherwise the district could not main- tain its population of 900 to 1,100 per square mile. Pusa is situated in the heart of intensive agriculture which is largely controlled by a community of indigo planters. Agricultural improvements through their influence, can be brought to the notice of ordinary cultivators in a manner which is unique for other parts of India. This was one reason why Pusa was selected as the central research station. Mr. Coventry, an experienced indigo planter and an extensive experimentor in agricultural problems, was selected as the Director. He has very particular opportunities of spreading very far afield the results of the research work and of the practical field enquiries which are undertaken at Pusa. We have at Pusa the Phipps' laboratory, a two- storied building, well-equipped with a laboratory for each branch of agricultural science and a physical laboratory. The main building also includes a library, museums for the various sections and the necessary lecture rooms. Quarters have been provided for the European and Indian staffs. There are recreation grounds, and I am glad to INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 3 say that the European staff, assistants and students are keen on sports. A hostel with accommodation for 70 stu- dents is provided, also a well-equipped hospital and dis- pensary. All sections were very badly housed at Pusa in tem- porary laboratories for some time. The head of each section now rejoices in having a well-equipped laboratory with all necessary fittings and apparatus. The Institute is served by water-power and electric installations. The amenities of the estate have been much improved in many ways. A new approach avenue to the Institute has been constructed, and the lawns surrounding the college building have been laid out under irrigation and sparsely planted parklike with trees and ornamental shrubs. The scrub and jungle growth on the estate has been mostly cleared, thus making preparation for bringing waste land under cultivation. The unsightly brick-fields near the en- trance to the estate, have been levelled and are now under cultivation with suitable ordinary crops. An area of some 150 acres has been reclaimed for arable cultivation. Prac- tically the whole of the estate is now under grass or cultiva- tion. It has been proved in the past that the Pusa estate is capable of growing very fine timber trees in the avenues and elsewhere; consequently we are endeavouring to im- prove the attractiveness of the estate by planting and pro- tecting young trees in the pasture areas, along the front- age of the river and in the avenues. The existing teak, shishum, bamboo, and mahogany avenues are an object lesson to many parts of India. We even expect to improve upon these. The fruit orchards and botanical area are now attractive features. A large vegetable garden is maintained. Many suitable trees on the riverside land have been inoculated with lac. Nineteen students in all the various sections were admit- ted for training in 1908-09. In regard to the scientific and practical teaching in the lecture rooms, in the labora- tories and in the fields at Pusa, my chief desire is that it b2 4 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH should be a means of helping, in a very practical way, the ordinary or improved agriculture of this country. I wish, therefore, to attract, from provincial agricultural colleges and from other colleges, students of high class ability who have been reared on the land. Many of such students are usually poor and cannot afford the expense of an advanced course in research work. Government have spent of late years large sums on the de- velopment of agriculture, and I am confident that Indian gentlemen generally interested in the work will do their share. There is perhaps no direction in which there is more scope for liberality of the most useful kind than in the founding of scholarships for students at Pusa. I refer below to some of the work done in each section at Pusa and by the Cotton Specialist. A full review of each report is not required here. Agriculture.— M.V. E. Shearer, Imperial Agriculturist, has done much useful work for the Department. He was absent on privilege leave from 2nd July to 30th September 1908, when his duties were carried on by the Director. Permanent manurial and rotation experiments were laid down last year on two blocks of 9 acres each. The land selected for these experiments has been tested and found sufficiently uniform for the purpose. Permanent pasture experiments were laid down in the monsoon of 1907. It is very important to know the best conditions in various parts of India under which pastures can, on practical lines, be properly established and improv- ed. This is the aim of the Pusa experiments, and it is believed that the results will be of very wide application, especially as similar grass experiments have been under- taken in some provinces. Already there is a decided change in the character of the hcrl)age in some of the manured plots at Pusa. Arable areas which are likely to be suitable for the extension of experimental work in the future, are being treated uniformly in regard to cultivation and cropping. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 5 The more important crops under trial at Pusa include wheat, barley, oats, maize, rice, various pulses, oil- seeds, sugarcane, jute, tlax, and tobacco. Efforts are being made to obtain and acclimatise the best indigenous and foreign varieties of these crops. Cotton varieties have been given up, as nearly all are unsuitable to Behar. Perhaps the most important line of work in the Agri- cutural Section at Pusa, refers to the breeding and rearing of farm live stock. A very select herd of Montgomery cattle, the premier milk breed of India, is maintained. A record of the milk yield of each cow is kept. It is hoped Lo raise the milking standard (which is now very high) by selection on the basis of these records, and to breed these cattle of one colour and of one type. I draw atten- tion to an interesting illustrated note which will appear in the October number of the Agricultural Journal of India for 1909. It refers to a large and remunerative export trade in Indian cattle which has recently arisen. Probably no Indian breed will meet the requirements of this foreign demand better than Montgomery cattle. They are useful for milk, for work and for beef, and in South Africa, in the Southern States of America and in the Straits Settle- ments they must prove useful, because pure and half-bred Indian cattle have been found to thrive well in these parts and are not affected bv flies and ticks in the same disastrous way as local cattle. Last cold weather 80 Bikanir ewes were purchased. These are a white-fleeced breed with a high reputation for yield and quality of wool. They are being crossed by dumha rams to give them hardiness and obtain improve- ment in the crosses as mutton and wool sheep. Poultry breeding is now conducted on a fairly large scale. During the last year 19 breeding pens of fowls re- presenting 10 pure breeds and 3 crosses, have been main- tained including turkeys, geese and ducks. The experience so far gained indicates that the breed of fowl fully suited to India will have to be developed by crossing. 6 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH With this aim in view various experiments are being tried at Pusa. Many enquiries are leceived for pure bred birds and for eggs for hatching. The farms in several provinces have been supplied with birds, and large orders are being booked from private individuals, chiefly in Madras and Burma Some of the pure and cross breeds reared at Pusa are being tried experimentally in the hills to determine how they stand the climate. Botany. — Mr. Howard has done a great deal of useful work for the agriculture and horticulture of India. He continued to be in charge of his section at Pusa except when he was on leave for six months from August 8th, 1907, to February 8th, 1908, when Mr. R. J. D. Graham, Supernumerary Economic Botanist, carried on the work of the section. The most important work done by Mr. Howard during the period under report is in relation to wheat. He has nearly completed the botanical survey of the wheats of India. The results are given in the first section of his book. Monograph on Indian Wheats, now in the press. Samples of wheat were sent to Mr. Humphries in England for milling and baking tests, the results of which are pub- lished in a bulletin. At Pusa several promising wheats have been isolated by selection and are now being tested for yield, agricultural characters and grain qualities. The plant-breeding work in wheat is now being con- ducted on a fairly large scale, and the separate cultures, many hundreds in number, extend over several acres. The main objects of this hybridization work are to im- prove the grain, straw and rust resistance of the Indian wheats. Considerable progress has been made in the in- vestigation into the influence of soil, climate and moisture on the character of the grain in wheat. Fruit cultivation on an extensive scale has been success- fully established. Most of the fruit trees are coming into bearing. The fruit experiments at Pusa have already INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 7 yielded results of considerable practical importance. They have proved the suitability of the soil and climate in Behar for growing certain important varieties of fruit. Preliminary experiments with high class fruit regard- ing sun-drying, evaporating and refrigerating, have been carried out. A method was devised and successfully tested for sending peaches long distances by rail in India. During the past year a considerable amount of pre- liminary work was accomplished by Mr. Howard on oil seeds of the genus Brassica, and a general study of the oil seeds of India will be undertaken. The races of both Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tahacum isolated at Pusa, have been studied. Arrangements have been made with the Peninsular Tobacco Company of Monghyr to conduct experiments at Pusa to ascertain the best varieties and the best means of growing tobacco suitable for the manufacture of cigarettes. Selection experiments with flax, Hibiscus canabinus and Crotalaria juncea, were continued, and some promising races isolated. Three varieties of sisal hemp {Agave rigida sisalana) have been established on a small scale. Progress has been made in the investigation work with barley, ganja and opium. The study of the varieties of cassava has been completed, and Mr. Hector is preparing a final report on this subject. Agricultural Chemistry. — Dr. Leather held charge of this section till 14th April 1909, when he went on leave, and the Supernumerary Agricultural Chemist, Mr. Annett. was appointed to officiate for him. Very few samples of agricultural materials are now sent up by provincial departments for analyses, as these departments have now their own chemists. An appreciable reduction has also taken place in the number of samples received from Native States, the Forest and Irrigation Departments and private persons. Dr. Leather had, therefore, more time for 8 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH original research and for larger investigations of im- por'vance to Indian agriculture generally. The work in the pot-culture house has led to im- portant field experiments, the results of which are likely to benefit cultivators at least in Behar in a very substantial way. These field experiments are devised to show that phosphatic manure can with economy and great advantage, be used for certain soils and many crops, particularly in parts of the Gangetic alluvium and especially in Behar. The Imperial Agricultural Chemist has a very im- portant investigation in progress on the effect of soil or manure on the composition of certain seeds. The results already obtained are remarkable. In conjunction with the Imperial Entomologist, Dr. Leather is investigating the prevention of injury by weevils to wheat and other grains when stored in bulk. This enquiry is of great importance, particularly as it is probable that the American " elevator system " of storing grain may be introduced into India at least on an experimental scale. Mr. Annett has conducted an interesting enquiry into the cause of the dark colour of the black cotton soil. The results of this enquiry are about to be published. Mycology. — Dr. Butler held charge of this section till 31st March 1909, when tlie Supernumerary Mycologist, Mr. W. McRae, M.A., B.Sc, was appointed to officiate for him. Mr. McRae arrived in India after deputation for six months to the laboratorv of Professor von Tubeuf at Munich. The transfer of the laboratories to the Phipps' building has greatly facilitated the work of this section. Dr. Butler should be congratulated in regard to the practical application of his work to the ordinary conditions of Indian agriculture. 'Hie requirements of provincial departments still con- tinue to make heavy calls upon the time of the Imperial Mycologist. Collections are being accumulated and worked out with such voluntary assistance as can be got outside INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. ^ India. Duplicate collections will be as far as possible supplied to provincial departments which already have mycological assistants. The fungi hitherto recorded from India have been in great part identified, and the information has been made readily accessible. The research work includes the examination of the life- history and general biology of parasites and their effects on the attacked plants. The wilt diseases of cotton, indigo, pigeon pea and gram were selected for special study, and the results already obtained will largely help Indian agriculture. A memoir on the work is now in the press. The experiments at the Poona farm to raise a strain of pigeon pea resistant to the wilt disease, have been in progress for four years and are promising well. Renewed experiments were made to elucidate the methods of infection of the red-rot disease of sugarcane which in India has been for a considerable period a very disastrous disease to this important crop. It is hoped that the new results will be published during the year, and advice of importance given. The study of the life-history of other sugarcane parasites has not yet reached the publication stage. Dr. Butler inspected the palm disease operations in the Godavari delta in September and December 1907 and in January 1909. Successful inoculations with the para- site were secured during 1908, and a further study of its life-history was made. The campaign against this disease has been particularly successful, and is still being pro- secuted earnestly by means of the special staff sanctioned by the Madras Government. I must note the fact that the results of this enquiry by Dr. Butler are so valuable to India that they are equivalent to saving the cost of his section to India for many years to come. The Imperial Mycologist visited Travancore in Sep- tember and October 1907 to investigate^ the cocoanut palm 10 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH disease that had broken out in that State. A report on that disease has been published. The Imperial Mycologist visited Kashmir in 1908 during the months of July, August and September, and enquired into diseases of mulberry and of imported fruit trees. The result of part of this work has been published, and recommendations made for dealing with mulberry diseases. The problem is very important, as many poor people in Kashmir derive much benefit from the silk operations and from the cultivation of good kinds of fruit. Dr. Butler will complete in a short time the text of a book on Indian plant diseases. It will be of great value to students of agriculture in India. Entomology. — Mr. Lefroy held charge of this section during the period under report. His indomitable energy appears throughout the work of his section. He continued to direct the work of entomological assistants in the prov- inces, but their number is still only 13, which is quite inadequate to make an appreciable impression upon the agriculture of India. A beginning only has been made. The teaching of entomology at the provincial agricul- tural colleges and also at demonstrations and at shows has made fair progress. Attention has been given in provinces to the study of the life-histories and habits of injurious insects. In the Punjab the effects of cotton boll- worm and its parasites has been closely watched. The work on the insects of the plains of India was con tinned. Assistance was given to firms dealing with mohtva, with brush-making and with cheroots in regard to insects damaging these articles. Valuable results have been obtained in the cultivation of m-silk during the past year on a small scale at Pusa, and it is intended to continue this as the basis of a small cottage industry in several parts of India. This industry INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. H is being taken up in Tirhoot and Gujarat. The purely experimental work on ^W-silk is almost completed. The cultivation of mulberry silk has been taken up. The question of tussar silk is also being investigated. The cultivation of lac was continued at Pusa as a demonstration to students and for much wider practical application in villages. Some owners of indigo factories in Behar have taken up lac cultivation on a fairly large scale. These men were supplied with seed and informa- tion, and their assistants were trained in lac culture. Assistance was also given to the Bikanir State in regard to the possibilities of lac culture there. Mr. Lefroy has started apiculture with a few stocks of European bees to determine how far they thrive in the plains of India. The Supernumerary Entomologist, Mr. Mason, visited the various centres at which army stores are baled and stored, to investigate the occurrence in clothing, etc., of the destructive insect Anthrenus vorax. On the completion of this enquiry recommendations were made for better baling. Mr. Mason continued the enquiry into the value of insect eating birds. The general collection of insects of India apart from the purely economic one, has been completely arranged. Enquiry into the question of preventing the introduc- tion of fungus and insect pests by importation of plants and seeds was made in order to devise remedial measures The text-book on Indian Insect Pests continues to in- crease in popularity. Its translation in Bengali has been prepared. Mr. Lefroy's great work on Indian Insect Life has been issued. A series of excellent coloured plates with short printed explanations illustrating injurious insects, have been issued for use in agricultural colleges, museums and farms and at l2 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH exhibitions and shows. This series will be continued and will cover silk, lac, bees and beneficial insects. The best methods of preparing exhibits of injurious insects for shows are also being tested with a view to find out the class of exhibits that most appeal to the public. Further, a series of lantern slides in colour are being pre- pared in order that lantern lectures may be given at such shows. Mr. Hewlett, Second Imperial Entomologist, arrived at Pusa in December 1907. He has undertaken the in- vestigation of those biting flies of whose habits little or nothing has been hitherto known in India. With a view to obtain materials for this enquiry, sets of apparatus and copies of the bulletin on biting flies, have been issued to persons and associations likely to render help. In this connection Mr. Hewlett is in complete touch with special officers of the medical and veterinary departments. He arranged in February 1909 an exhibition of all kinds of blood-sucking and parasitic insects for the pathological section of the Bombay Medical Congress, and read a paper on the habits of sand flies. He has ascertained the life- histories of nearly all the mosquitos which occur in Pusa, and has found two species of fish which are capable of destroying large numbers of anopheles larvae. A report on the natural enemies of mosquitos was furnished to the Director of Agriculture, Bengal. A comprehensive investigation of the several species of fruit flies which attack mangoes, peaches, etc., is in pro- gress. The life-histories of several of these have been worked out, and methods of destroying the mango fly have been tested with success. An attempt to check the annual attack of these pests on the peaches grown at Pusa, was so far successful this year that the period of severity was postponed; thus the Imperial Economic Botanist was able to complete certain experiments. Mr. Froggatt, Entomologist to the Government of New South Wales, visited Pusa in June 1908, to obtain informa- INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. I3 tion regarding the fruit flies in India, the Australian fruit flies being related to those found in India. Specimens have, therefore, been supplied to him. Arrangements have also been made with Professor Silvestri to supply parasites of some of the South Indian species in the hope that they may be utilized against the olive fruit fly, a species which inflicts great damage in Italy. Specimens have been lent to the Indian Museum, Calcutta, in connection with the revision of nomenclature of various groups of Indian diptera. A large representative collection of tabanidse has also been lent to the British Museum to assist in like manner the revision of that family now in progress. Mr. Howlett contributed to Indian Insect Life the por- tions relating to Diptera and the sections on Mallophaga, anoplura and cimicidae. A memoir on sand flies is under preparation in colla- boration with Dr. Annandale of the Indian Museum. Mr. Howlett controls the work of the artists at Pusa and is endeavouring to raise the standard of illustration work which is a most valuable part of the publications of the Imperial department. Cotton. — Cotton continued to receive a great deal of attention from the agricultural departments. Mr. G. A. Gammie who has done much useful work in cotton, was appointed Imperial Cotton Specialist in December 1907. His report is separately published with those of the heads of sections at Pusa. It is unnecessary to minutely review it here. The co-ordination of the experiments that are being conducted on this crop, will now be possible, and Mr. Gammie's advice in the improvement of cotton ought to prove of great help to the department. The principal lines of improvement attempted have been {a) selection and dis- tribution of cotton seed, {h) introduction of superior indi- genous varieties and better methods of cultivation, {c) hybridization and {d) trial of exotic varieties, 14 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (a) Selection and Distribution op Seed. — The distri- bution of seed of selected pickings from cultivators' fields, has been in progress for more than four years in several provinces, but without any marked result. This is hardly surprising, for such selection, v^hile no doubt supplying sound seed, is, properly speaking, no selection at all, since the fields ordinarily contain many varieties mixed together. It is by separating types and continued plant-to-plant se- lection that real improvement can be effected. This line of v^ork is now being followed on Government experimental stations with very encouraging results. On the Surat farm, the different types found mixed in Khandesh cotton have been isolated and have been sown separately to deter- mine the comparative value of each. Similar experiments are in progress in Madras. At Akola in the Central Prov- inces promising work is in progress in the separate cultiva- tion of the four distinct varieties of cotton which are now grown mixed by the ryots under the names jari and kati 'cllayati. Of these the malvensis seems to be a distinctly superior variety, and special attention is being directed towards selection from it. Eight cotton seed farms were worked by private agencies in the Central Provinces in 1908 under the guarantee of the provincial department against loss. Such farms have been in existence for the last four years. They grow the ordinary jari and hani varieties of cotton, but are situated in districts which have special reputation for the high quality of their cotton. The seed of first and second pickings is purchased by the provincial department at more than market rates for distribution. In course of time when the selection now going on at the experimental sta- tions has borne fruit, these farms will become useful agen- cies for the distribution of improved strains of seed. The ultimate object is to establish a number of such farms in- dependent of the department, but receiving, when required, assistance in the provision oi seed, trained staff or advice. In the Punjab, Bengal and United Provinces, selection of cotton seed is in progress. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. ^5 (b) Introduction of Superior Indigenous Varieties AND Beter Methods of Cultivation. — ^There has been a marked extension of this line of work, especially in Bombay and Madras. The introduction of Broach cotton into the Dharwar district has been attended with considerable success. This cotton is superior to the locally grown Katrifta variety not only in quality, but also apparently in average yield per acre and in lint percentage. In 1908 sixteen thousand pounds seed of Broach cotton from Navsari were sown in these parts in addition to some of the seed of this crop grown locally in 1907. Steps are being taken to get the people to cultivate it properly and to adopt a cleaner system of picking. Some efforts were made to introduce Broach cotton under irrigation in the Deccaii, but owing to faulty cultivation and irrigation on the part of the cultivators, the experiments were not successful. Attempts have been made to improve the quality of Broach cotton in northern Gujarat by introducing seed of the superior Navsari variety from the south of the district. In the Tinnevelly district of Madras the karungani variety has been found to be superior in quality and yield to the uffam variety. Arrangements were, therefore, made by the provincial department to sell pure karungani seed sufficient to sow about 8,000 acres in 1908. This work was partly helped by the grant from the British Cotton Grow- ing Association. The Madras Agricultural Department has also made successful efforts to improve the ryots' me- thods of cotton cultivation. Expert cultivators are sent to teach the use of the country drill and bullock-hoe and to demonstrate the value of improved cultivation. Imple- ments are supplied free of cost and expert labourers are sent to help the growers. The advantages of the drill are becoming widely appreciated, and in all 1,000 acres of private land were sown with the drill last year, and many ryots have learned to use the drill. (c) Hybridization.-— Experiments in hybridization were continued at several centres. They have brought to light 16 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH some new ideas which, however, require confirmation. The crosses at the Siirat farm have been found to be undergo- ing considerable variation. Although their lints have a relative advantage in quality over the ordinary Surat cotton, the ginning percentage is steadily falling. (The percentage has fallen from 36-9 to 30-3 during the last five years.) The crosses have not yet been grown on a sufficiently large scale to properly test the outturn per acre. The lints of 21 hybrids grown on the Surat station were valued from 5 to 10 per cent, above fine Broach. At Dharwar some encouraging results have been obtained by crossing inter se newly introduced varieties from America and Egypt. Work on similar lines is being done in the Central Prov- inces and Madras, but until the hybrids show greater stability it is impossible to estimate their value. {d) Trials of Exotic Varieties. — Trials of exotic varieties on Government farms and in cultivators' fields were continued. It is disappointing to have to record a set-back in the expectations previously formed regarding Egyptian cotton in Sind. Up to 1907 the area under this cotton was increasing, but last year, owing to the short supply of water till long after the proper sowing season, the area decreased, and the quantity and quality of the produce much deteriorated. Further, on account of faulty methods of cultivation, careless picking and admixture of leaves and dirt, the produce was so inferior that great difficulty was experienced in disposing of it. There were no bidders at the three auctions held in November, December and January last. The cotton was ultimately sold to a Bombay firm who wanted it for a particular trade purpose and paid only Rs. 9 per maund for ahassi and Rs. 8-6-0 for metafifi as against a minimum of Rs. 11 per maund secured in the previous year. The average outturn per acre of Egyptian cotton in Sind has been during the last four years much lower than that of the hardier indigenous variety and much less than was originally expected. This is mainly due to bad INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. ]_7 cultivation on the part of the ryots who do not follow the instructions of the agricultural department. Unless culti- vation is improved and sufficient flow irrigation is obtained as early as March-April, there is no likelihood of Egyptian cotton being established as a general field crop in Sind. The Government of Bombay are taking steps to secure these conditions. It is disappointing, however, to record that this year (1909) no sowings in Sind of Egyptian cotton have been made on account of the difficulties of water supply. Some promising results have been obtained from the trials of American and Cambodia cottons in parts of the Southern Maratha country. The area sown with American cotton in the Jhelum colony of the Punjab increased in 1907, but on account of the scarcity of labour due to the epidemic of plague, the area was restricted last year. There has been, however, no large decrease in the number of cultivators growing this cotton. Arrangements were made last winter to dispose of the produce by auction as is done with Sind-grown Egyptian cotton, and the results were most satisfactory, the cultivators obtaining an adequate price for their produce. The trials with Egyptian cotton in the Punjab have not yielded any satisfactory results. The Economic Botanist has now imported a new variety which he considers better suited to the Punjab. Acclimatised American cotton was successfully grown in 1907 by many cultivators in the Aligarh district of the United Provinces, and there was a large increase in the demand for seed for the next year's crop. It is anticipated that the quantity of this cotton will soon be sufficient for putting it on the market on a commercial scale and the prices offered will determine whether it will be permanent- ly established in these provinces. In the Central Provinces and Bengal hurhi cotton (an acclimatised variety of American type) has continued to give successful results. Efforts are being made to extend g 13 REPORT CF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE. the area under this cotton and to improve the quality and outturn by selection. In the Central Provinces arrange- ments v^ere made during 1908-09 to secure a large supply of seed for distribution. It is a good cropper in districts of fairly heavy rainfall, yields a high percentage of lint of good quality and is comparatively immune to wilt. In Madras and Burm^, experiments with Egyptian and other varieties of cotton are in progress. Tree Cottons. — Further trials with tree cottons have confirmed the opinion which I have previously expressed, viz., that they will never enter into regular cultivation in India. The experiments made by Messrs. Shaw, Wallace and Company with this class of cotton have generally failed. The cliief centre of their operations was the Mour- bhunj Farm. One hundred and seventy acres were plant- ed out with perennial cottons in 1907. In the succeeding year this area was increased to about 300 acres. In August 1908 the plantations were inspected by me in company with the Director of Agriculture, Bengal, and a report was submitted to Government. The experiments had failed and therefore have been abandoned since March, 1909, Some success has been obtained with the Bourdon variety in the Bombay Presidency and favourable results have been obtained here and there in Assam and Burma, but the place of tree cottons as a field crop in Indian agriculture is very limited. J. MOLLISON, M.R.A.C, Inspector General of Agriculture in India. Simla; The 5th August 1909. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (B. Coventry, Esq.) 1. Charge. — The Director returned from nine months' combined privilege leave and furlough on 27th November 1907, and for the remainder of the period under report, was in charge of his office. 2. Staff. — The European scientific staff of the Institute consisted as follows :^ —(1) The Imperial Agriculturist with one Supernumerary, (2) The Imperial Agricultural Chemist with one Supernumerary, (3) The Imperial Eco- nomic Botanist with one Supernumerary, (4) The Imperial Entomologist with one Supernumerary, (5) The Second Imperial Entomologist and (6) The Imperial Mycologist with one Supernumerary. Mr. C. J. Bergtheil, Imperial Bacteriologist, who for the last five years was on deputa- tion with the Bengal Government carrying on investiga- tions connected with indigo manufacture, joined his appointment at Pusa on the 1st April 1909, after the expiry of his deputation, but soon after (28th June) relinquished his post. Mr. F. M. Howlett, B.A., Second Imperial Entomologist, arrived from England on the 23rd November 1907 and commenced his investigation on diftera. Mr. G. P. Hector, M.A., B.Sc, arrived on the 14th January 1908 and took up the post of Supernumerary Economic Botanist in succession to Mr. R. J. D. Graham, M.A., B.Sc, transferred to the Central Provinces. Mr. W. McRae, M.A., B.Sc, Supernumerary Mycologist, arrived on the 28th March 1908. Mr. W. Roberts, B.Sc, Supernum- erary Agriculturist, was deputed to Bombay Presidency in April 1908 to assist the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Mr. A. G. Birt, B.Sc, Supernumerary Agriculturist, was in May 1908 transferred to the Agricultural Depart- ment, Eastern Bengal and Assam, as Acting Assistant c 2 20 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Director of Agriculture. Mr. E. Holmes-Smith, B.Sc, Economic Botanist-designate of Burma, arrived from Eng- land on the 7th October 1908 to undergo training under the Imperial Economic Botanist, and Mr. G. C. Sherrard, B.A., Supernumerary Agriculturist, arrived from England on the 19th November 1908. Drs. J. W. Leather and E. J. Butler proceeded on leave from the 15th and 1st April 1909 respec- tively, and Mr. H. E. Annett, B.Sc, Supernumerary Agri- cultural Chemist, and Mr. W. McRae, Supernumerary Mycologist, were appointed to officiate in the posts of Im- perial Agricultural Chemist and Imperial Mycologist re- spectively. 3. Scientific Work. — The scientific work of the Insti- tute during the period is indicated in the reports of the various sections. 4. College, Grounds, Roads, etc. — The College building has been taken over from the Public Works Department and has been fully occupied by the various sections. The spacious compound surrounding the College has been laid out; a general improvement in the condition of the roads and avenues has been introduced. Nearly 150 acres have been added to the cultivated area. 5. Students. — The College was opened for students in July 1908. The number of students admitted during the year was 19. Of these, 2 came for training in practical agriculture, 2 in economic botany (one for a special course in fruit pruning and weathering), 2 in chemistry, 7 in entomology, 3 in mycology and 3 came for a general course in agriculture. Seven students left after completion of training; one left on account of ill- health, and one was recalled to his province before comple- tion. The student from the Central Provinces who came for a training in entomology died before completing his course. In addition to the training in the agricultural sciences above referred to, special classes have been opened to give a short industrial training in subjects such as lac cultivation and sericulture, and there are now 2 students INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 21 receiving a course of instruction in the latter subject. In the coming year it is intended to enlarge these special industrial trainings by the addition of more subjects such as fruit-growing, poultry-management, dairying, etc. It is hoped that these short courses will assist in reviving several old industries and promoting new ones which may profitably be worked as cottage industries. 6. Publications. — Much assistance has been given by the senior members of the staff in the preparation of publica- tions. Special mention should be made of Dr. Leather who has had charge of the photographic department, of Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy who supervised the passing through the press of all the illustrations connected with publica- tions, until he handed over the work to Mr. Hewlett, and of the latter gentleman who, during the last year, has not only been responsible for the preparation and publication of illustrations, but has also assisted much in seeing the printed matter through the press. 7. Library. — The library contains over 6,000 volumes. The transfer of the books from the old building to the new, their arrangement and cataloguing have taken up a good deal of thought and time, and I am greatly indebted for the assistance that has been given in these matters by Dr. E. J. Butler, Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy and Mr. A. Howard. A new catalogue, revised and corrected up to 31st December 1908, is in the press. 8. General Health of the Station. — The general health of the station has been good. There was an outbreak of chicken-pox and acute ophthalmia amongst the inenial establishment in April 1908. In March 1909, there were four cases of confluent small-pox among the subordinate staff; all recovered, and by prompt disinfection and isola- tion further spread of the disease was stopped. In the hospital, relief was given to 5,716 cases of whom 190 wc^re indoor patients. The number of cases treated amongst European otficials and their families was 226. The opera- tions performed numbered 171 of which 14 were major. REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICUTURIST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (E. Shearer, M.A., B.Sc.) 1. Charge and Estahlish7rient. — The Imperial Agricul- turist was absent on privilege leave from 10th September to 4th October 1907, and from 2nd July to 30th September 1908, when his duties were carried on by the Director; for the rest of the period under report he was in charge of his section. Mr. A. G. Birt, Supernumerary Agriculturist, worked in the section until 8th June 1908, when he was deputed to Eastern Bengal and Assam to officiate as Assistant Director of Agriculture. Mr. G. C. Sherrard joined the section as Supernumerary Agriculturist on 20th November 1908. There have been no important changes in the subordinate staff. Excellent work has been done by Mr. Judah Hyam, Veterinary Overseer, who has been in charge of the breeding herds, Mr. Gulabbhai Desai and Mr. M. Ikramuddin, Farm Overseers, and Mr. Ziauddin Hyder, fieldman in charge of the poultry. 2. Training. — Four men from Eastern Bengal and Assam have completed courses of two years, nine months, six months, and three months, respectively, in practical agriculture. Of these, two are now in charge of experi- mental farms, one is a fieldman and the other who is a graduate in agriculture of Cornell University, United States of America, is temporarily in charge of the Dacca experimental farm, but is intended for the post of Agri- cultural Supervisor in his province. Two students sent by the Punjab Agricultural Department for the general course in agriculture, remained under training. Mr. Gore, Man^ ager of the Salvation Army's farm in Gujarat, came for a short practical course last cold weather. 3. Cropping and Character of the Seasons. — The general cropping followed the same lines as in previous 24: REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH years, being chiefly determined by the requirements of the breeding herds. Areas which promise to be suitable for future experimental work, have been treated uniformly with regard to cultivation and cropping, the produce of each acre weighed separately and the lands otherwise kept under close observation. Two blocks of 9 acres each were selected as suitable for the permanent manurial and rota- tion experiments referred to below. The rainfall for the year 1907-08 was 32-35 inches (the normal being about 45 inches) and was badly distributed. There was a long break in the rains in July and August, and from the latter part of September till early January there was no rain. Cold weather sowings were made under very dry conditions, but the rains in the latter part of the cold weather were good. Notwithstanding the generally unfavourable conditions, the crops both kharif and rabi were excellent. The rainfall from the 1st of June 1908 to the 31st of March 1909 (which covers the kharif and rabi cropping seasons) was 18-23 inches. The monsoon arrived a full month later than usual and was very scanty, but kharif crops turned out to be little under the average. Rabi sowings, however, were made with very short moisture, and as practically no rain fell till the crops were in ear, the yields were reduced to less than Jth of the normal. The experience of the last two years would seem to fix the minimum rainfall with which good kharif and rabi crops can be successively grown on the same land, as somewhere between 20 and 30 inches, if moderately well distributed. A considerable proportion of the rainfall is lost by surface drainage in heavy falls, so that the actual crop requirements are comparatively small. But it is only on very fine grained soils, such as the north Behar alluvium, where evaporation can be reduced to a minimum by suitable cultivation, that full advantage can be taken of the actual rain absorbed by the soil, and again suitable cultivation presupposes good cattle and efficient moisture-conserving implements which in this part of India are in the hands of few. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 25 4. Special Croups under Experiment. — These included (a) sugarcane, {h) jute, (c) flax, and {d) tobacco. {a) Sugarcane. — Experimental work on sugarcane is at present confined to determining the best varieties and the best conditions as regards cultivation, manuring, planting and irrigation. The results obtained will have only a local application, and it is recognised that the present work must either pave the way for larger investigations on this important crop, or, if local conditions are found to be unsuitable, work on the crop will be abandoned altoge- ther. In the course of the last five years a large number of thick and of thin varieties of cane from all parts of India have been under trial. With regard to the thick varieties it has been found to be impossible, even with liberal manuring, to obtain the heavy crops grown in the best cane tracts, the maximum yield hitherto obtained being 35 tons of stripped canes per acre. The length and thickness of the individual canes are satisfactory, but the stools are deficient in tillering power, and the fact that many, from various causes, succumb altogether during the growing season, is further evidence of rather low vitality. The thin varieties, on the other hand, in most cases tiller ex- tremely well, and with an application of oil cake or farm- yard manure equivalent to lOOtb of nitrogen per acre, and with one or at most two waterings after planting, can, in a normal season, be depended on to give yields of 30 tons of stripped canes per acre. This, considering the compara- tively low expenditure on the crop, is quite a satisfactory return. Various sugar factories have been established in Behar in the last few j^ears, and these deal almost entirely with thin canes. Provided the difficulty is overcome of securing from a moderate distance a sufficient supply of canes to keep the mills going, there appears to be no reason why these should not prove a success. (h) Jute. — Forty-four varieties of jute were grown on an area of 8 acres in 1907 and gave an average yield of 16|- maunds of fibre per acre, the season being no better than 26 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the average with regard to moisture conditions. At one time there seemed to be a fair prospect of jute being grown in Behar on a large scale, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient labour at the time of retting, the fall of the abnormally high prices of three years ago to their normaJ level, and the fact that in a very dry hot season like that of 1908 the crop may be a complete failure, has discouraged further cultivation. The Fibre Expert to the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam has taken over the collection of varieties for classification and selection, but otherwise the crop is no longer grown at Pusa. (c) Flax. — The results of the experiments with flax continue to be promising. In the rabi season of 1907-08 the yield and the quality of the flax straw were quite good, and there seems to be little reason to doubt that when the requirements of the crop are properly understood, flax will be capable of being successfully grown in Behar. (d) Tobacco. — Zimmer's Spanish tobacco was grown on an area of 5 acres in the cold weather of 1908-09 for experimental curing in the curing house, but at the critical moment the expert assistance promised could not be obtained. In any case, owing to the unfavourable seasonal conditions, the crop was considerably below the normal both in yield and in quality. 5. Manurial Experiments on Wheat. — In the cold weather of 1907-08, calcium cyanamide and calcium nitrate were compared with sodium nitrate, Indian saltpetre, sulphate of ammonia, rape-cake and farm-yard manure as fertilizers for wheat. Owing to an attack of white-ants and the late application of the manures in a rather dry season, the results of the experiment were somewhat inconclusive, but calcium cyanamide and calcium nitrate proved as effective as any of the other manures except rape-cako. The readiness with which the latter manure becomes available as plant food, even under fairly dry conditions, is remarkable. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 27 6. Green Manuring. — Green manuring has been very successful, especially in the case of lands newly reclaimed from jungle. By green manuring such lands, they are immediately brought into a condition of high fertility, whereas under ordinary conditions moderate fertility is only obtained after two or three years' cultivation. Sann- hemp is a crop ordinarily employed for ploughing in. It grows rapidly and gives a large bulk for ploughing in about the middle of the monsoon, and becomes sufficiently decomposed before the sowing of the succeeding rahi crop to avoid danger of the land drying out from being too loose. The effects of green manuring are very marked in the two following crops and are discernible for two or three crops more. 7. Permanent Manurial and Rotation Experiments. — These were laid down last year according to the scheme described in the Proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, held in February 1908. It will be after some years only that the results obtained will have their full value. The kharif yields varied, on the whole, very consistently with the doses of manure applied, thus showing that the land selected was sufficiently uniform for the purpose. The rahi sown plots were so poor as in most cases to be incap- able of being harvested. 8. Permanent Pasture Exferiments. — Owing to the ever-increasing contraction of grazing areas in India, it is of importance to know the best conditions under which good pastures can be established and maintained. That good pastures can be grown in many parts of India there is little doubt. An area of 80 acres of unmanured pasture at Pusa was found sufficient to supply all the green food required by two hundred head of cows and young cattle for six months in the year while yielding quite a substantial amount in the remaining six months. Consequently, a series of permanent pasture experiments was laid down in the monsoon of 1907 according to the scheme described in the Proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, held in 28 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH February 1908, and it is anticipated that interesting and valuable information will be obtained. Already there i.s a decided change in the character of the herbage in some of the manured plots. 9. Breeding. — The Montgomery herd of cows con- tinues to do well. The high milking qualities of this breed are year by year becoming more appreciated, and dealers from distant parts of India now carry off large numbers from the half-yearly fairs at Amritsar. Out of the Pusa herd of 39 cows, 16 have given over 4,000tb each of milk in their last lactation period (under a year in each case), and of these five have given over 5,000fb each, one has given 6,300fb and another just under 6,0001d. When it is re- membered that the average yield of milk in some of the best dairying districts in England, is said to be under 5,000ib; and with a considerably lower percentage of butter fat than is found in the milk of the Montgomery breed, it is possible to realise what a valuable asset India has in the latter. At Pusa there is now the nucleus of what promises to be a very fine herd, and the work of raising its milking power by selection based on the milk records, is probably the most important at present in hand in this section. The local herd of cattle is still maintained on behalf of the Bengal Government. How far it is likely to prove useful is still uncertain. This year there was considerable difficulty in disposing of all the young bulls even at com- paratively low prices. This may have been due to the scarcity of fodder in the district. There can be little doubt, however, that if the herd is to be fully successful, it must be transferred to the Bengal Agricultural Depart- ment whose officers alone are in close touch with the dis- tricts which the herd is intended to benefit. During last cold weather 80 Bikanir ewes were pur- chased. These are a white-fleeced breed with a high re- putation for yield and quality of wool. The change from the arid conditions of the Bikanir desert to the moist climate and new food of Behar, induced a severe attack of INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 29 dysentery from which 30 died in a short time. The re- mainder, however, are now doing well. They are being crossed by a diimha ram by which means it is hoped to obtain greater hardiness, constitution and earlier matur- ity. Attention will also be paid to maintaining the quality of the wool by careful selection. Poultry breeding is now conducted on a fairly large scale. During the last year there have been 19 pens of fowls representing 10 pure breeds and 3 crosses. It is too soon yet to say how the imported fowls will do. The difficulties of disease and pests incident to the introduction of Western live stock of any sort into India, have had to be faced, and they have been formidable. In the light of the experience already gained, arrangements have been made which will obviate some of the difficulties encountered. Again, many of the more recently produced breeds of fowl are partly of Eastern origin, and for this reason and because of the greater vitality which has resulted from their mixed origin, adapt themselves with greater readiness to Indian conditions. The great fecundity of fowls, as compared with larger animals, is another factor in their favour. But, while there will always be a demand on the part of fanciers for pure breeds, there is little doubt that the breed of fowl fully suited to India will have to be built up in India, and with this end in view various crosses are being tried at Pusa. 10. General Improvement of the Estate. — Fully 100 acres have been added to the cultivated area. Much still remains to be done in the way of reclamation, but the back of the work has been broken, and as soon as sufficient work- cattle are obtained, this kind of work will soon be brought to a conclusion. 11. Programme for 1909-10. — The permanent manu- rial and rotation and the permanent pasture experiments will be continued. Experimental work on flax will be continued. Work on sugarcane will be continued. Barley, maize, sorghum, cow-pea, rice and castor varieties will be tested. 30 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Breedino^ work will be further extended. Selection in the Montgomery herd on the basis of milk records will be continued. It is anticipated that the Bengal Agricul- tural Department will take over the herd of local cattle. Sheep breeding will be continued on the lines indicated in the report. The breeding and distribution of fowls will be continued. The training of students will be continued. Attention will be paid to the general improvement of the estate. REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL ECONOMIC BOTANIST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (A. Howard, M.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S.) Charge of Office. — The Imperial Economic Botanist held charge of this section during the period under review, with the exception of six months from August 8th, 1907, to February 8th, 1908, when he took combined leave on account of illness, and Mr. R. J. D. Graham, M.A., B.Sc, Supernumerary Botanist, was placed in charge of current duties. While on leave he visited the various botanical gardens and experiment stations in Ceylon and spent some time at Peradenia, the head-quarters of the Ceylon Agri- cultural Department. He is indebted to Dr. Willis, the Director, for special facilities in studying the work and organisation of his department. Some new ideas were obtained which he hopes to make use of in India. Visits were also paid to some of the leading cacao, rubber, and tea estates in the island. Some work on geographical dis- tribution was done at Newara Eliya, a paper on which it is hoped to publish shortly in England. 2. Teaching and Training. — The teaching work of the- section commenced on October 1st, 1908, with two students from the Central Provinces. One of these was sent for a special course on the principles of fruit growing, the other for a general course of training in economic botany to fit him for the duties of first assistant to the Professor of Botany at the Nagpur Agricultural College. Both these students did excellent work and profited very considerably by their stay at Pusa. Two students from the mycologi- cal section attended the course of lectures and practical work on physiology in this section. During the present session two students from ihe Punjab have joined the section for a general course, and at least two more students 32 KEPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH are expected in October next for the special course on the principles of fruit growing. In addition to the external students, three super- numerary botanists have received training in the period under report. Of these Mr. R. J. D. Graham, M.A., B.Sc, left in February 1908, to take up the post of Economic Botanist in the Central Provinces. Mr. G. P. Hector, M.A., B.Sc, Economic Botanist-designate of Eastern Bengal and Assam, arrived at Pusa on January, 22nd. 1908, and remained under training. Mr. E. Holmes-Smith, B.Sc, Economic Botanist-designate of Burma, joined the section on October 12th, 1908, for six months' training in economic botany. This period has since been extended. Mr. Abdul Rahman Khan, formerly Manager of the Lyallpur Farm, joined the section as an assistant on October 11th, 1908, and has undergone a special course of training since. He has worked well, has made a good deal of progress and has shown considerable aptitude for the work of plant breeding. 3. Wheat Investigations. — Considerable progress has been made with the investigations on Indian wheat. The quality of the wheat produced in India is a question of the greatest importance, both from the point of view of local consumption, and also of the export trade. Little attention, however, seems hitherto to have been paid to this matter. It appeared likely, both from the appearance of the grain and also of the nitrogen percentage, that some of the pure culture wheats at Pusa and Lyallpur were markedly superior in quality to the ordinary soft whites like Muzaffernaggar largely grown for export. Accordingly the co-operation of Mr. A. E. Humphries, a past President of the Incorporated National Association of British and Irish Millers and the highest authority in the Empire on the milling and baking properties of wheats, was secured with regard to the wheats of India. An arrangement was at the same time made with Dr. Leather, Imperial Agricultural Chemist, for the necessary analyti- cal work to be done at Pusa. The first set of samples for INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 33 milling and baking tests were sent to England after the wheat harvest of 1908, and Mr. Humphries' report more than bore out the expectation that India can grow high grade wheats. This report was submitted for publication in the form of a bulletin in September last. Although several of the Punjab samples were superior to Muzaffer- naggar white, Mr. Humphries considered that one of the Pusa selections, No. 6, was distinctly the best wheat. The publication of the bulletin has attracted a considerable amount of attention, and it was submitted by the Direc- tor of the Punjab Agricultural Department for the opinion of the Incorporated National Association of British and Irish Millers. The council of this association unanimously supported Mr. Humphries and Imperial Economic Botanist, and a full account of the proceedings is to be found in the Miller of May 3rd last, and was reprinted in the Indian Trade Journal of June 3rd, 1909. A second set of 28 samples of wheats was sent to England for testing during the present year. Intimately associated with the quality of wheat is the question of the influence of such conditions as soil, climate and moisture on the grain characters. It w^as found in 1908 that the sam.e sample of Muzal'fernaggar wheat sown at Lyallpur, Muzafi'ernaggar and Pusa, gave rise to grain markedly differing in appearance, analysis and milling and baking qualities. In order to investigate this subject further, and also to discover experimentally a scientific basis for a scheme for wheat distribution in the Indu- Gangetic plain, this work has been considerably extended during the past rahi season in collaboration with Mr. H. M. Leake, Economic Botanist to the United Provinces. The co-operation of other officers of the agricultural depart- ments was obtained, and experiments were successfully carried out at the following stations : — Pusa, Bankipore, Dumraon, Partabgarh, Cawnpore, Orai, Alighar, Meerut and Lyallpur. Mr. Evans has promised to assist next rahi at Hoshangabad. The results of this year's work will be 34 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH published as soon as Mr. Humphries' report has been received. The botanical survey of the wheats of India was completed during the last year, and an account of this work forms the first section of the book, Monograp/i on Indian Wheats, now in the press. The report on the detailed agricultural survey of the wheats of the Punjab was completed during the year, and for this work the thanks of the Local Government were received through the Director of Agriculture, Punjab. A similar survey of the wheats of Bengal was completed during the year, and the results of this work will be published after the next rabi harvest. Bengal apparently possesses some wheats new to science. Perhaps the most important section of the wheat inves- tigations is that concerned with selection and hybridiza- tion at Pusa. Several promising wheats have been isolated by selection and are now being tested for yield, agricul- tural characters and grain qualities. The plant-breeding work is now being conducted on a large scale, and the separate cultures, many hundreds in number, extend over several acres. The main object of this hybridization work is to improve the grain, straw, and rust resistance of the Indian wheats. The results already obtained are of the very greatest promise. During the progress of the wheat investigations at Lyallpur, a comparison was made between the wheats of the Punjab and those of the United Provinces. The superior- ity of the former in vigour and straw characters was most marked. Accordingly during the past year a set of the types of Punjab wheat was placed at the disposal of the Economic Botanist, United Provinces, for growth at Cawnpore. The result surpassed expectations. These wheats showed a marked superiority over the other wheats cultivated at this station, and Mr. Leake has arranged to continue the testing of these wheats in the United Prov- inces. Besides the report on the Punjab wheats and the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 35 bulletin on the milling and baking tests, two publications on this crop have been completed during the year. A memoir on The Varietal Characters of Indian Wheats has been published. Three papers on wheat dealing with the results obtained in the harvest of 1909 are in preparation. 4. Fruit. — The fruit experiments at Pusa have already yielded results of considerable practical importance, but it was impossible to find time to write during the last year a second report giving an account of these results. It is hoped, however, to take up this work shortly. Good crops of oranges, limes, custard apples, peaches, plums, guavas, and loquats were grown, and the litchis and man- goes are coming into bearing. Preliminary experiments on sun-drying, evaporating and refrigerating, were carried out, and a method was devised and successfully tested for sending peaches long distances by rail in India. 5. Fibres. — Selection experiments in the case of flax fatwa {Hibiscus cannabinus) and sunn-hemp {Crotalaria juncea) have been continued, and some promising races isolated. Three varieties of sisal-hemp {Agave rigida sisalana) have been established on a large scale. 6. Oil Seeds. — During the year a considerable amount of preliminary work was accomplished on the cultivated oil seeds of the genus brassica, and the study of the oil seeds of India will be considerably developed during future years. 7. Minor Investigations. — The study "of the cassava varieties has been completed, and Mr. Hector is engaged in the preparation of a final report on this subject. He has completed the botanical examination of the Pusa pas- ture experiments, and the final report has been submitted. The work on ganja, barley and opium has been continued. 8. Tobacco. — A good deal of attention has been paid during the year to tobacco. The races of both Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum which have been iso- lated at Pusa, have been studied. A memoir summing up D 2 36 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the work 'on the yellow flowered tobaccos of India {Nicoti- ana rustica) has been submitted for publication, and a second memoir dealing with the classification, description and biology of the races of Nicotiana tahacum, is in pre- paration. The method of growing this crop by furrow- irrigation, was further tested and improved during the year. Arrangements have been made with the Peninsular Tobacco Company of Monghyr, to conduct a series of experiments at Pusa to ascertain the best variety and the best means of growing tobacco suitable for the manufac- ture of cigarettes. This work will be conducted in colla- boration with one of the experts of the company. 9. Programme for 1909-10: — (1) Training. — The teaching work of the section will be continued on the lines laid down in the prospectus of the Institute. (2) Plant-Breeding and Plant Improvement. — The following crops will be studied : — Wheat, tobacco, barley, oil seeds and fibre plants. {a) Wheat. — The botanical and agricultural survey of the wheats of Bengal will be completed on the lines adopted in the investigations on the Punjab wheats. The production of improved varieties by selection and hybridization, will be continued as well as the investigation of the factors influencing the quality of the grain. (b) Tobacco. — The botanical survey of the Indian tobaccos will be completed. . (c) Oil-Seeds. — The study of the oil-seeds of India which has been carried on on a small scale during the past year, will be extended on lines similar to those adopted in the investigations on wheat. (d) Barley. — ^The work on this crop will be con- tinued. (e) Fibres. — The collection and investigation of fibre yielding plants will be continued. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 37 {3) Fruit Experiments. — The permanent experiments on the culture of Indian fruits will be continued on the lines laid down in the first report. (4) Minor Investigations. — The economic importance of the male plant in ganja cultivation and the problem of the inheritance of sex, will be determined. The study of cassava as a famine food will be continued in collabora- tion with Imperial Agricultural Chemist. REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMIST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (J. W. Leather, Ph.D., FJ.C, E.C.S., ard H. E. Annett, B.Sc, M.S.E.A.C.) 1. The Imperial Agricultural Chemist held charge of this section till April 14th, 1909, vvhen he proceeded on leave, and Mr. H. E. Annett, B.Sc, M.S.E.A.C, Supernu- merary Agricultural Chemist, was appointed to officiate for him. Mr. Annett acted as Agricultural Chemist at the Poona Agricultural College from August 13th to November 22nd, 1908. 2. The several subjects which are under investigation may be conveniently referred to as follows : — 3. Meteorology. — The usual meteorological records are kept by this section and forwarded monthly to the Imperial Meteorological Department. 4. Rainfall. — A self-registering rain gauge was fitted up at Pusa and used during the monsoon of 1907 in order to obtain some information regarding the rainfall per unit of time. This is wanted in connection with the esti- mates of the amount of rain water which runs off the land during heavy rains. The instrument was one which was fitted up by the Imperial Agricultural Chemist locally, and yielded only approximate data, and a more exact instru- ment will be necessary; but such data as wxre obtained show the heaviest falls during the monsoon of 1907 to be under 2" per hour. The monsoon was, however, a very weak one and included only one really large fall. 5. Evaporation. — An evaporimeter has been experi- mented with in order to determine the amount of water which evaporates from free surfaces of water. The results so far have not been very satisfactory. 40 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCfi 6. Drainage. — Records from all the four drain gauges were maintained. In the monsoon of 1907, these differed only markedly in the amount of surface drainage which was greater from No. 1 than from the others. Never- theless the No. 1 gauge probably yields the most reliable data. Nos. 2 and 4 had grass on them and were expected on this account to behave differently from Nos. 1 and 3. The rainfall was sufficiently heavy on two occasions to cause an overflow from the pipe fixed at a nominal 2" above the ground level, and the amounts' that ran off were 0-5" during a 4'' rainfall and 3-5" during a 7" rainfall. The amount of water which percolated was 7-5". The rainfall was 40-3" during the j^ear (October 1906 to September 1907), and the amount which evaporated during the twelve months was accordingly 28-8". These are the quantities measured from No. 1 gauge. The data of the drain gauges at the Cawnpore farm and the samples of the drainage water from them, are pro- vided for this section by the courtesy of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, United Provinces. The four years' data obtained from these gauges, show that the evaporation there amounts to between 14" and 20" in extreme cases, and that the average is approximately l7" per annum. Hence the amount lost from the Pusa soil is considerably greater than at Cawnpore. This result is probably fully explained by the fact (referred to below) that the Cawnpore soil contains less maximum water per cubic foot than the Pusa soil. Regarding the constituents which are dissolved in the drainage water, the total amount of nitrogen (as nitrate) in the drainage water was 201b per acre from the bare tallow soil and -04^ from that growing grass. This year maize is being cultivated on gauges Nos. 2 and 4 m place of grass. The Cawnpore gauge soil which is maintained fallow, continues to yield large amounts of nitrate. This varies, however, a good deal with the rain- fall and also with the depth of the gause. Over a series of years these gauges are yielding approximately equal INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 4.]^ amounts of nitrate, but it is not all washed out during the same season; up to the present the deep gauges yield large amounts in a very wet year, whilst the shallower ones, although yielding also more in a year of heavy rain- fall than in one of small precipitation, fall short of the deep gauges in this respect, and then recover their position in a year of short rainfall. The data are, however, meagre, and in any case the subject is closely related to that of the period when nitrates are principally formed and their sub- sequent disposition in the soil, a subject which, though understood fairly well for European conditions, is far from being so for Indian soils. The monsoon of 1908 was such a weak one that practi- cally no drainage was recorded from any of the four gauges. The rainfall this year up to June 30th has been considerably above the average. Up till May 31st, 1909, 5-15" of rain fell. In June 28-96" fell. Percolation began in gauges Nos. 3 and 4 (the 3' gauges) on June 10th, after 12-31" of rain (reckoning only June rainfall) had fallen. In the 6' gauges, Nos. 1 and 2, percolation began on the 11th and 12th June respectively. Much trouble is caused by the burrowings of various insects into the gauges, and probably largely from this cause gauge No. 2 (a 6' gauge) has leaked considerably, and part of the drainage water from this gauge has had to be ignored. 7. Loss of Water from Soil. — The data relating to the first year's records of the amount of water in the soil at Pusa during the dry season 1906-07, and the deductions made therefrom, have been published as a memoir, No. 6, chemical series. The views put forward in that memoir have been supported by further experiments in the field, the results of which are about to be published. In order to gain experience of other soils, similar records have been kept at the Cawnpore Agricultural Station, and through the courtesy of Mr. C. Rudston Brown, at Bhatowlia Indigo Factory in Behar, in addition 42 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH to another series at Pusa, determinations of the amount of water present in the soil having been made monthly throughout the dry season 1907-08. The latter season was unusually dry at Pusa, so that the soil here was desic- cated to a greater extent than generally happens. After reviewing the data of the two seasons, it was found that too much weight had been placed on the effect of atmo- spheric humidity in the first method of calculating the rate of loss, and that the latter can be accounted for by the effect of temperature in addition to the special characteristics of the soil. The calculated values agree very closely with those found. The data for the Cawnpore soil show it to possess a marked difference from the Pusa soil in the amount of water present at the conclusion of the monsoon, for this quantity is only about 161b per cubic foot, where- as the Pusa soil contains about 25tb. Moreover, during the season it lost water only to a depth of three feet as against seven feet at Pusa. The soil at Bhatowlia was selected, because it is a coarse sand for more than 10 feet. This soil only con- tained about 5tb water per cubic foot at the conclusion of the monsoon. 8. Water Required by Plants. — An investigation of the amount of water transpired by plants, was commenced in 1907 by the pot-culture method. In the following cold weather one field experiment was made in conjunction with the latter, and it was found to yield data in close corre- spondence with those obtained from the pot-cultures. Dur- ing the last year the pot-culture investigation was extend- ed so as to include (a) a larger variety of crops and (b) a number of essentially different soils, and in conjunction with this a series of field experiments with various crops was carried out. The data which have been obtained have been put together in a memoir which will shortly be published under the title of " The Water Requirements of Crops in India." 9. Available Plant Food in Soils. — This investigation continues to occupy a part of the time of the section, but INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 43 is much more complicated than some of the other works. The phosphates form the chief objective, because of the importance which the more perfect valuation of this group of constituents in soils would possess. The only area in which field experiments have been made up to the present in conjunction with the laboratory work, is in Behar. The soil of a large part of Behar is, so far as one can tell from laboratory tests, greatly deficient in readily assimilable phosphates, and field trials were made during the monsoon of 1907 and the following cold weather. The former yielded doubtful results, but the latter yielded, with one exception, considerable increases due to superphosphate. 10. Soil Gases. — Closely allied to the study of the assimilable plant food in soils, is probably a more perfect knowledge of the nature of the gases in soils and their quantity. Such information as we possess regarding this subject is but meagre, and since the Indo-Gangetic allu- vium offers an exceptionally suitable material for the work, an investigation in this subject was commenced. The results obtained have been embodied in a memoir entitled " The System Water, Calcium Carbonate, Carbonic Acid." 11. Black Cotton Soil. — An investigation into the nature of constituent or constituents of this soil which occasion its peculiar colour, was undertaken by Mr. Annett, Supernumerary Chemist. The results obtained from this investigation are about to be published. 12. Other Investigations. — Chief among these is a determination of how the composition of the various crops grown on the permanent experiment plots at Pusa, varies with different systems of manuring. In conjunction with the Imperial Entomologist, some work has been done with the object of freeing stored wheat grain from weevil. 13. General Analytical Work.— The number of samples of agricultural materials which are sent by the provin- cial departments for general analysis, is now practically nil. The chief calls on the laboratory for this purpose 44 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH are made by Native States, the Irrigation Department and private persons. The number of such specimens examined is about Jth of what it formerly v^as. This section of the work is now nominal and does not seriously interfere with other work. 14. Students. — Three students, two from the Punjab and one from Eastern Bengal and Assam, attended for a course in general chemistry from October 1908 till March 1909. These were all students taking the general course in agriculture. In June 1909, one student came to be trained as Analytical Assistant to the Agricultural Chemist of Bengal. 15. Establishment. — Mr. J. N. Sen, M.A., senior laboratory assistant, was, on the opening of the College in July 1908, appointed teaching assistant. Mr. D. B. Darab Sett, B.Sc, resigned his appointment to take up the post of Senior Assistant to the Agricultural Chemist, Burma. Mr. S. C. Kar took his M.A. degree at Calcutta University. Mr. D. N. Chatterjee, B.A., B.Sc, and Mr. C. S. Rama Aiyer, B.A., were appointed Junior Assistants. All the establishment have worked well and given great satisfaction. 16. Programme for 1909-10. — The programme of work for the coming year is chiefly a continuation of that de- scribed in the foregoing report which may be briefly sum- marised as follows : — (1) Maintenance of drainage records. {2) Determination of the rate at which water is lost by soils. (3) Ascertainment of the water requirements of plants. (4) Investigation of the work on the availability of plant food in soils. (5) Investigation of the nature of the dark colour of black cotton soil. The investigation of nitrification in Indian soils will be taken up if possible. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 45 The effect of soil or manure on the composition of certain seeds is an investigation which has been in pro- gress tentatively and will be extended if considered de- sirable. The prevention of weevil attacks on wheat is an in- vestigation which is being conducted in collaboration with the Imperial Entomologist. Instruction will be given to students on the lines indicated in the Pusa syllabus. REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL ENTOMOLOGIST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (H. Maxwell-Lefroy, M.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S.) Training. — Students from the agricultural depart- ments of the Punjab, Baroda, Bombay and Eastern Bengal and Assam were fully trained during 1907-09. As this is the first year, the full course of training was given under proper conditions. A considerable proportion of time was given to it, and the lecturing from October 1908 to April 1909 done by the Imperial Entomologist. The organi- sation and carrying out of this course has been the most important work of the last two years, and it is to be regret- ted that so few students took advantage of it. A short training, as part of the course in general agriculture, was given to two students from the Punjab and to a fieldman of the Fibre Expert, Eastern Bengal and Assam. Students from the United Provinces, Madras and Bengal arrived in June 1909. 2. Establishment. — The assistant for sericulture, Mr. L. M. Dass, was recently appointed; there have been no important changes. The First Assistant, Mr. C. S. Misra, has had direct charge of students, of the field w^^rk on the Pusa farm and the work with lac. Apart from the courses of lecturing given personally by the Imperial Entomologist, Mr. Misra has had charge of the practical and field work of students, which he has done in an admirable manner. He also visited Sind in reference to the boll-worm on cotton. The Second Assistant, Mr. C. C. Ghosh, has had charge of the insectary and has had very heavy additional work in connection with ^n-silk, of which he will now be relieved. His work has been of great value. The Third Assistant, Mr. G. R. Dutt, has been in charge of economic records and collections, and has done 48 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH original work on aculeate hymenoptera. The assistant in charge of the collections, Mr. D. Nowrojee, has done excellent work with the arrangement and upkeep of the general insect collections which are now permanently stored in a proper manner. The Bengal assistant worked in the laboratory, as there is no proper accommodation for him as yet at Sabour, and with the Second Assistant, Mr. C. C. Ghosh, prepared the revision in Bengali of Indian Insect Pests, in addition to his ordinary work. The staff of the Second Imperial Entomologist worked under the guidance of the Imperial Entomologist until the arrival of. this officer, and the artist's staff of the Institute also worked under him till March 1908. 3. Buildings: — The section moved into the permanent laboratory during May 1908. The section is now estab- lished in permanent quarters in the laboratory; the insectary, silkworm house and a godown are also being occupied. 4. Provincial Work. — The number of assistants em- ployed in entomological work in the provincial agricul- tural departments is now 13, for teaching, demonstrating and field work. This number is inadequate to bring the practical work of entomology effectively before the agri- cultural classes, but a beginning is being made with prac- tical teaching of entomology at the provincial agricul- tural colleges and also with demonstrations at shows. In March last, a meeting of the assistants was held at Pusa to discuss progress, to demonstrate improvements, to show the work in silk and lac, to teach how to put up show-cases for exhibitions and to arrange how best effective assistance could be given from Pusa, especially with regard to shows and demonstrations. The work of provincial assistants is under general direction from Pusa, in the sense that their monthly reports and programmes are sent here for criticism; assistance is given in preparing their pro- grammes in all technical matters such as identifications, supply of apparatus, books, etc., and in the teaching given INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 49 at the college. There is no uniform system for all pro- vinces, and the relations are closer in some cases than others, but all assistants can obtain the effective assistance of this section, where it can be given. Progress has been made in the general study of injurious insects in the provinces, notably in Madras, where a careful study has been made of the surul pest of groundnut, of paddy stem- borers and of the general pests of the province. In Bom- bay, an enquiry was made into the occurrence of the potato moth. In the Central Provinces, Bengal, Eastern Bengal and Assam and the Punjab, the general investigation of injurious insects has been continued, and in the last named province the progress of cotton boll-worm and its parasites has been closely watched. A general strengthening of the staff is required in most provinces. 5. Correspondence. — As in previous years, there has been a large volume of enquiries on all matters connected with insects; the enquiries directly connected with insects injurious to crops, have been in part diverted to provincial departments, but a large mass of miscellaneous enquiries has been received and dealt with. Excluding correspond- ence with provincial agricultural departments, these are received from commercial firms, planters and planters' associations, zemindars, fruit-growers, superintendents of experimental farms and botanical gardens; specimens sent for report by the members of the Bombay Natural History Society, are, in some cases, forwarded and dealt with here, and there is a certain number of enquiries from persons interested in entomology for the identification of specimens. The increasing interest in silk, lac and bee- keeping also produced a large number of enquiries. Over one thousand of such enquiries were dealt with by the Imperial Entomologist personally during the last two years, and this work is, by no means, the least useful part of this section's activities. 6. Research. — Progress is steadily made with enquiry into the life-histories and habits of injurious insects. The 50 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH more important have been the cotton boll-worm, the potato moth, two cockchafer beetles, the mango leaf hopper, the mohwa beetle, the singhara beetle, the bristle beetle, the surface grass-hoppers, the big cricket, the rice and cane hispas, the sweet potato weevil, the til hawk moth, the Behar hairy caterpillar, the tur pod bug, the cane leaf hopper, the armyworm of rice, the rice stem-borer, the melon weevil, the rice and cane mealy bugs, the rice leaf hopper and the pests of castor, rice and indigo. The in- fluence of climatic changes upon insect life and the problem of utilizing beneficial insects, have also been investigated. The search for an insecticide less poisonous than arsenic was continued and brought to a conclusion, the field trials showing that the new insecticide is extremely effective. An enquiry into the best method of checking thrips on tea in Darjeeling was taken up by arrangement with the Scientific Officer of the Indian Tea Association and spray- ing trials made; the method tried was found satisfactory and is in use at present. In connection with potato moth, the trial of methods of seed potato storage was made, and this work is being carried on in collaboration with the Central Provinces Agricultural Department. Trials are being made in the Central Provinces and also m Bengal. The relation of the wheat weevil to the percentage humidity of wheat is being investigated in collaboration with the Imperial Agricultural Chemist, for the Department of Commerce and Industry. Cantharides or blister beetles are a pest in India, and an endeavour is being made to ascertain if they are of commercial value, so that those who suffer from them, mav derive profit from collecting them. The enquiry into the food of birds was continued by Mr. Mason, as also investigation of methods of fumigating plants, grain, etc. The question of taking steps to check the promiscuous introduction of noxious insects from other countries, was under consideration, and recommendations were made for dealing with plant imports. Mr. Mason visited the centres at which the army stores are baled and stored to investigate the occurrence in clothing, etc., of the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 5]^ destructive insect Anthrenus vorax; this enquiry was completed and recommendations made for better baling. The question of apiculture was taken up to determine how far bees will thrive in the plains, and whether apiculture can be carried on sufficiently well here to enable it to be a subject for demonstration and teaching; this work is in progress. 7. Sericulture. — The cultivation of eri-silk was con- tinued, and the process of spinning, dyeing and weaving taken up. This is carried on as a demonstration to students of the value of this silk as a home industry in India, and to enable any one who wishes to start it, to be taught the work practically. A practical spinning machine of a simple kind was devised by Mr. Ghosh which is now in use; it is being improved, and its value is being thoroughly tested. During the meeting of the assistants in March last, the work was taught to them, so that they could, if opportunity arose, give advice. The Superin- tendent of Sericulture of the Baroda Government also came, as this silk has been introduced in Gujarat. The publica- tion of an article in the A gricultural Journal of India, the exhibition at the Muzafferpur show and the work of the Baroda Agricultural Department, have drawn attention to the possibilities of this silk ; it is being taken up in Tirhoot, Gujarat and elsewhere, and enc|uiries about it have been received from every province; eggs have been supplied free, or at a small price, to all who have asked for them, and the work has been shown to many enquirers. It is prob- able that this silk will be taken up in many parts of India, and that an industry will spring up, similar to that exist- ing in Assam, which will give light remunerative work to women and children. Arrangements were made to supply cocoons for spinning as a famine relief work for furdah women in one district, and the work is being organised in some Tirhoot indigo concerns. It may be noted that the staff for this work consists of one assistant newly appoint- ed, a fieldman and the coolies actually doing the work in E 2 52 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the silkworm house; to properly develop this industry would require a staff available for temporary service in tracts where conditions are favourable; the only men available for demonstrating in outside places are trained coolies, and there is room here for an increase of staff; so far as possible, requests for assistance are met from the available staff. As the purely experimental work on eri- silk is almost completed, the cultivation of mulberry silk has been taken up; the main object is to determine how far it is possible to grow mulberry silk profitably, to supply the raw material which is imported at present and to supplement the supply of raw silk produced at present in Lower Bengal, to see whether improvements can be effected and to provide instruction in rearing and reeling if the prospects are favourable. The question of tussar silk is also being investigated, besause in this, as in other silks, advice is asked on points which can be determined only by entomological, as apart from purely sericultural, enquiry. 8. Lac. — The cultivation of lac insect on her [Zizy- fJius jujuha) has been continued, and progress made in ex- tending the cultivation in Tirhoot. Seed has been supplied, and men trained for twelve indigo concerns in Tirhoot, and advice given about the cultivation of lac to many enquirer. Lac inoculation was done for the Public Works Department of Bengal in connection with canals, and assistance given to the Bikanir State in regard to the possibilities of lac culture there. The cultivation of lac as an adjunct to ordinary cultivation has been explained in an article for the Agricultural Journal of India, volume IV, part 3, and it is solely from that aspect that it is being done. The work of assisting the cultivation of lac will probably expand. Training in lac cultivation is given at Pusa at the present time, and advice given to enquirers. 9. Insect Survey. — The general collection of insects of India, apart from the purely economic one, has been transferred to its permanent quarters and is completely INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 3 arranged and catalogued. Mr. C. W. Mason has arranged the Lepidoptera, the Assistant to the Second Imperial Entomologist the Coleoptera. A large part has been sent to England for the use of authors of prospective volumes of the fauna of India; the Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Braconi- dae and Ichneumonidas, Cetoniidse Chrysomelidse, Curculi- onidse, Microlepidoptera and Rhynchota Homoptera are the larger collections being worked at in this way. A large part has been returned, and the whole collection is yearly becoming more complete and useful. The greatest help was given by the late Colonel Bingham, and by his death we have lost an able collaborator who gave invaluable assistance to all who are interested in Indian entomology. We have now a good reference collection as well as a separate collection for students, of the insects of Pusa, both of which are necessities in daily work. In conjunction with the Indian Museum, the results of the past work are being worked up and utilised in determining the zones of insect life in India. Specimens were exchanged with the Indian Museum; a collection of Coleoptera was identified for the Bombay Natural History Society and completed from our duplicates. Similar collections were identified and made up for provincial agricultural colleges, and their collections are sent here for identification and arrangement. A good collection is the basis of accurate work and teaching, so that this work is of importance and can be done from Pusa only. The formation of the collection will be continued, but less time will be devoted to it. 10. Demonstration. — A series of excellent coloured plates with short printed explanations, has been issued, which are used for teaching in colleges, are exhibited at demonstration farms and are made up into show-cases for exhibitions and shows. This series will be continued and is being expanded also to cover silk, lac, bees and beneficial insects. As the work of the provincial departments expands, this work will also expand; and, since only simple methods of checking pests can be used, the teaching of the people and the demonstration of simple facts and remedies 54 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH will become an important part of the work. In all prov- inces, teaching at colleges, enquiry into local pests and demonstrations both of facts about insect life and remedies for pests, are now going on. In February last an exhibit of injurious insects, lac and eri-silk was sent to the Muzafferpur agri-horticultural show. Increasing attention is being paid to this in provin- cial departments and the best methods of preparing such exhibits are being tested here; a complete exhibit in show- cases has been prepared as a model, and it is proposed to send exhibits to shows or to assist in this work to gain experience as to the class of exhibits that most appeal to the public. Show-cases of injurious insects, silk, lac, etc., with specimens, plates and explanations in the necessary languages, have been prepared for some provinces and will be prepared by the entomological assistants in others; and, as an aid to these, series of lantern slides in colour are being prepared in order that lantern lectures may be given at such shows. This work will be an additional tax on the time both of this section and of the provincial assistants, but it falls chiefly at one season and is an extremely important work. 11. Publications. — The marked influence of Indian Insect Pests is noticeable, and its publication in 1906 has been abundantly justified. A simplified revision in Bengali has been prepared and proposals submitted for its publica- tion. Other vernacular revisions will follow as provin- cial work expands sufficiently to make them possible. A text book on " Indian Insect Life " has been issued in July last. The issue of this volume of over 800 pages with over 500 half-tone illustrations and 85 coloured plates has entailed very heavy work which has fallen entirely upon the Imperial Entomologist. The publication of the volume completes the preparations for proper teaching and marks the close of the period of preparation of the past six years. The series of memoirs on injurious insects were continued, and popular articles on those of great importance INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 55 written for the Agricultural Journal of India. The influ- ence of the latter is shown by the immediate increase in correspondence from the public in India after the publica- tion of an article on a particular subject. 12. Conclusion. — As this is the only entomological centre in India, the section is so fully occupied in the imme- diately practical work of answering enquiries, assisting provincial departments, facilitating the teaching of agricultural entomology and assisting in the establishment of insect industries, that there is no time to apply research to subjects not of immediate necessity and this must be so until the staffs of the provincial departments expand. Research, as ordinarily understood, is done here only so far as will enable a practical answer to be given in each definite practical case. The progress that has been made in all branches of the subject and its great practical impor- tance justify an expansion of the staff both at Pusa and in the provinces. To practically apply the results gained and to continue the progress which has been made possible from the research and enquiry of the past, require a constant expansion especially in provincial departments setting Pusa free to continue the work of enquiry. 13. Programme for 19G9-10. — The work of the past in studying and advising on crop pests will be continued. Assistance will be given, when desired, in directing the work of provincial assistants, in coping v^ith outbreaks of crop pests and in organising exhibitions for agricultural and other shows. The issue of coloured plates will be continued. Enquiries in progress on potato moth, fumi- gation of plant imports and grain and on wheat weevil will be continued. Advanced teaching in entomology will be continued. The question of publishing vernacular transla- tions of the revised text of Indian Insect Pests will be considered. The possibilities of apiculture in the plains will be tested at Pusa. A short practical course of instruc- tion in ^n-silk and in lac culture will be given if required. Mulberry silk culture will be continued with a view to 56 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE. offering instruction in rearing and simple methods of reeling. If possible, the question of producing better races will be taken up experimentally, but this may not be possible if the practical courses of teaching occupy much time. REPORT OF THE SECOND IMPERIAL ENTO- MOLOGIST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (F. M. HowLETT, B.A., F.E.S.) 1. Chm'ge and Establishment. — Mr. Hewlett arrived at Pusa in December 1907 and has been in charge of the section since. The staff consists of Mr. D. Nowrojee, First Assistant, with Messrs. P. G. Patel and H. N. Sharma, special Fly Assistants. Of these, Mr. Nowrojee carries on his previous work on Coleoptera, and Mr. Muhabat Singh has been detailed in his stead for work on the flies affecting crops and fruit. Mr. P. G. Patel has made a number of original observations on ticks, sand flies and muscidse, and has had charge of the general collection ; Mr. H. N. Sharma has been occupied with the life-histories of mosquitos and investigation of their natural enemies. All have done good work in their particular branches. 2. Training. — Since diptera constitute a special group of insects requiring special methods and careful mani- pulation, a considerable amount of attention has been given to the instruction of the staff in these methods. Mr. P. G. Patel was sent to Beigachia, at the request of the Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, to give a course of instruction relating to biting flies injurious to cattle. Messrs. P. N. Das and Syed Mohomed Raza Husain, of the civil veterinary departments of Bengal and the United Provinces, respectively, came to Pusa for a course of train- ing in methods of observing and collecting pests and para- sites of cattle and other stock. As a part of the course given to agricultural students in entomology, lectures were given on diptera and on blood-sucking insects, special attention being paid to fruit flies and cattle parasites. A short series of lectures on more purely economic lines was given to the provincial entomological assistants 58 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH on the occasion of their last visit to Pusa. Mr. Chima- swami Pillai, sent by the Madras Government for instruc- tion in methods of illustrating, finished his course and returned to Madras. 3. Work on Publications. — That portion of the book, " Indian Insect Life," which relates to diptera and the sections on mallophaga, anoplura and cimicidse, was completed, and the necessary illustrations prepared by the Second Imperial Entomologist or under his supervision, as were also a large number of the illustrations for the body of the work and other illustrations and maps required for memoirs and for the A qricultural Journal of India. The business of seeing the A gricultural Journal of India through the press, and all work connected with the repro- duction, etc., of the illustrations in zinco, half-tone, lithography and the three colour process, was also under- taken. In February last the Second Imperial Entomologist acted as Secretary to the Board of Agriculture at the I*^agpur meeting and prepared for publication the pro- ceedings of the meeting. The supervision and direction of the artists' staff of the Institute have been undertaken, and besides the work done for the various sections at Pusa, assistance has been given to the civil veterinary departments and to the Bombay Natural History Society in preparation of special illustrations of blood-sucking flies and of living snakes. 4. Entomological Work. — Work was done on the rice, tur pod and pea-stem flies. The first named was found to be doing serious damage to wheat (planted after rice) in Sibi, Baluchistan, and Mr. Muhabat Singh was sent to investigate and report on the outbreak. Work was done in fruit flies, and an attempt to check the annual attack of these pests on the peaches grown at Pusa, was this year so far successful that the period of severity was postponed until the Imperial Economic Botanist was enabled to complete the experiments in progress. It is unlikely that INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 5^ any method short of netting, will have any radical effect on the flies under the conditions at Pusa. Methods for destroying the mango fly (the most destructive species in Behar) have been tested with success. Mr. Froggatt, Entomologist to the Government of New South Wales, visited Pusa in June 1908 for the purpose of obtaining information on the subject of fruit flies, as the Australian fruit flies are related to those found in India and consti- tute a very serious obstacle to the successful cultivation of fruit there. Since his return he has been supplied with fruit flies specimens for the purpose of assisting his in- vestigation on the Australian species. Arrangements have been made with Professor Silvestri to supply para- sites of some of the south Indian species in the hope that they may be utilised against the olive fruit fly, a species which inflicts great damage in Italy. Among blood-sucking flies attention has been directed chiefly to the life-histories of sand flies, tabanid^ and muscidse, and the Pusa species are now fairly well-known. A number of specimens have been received from various parts of India, from the officers of the civil veterinary departments and from medical men. A report on 800 specimens received from Bengal was communicated to Mr. D. Quinlan, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart- ment, Bengal, and data as to the distribution of the various species are thus being obtained. A number of specimens have been identified for medi- cal men and for private individuals, and various enquiries regarding blood-suckers, parasites, infective and predace- ous insects, have been received and answered. A report on the value of certain insecticides advertised as being efficacious against various parasites, has been supplied to the Inspector- General of Agriculture in India. Arrange- ments are in progress for supplying Indian blood-suckers to the Sleeping Sickness Commission in Uganda for the purpose of testing the possibility of sleeping sickness being transmitted by any Indian species as well as by the tsetse fly- gQ REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH The life-histories of nearly all the mosquitos which occur in Piisa have now been ascertained, and a special study has been made to discover any efficient natural checks on their increase. Two species of fish have been found to be capable of destroying large numbers of anopheles larvae, while a small water insect seems not unlikely to prove a useful check on culex; experiments on a large scale have not yet been tried. Observations on the life-history and habits of ticks have been made, and experiments on the best means of destroying them. Some attempts have been made to discover the effect of various physical conditions on mosquitos and other blood-sucking insects, but, though some minor results of interest have been obtained, this very important line of research demands more time than the Second Imperial Entomologist has been able to give. A considerable number of specimens have been lent to the Indian Museum in order to assist in the revision of the nomenclature of various groups of Indian diptera, and a large representative collection of tabanidse has been lent to the British Museum to assist in like manner the revision of the family now in progress. In January last a number of specimens, drawings and photographs of various blood-sucking species, were con- tributed to an exhibition of disease-carrying insects organised by Dr. Annandale at the Indian Museum. In February last an exhibition of all kinds of blood-suck- ing and parasitic insects was arranged for the pathologi- cal section of the Bombay Medical Congress; a few slides and specimens were lent for incorporation with other exhibits; a simplified key to the different kinds of blood- sucking insects, was written for the use of visitors to the exhibition; a paper on the habit of sand flies was read before the pathological section; and a public lecture on blood-sucking insects delivered. The Second Imperial Entomologist derived much pleasure and benefit from the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. Ql opportunity of meeting and conversing with medical men from all parts of India. 5. Correspondence. — A considerable amount of corre- spondence has been involved in the investigation on biting flies. Sets of apparatus and copies of the bulletin on biting flies have been issued to the Directors of Agricul- ture, Punjab and Bengal, the Assistant to the Chief Commissioner, Baluchistan, the Assistant Political Agent, Khelat, the Honourable the Agent to the Governor- General, Quetta, His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Seistan, the Honorary Secretary, Baluchistan Natural History Society, the superintendents, civil veterinary departments, Ben- gal and Eastern Bengal and Assam, the officer investi- gating camel diseases, the officers of the Indian Medical Service and Royal Army Medical Corps, and private in- dividuals in all parts of India, and it is anticipated that the material thus obtained will greatly assist the enquiry. Correspondence on matters connected with the working out and identification of the collections, has been carried on with experts in Europe and America and on various scientific subjects with the bacteriological laboratory at Parel, the Indian Museum, the Bombay Natural History Society, etc., and with various private individuals. 6. Conclusion. — The necessity of devoting a consider- able amount of time to the illustrating and publication work of the Institute naturally restricts, to some degree, the work connected with pure entomology. During the past year the illustrating w^ork had at times been parti- cularly heavy. A further restriction is due to the fact that no laboratory accommodation was originally provided for this section, with the result that all work has to be carried on in a single room which perforce serves the pur- poses of office, laboratory, store-room, collecting room and insectary. The very important work on life-histories of insects in particular has suffered for lack of a suitable place for carrying on breeding operations, and there is no accommodation whatever for students. 62 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE. The number of enquiries received is considerable and is expanding, but without further accommodation it will be impossible to cope with the expansion. 7. Prograjnme for 1909-10. — Work on blood-sucking insects and parasites injurious to cattle and poultry will continue, and arrangements have been made for an investi- gation, in collaboration with Mr. Leese, Veterinary Officer investigating camel diseases, Lahore, on insects capable of transmitting surra. Trials will be made of the relative value as checks of the various natural enemies of mosquitos discovered at Pusa, and to ascertain whether the introduction of Indian fish is likely lo prove of practical value in eradi- cating anopheles in places where other measures are impracticable or difficult. A short course of lectures on pests of live-stock and poultry for agricultural students, is being drawn up in collaboration with the Imperial Agriculturist, and all necessary assistance will be given in carrying out the ordinary course for students at Pusa. Attention will chiefly be directed to the dipterous pests of crops and fruit and to the study of the tachinid parasites of insects found at Pusa. The collection of dip- tera will be as far as possible worked out from the system- atic point of view. The publication work and the control and supervision of the artist's staff will continue as hitherto, unless other arrangements are made for the allotment of the duties in connection with this branch. REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL MYCOLOGIST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (E. J. Butler, M.B., F.L.S., and W. McRae,, M.A, B.Sc.) 1. Charge and Establishment. — The Imperial Mycolo- gist held charge of his section till the 31st March 1909, when he proceeded on combined leave, and Mr. W. McRae, who had joined his appointment as Supernumerary Mycolo- gist in March 1908, after a period of six months on deputation in the laboratory of Professor von Tubeuf at Munich, was appointed to officiate in his absence. The first assistant, Mr. S. K. Basu, resigned his appointment with effect from 16th December 1908. The post is not yet filled up. The appointment on probation of Mr. T. S. Lakshman Rao as assistant to the Supernumerary Mycolo- gist, terminated on 31st March 1909, when Mr. A. Hafiz Khan, second fieldman, was promoted to the post. L. S. Subramanium, clerk 'on probation, was appointed third fieldman. 2. Laboratory. — The section moved into the new laboratories of the Phipps' Institute in June 1908. In the temporary quarters previously occupied, the work was much interfered with by dirt and insects, and the move has given much needed relief from these. When some minor improvements are carried out; the section will be Vv^ell-housed in its new quarters. 3. Training. — A mycological assistant for the United Provinces was under training until September 1907. Another for Bombay joined in June 1908, and the Assist- ant Professor of Botany, Poona Agricultural College, received a short course in April and May 1908. A myco- logical assistant for Madras joined in November 1908, and the Mycological Collector for Eastern Bengal and Assam joined in September 1908. A student from the Central Provinces received a course in cryptogamic 64 EEPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH botany from July to September of last year, and again in plant anatomy from November to February. Two stu- dents from the Punjab undergoing a general course in agriculture, joined on the 1st June, 1909. The Assistant Mycologist, Bengal, who returned to Pusa in March, 1908, has remained in this laboratory pending the provision of accommodation for him at Bhagalpore. The prospects of assistants in the agricultural departments appear to have been hitherto insufficient to attract good men. 4. Organisation. — Much time has still to be given to organising the work particularly to meet the require- ments of provincial departments. Collections have to be accumulated and worked out vfith what voluntary assist- ance can be got outside India. Duplicate collections will be, as far as possible, supplied to provincial departments which already have mycological assistants. Annotated specimens of Mildews and of Ascomycetes have been sent to Mr. Salmon of Wye College and to Messrs. H. and P. Sydow of Berlin, respectively, to be worked out for exten- sion of the general survey of Indian parasitic fungi. Collections of diseased plants received from the Central Provinces, Bengal, Bombay, Burma and Madras, have been worked out and returned, and these will be gradually extended, as further material becomes available. In the provinces, the question of the best means of expanding mycological work was considered by the Board of Agriculture which sat at Pusa in February, 1908. A small special staff of Indian assistants to be formed in each provincial department was recommended, their duties being defined as assisting the research work of tH<^ Pusa staff and conducting the training at the colleges. The ordinary staff of agricultural assistants should under- take such practical field work in preventing diseases as is necessary. In each province there will probably be appointed one assistant professor of mycology at the college and one assistant for work outside the central station. This will form a beginning which can be extend- ed ultimately. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOB 1907-09. ^5 Arrangements have been made for unifying the pro- posed mycological course in the provincial colleges, and a memorandum on a course of lectures and practical work together with the most important diseases, has been com- piled as a basis for this unification of mycological teach- ing. 5. Research Work. — A small number of diseases have been selected for detailed study which, in some cases, has continued over several years. The life-history and general biology of the parasites have been studied, and informa- tion obtained of their effects on the attacked plants. The following are the chief diseases specially investi- gated : — 6. Sugarcane Diseases. — Red rot is the chief of these. The work of the period under report has been directed to elucidating the methods of infection. It has given some new results, and it is hoped to publish a further contribu- tion to the study of this disease during the year. In the Samalkota farm red rot is now quite rare in the crop, and this may be considered due to the methods of set selection advocated by this section. Work is in progress on the life- history of two other sugarcane parasites, but so far has not reached the publication stage. A few inoculations to as- certain the mode of infection of smut proved successful and these experiments are being continued this season. 7. Palm Diseases.— The campaign against the palm disease of the G'odaveri delta is still being prosecuted, and the entertainment of the special staff employed has been recom.mended for a third year. The Imperial Mycologist inspected the work in September and December 1907 and in January 1909. There has been no general recrudescence of the disease in the early months of this year, such as occurred last year, and the Imperial Mycologist was struck by the very small number of newly diseased trees seen in his tour in January last. Under the new system Inaugu- rated in October 1908, it is hoped that cutting work will go on continuously and simultaneously over the whole of QQ REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the affected area. Successful inoculations with the para- site have been secured, and a further study of its life-his- tory made. A serious disease of cocoanut palms was reported from Travancore early in 1907, and the Imperial Mycologist visited the State in September and October of that year to investigate its cause. A report on the disease has since been published. 8. Diseases of Citrus Fruits. — The chief of these in- vestigated were " white rust " which has appeared at Poona, and a disease which is ravaging the valuable orange orchards of Sylhet and Lower Burma. The former is identical with a disease which has recently appeared in Southern Europe. Suggestions for experimental treat- ment have been made. The other disease does not appear to have been previously recorded. The Imperial Mycolo- gist visited Burma in January 1908 to investigate it, and experiments are in progress to ascertain its cause. Tt appears certain that it can be avoided by grafting on stalks of other citrus plants. 9. Wilt Diseases. — These diseases have engaged more attention during the period under report than any others. Out of the considerable number, all similar in their course, which affect economic plants in India, those of cotton, indigo, pigeon-pea and gram were selected for study. In all, the fungus to which the cotton wilt of the United States is attributed was present, and the assumption was that this fungus which is said to be a virulent para- site in America, was the responsible agent in each case. Detailed experimental work has, however, thrown the gravest doubt on the parasitism of this species, and an- other organism was isolated fiom pigeon-pea which has been shown to be the cause of the disease in this crop. This organism has been called Fusarium udum, Butler. A memoir on the work is now in the press. The cause of the gram wilt disease has also been definitely deter- mined, and successful infections obtained. The investi- gation has been lengthy and troublesome, but the diseases INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 57 referred to are amongst the most destructive in Indi? and will well repay study. The experiments at Poona farm to raise a resistant strain of pigeon-pea, have been in progress four years and are promising well. 10. jhdherry Disease of Kashmir. — In a visit to Kashmir during the months of July, August and Septem- ber, 1908, the Imperial Mycologist enquired into the diseases of mulberry and also those of apple, pear, peach, quince, cherry, apricot and grapevine. The results of part of this work have been published, and recommenda- tions made for dealing with mulberry diseases. The study of the other diseases is in progress. A large col- lection of fungi was also made for the herbarium and these are being gradually worked out in the laboratory. 11. Ginger Disease. — This disease causing consider- able damage in Eastern Bengal was investigated, and the probable cause of the disease determined. Experiments are still being carried out with the disease. 12. Other Diseases of Plants. — A new anthracnose of val (Dolichos lablab), some species of the rare genus, Choanephora, and the two maize smuts of India, have been studied, and a successful attempt has been made, to work out the life-history of the very obscure paddy smut. As usual a large number of other diseases of crops were examined, and this work has formed a large portion of the routine work of the staff. 13. Silkworm Disease. — At the instance of the Imperial Entomologist an attempt was made to ascertain the cause of the heavy mortality amongst eri-silkwovms during the hot weather of 1908 at Pusa. The mortality appears to be due to a specific disease allied to, but not identical with, that known as " flacherie " in ordinary silkworm, 14. Programme for 1909-10. — It is proposed to continue the work with sugarcane diseases and to publish a further contribution to our knowledge of red rot. If sanctioned by the Government of Madras, the palm disease campaign in the Godaveri delta will be continued. An account of F 2 Q^ REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE. the parasite and a review of the work undertaken to pre- vent its spread will be published shortly. It is hoped to complete during the year an illustrated account of the chief diseases of citrus fruit trees in India with suggestions for treatment. It is proposed to continue the work on the wilt disease of leguminous crops, specially cow-pea, to determine the exact cause of the disease in each case. The collection and identification of parasitic fungi will be continued. It is hoped to secure the publication of a complete list of the species of Ascomycetes in the Pusa herbarium. It is hoped to complete the text of the book on Indian plant diseases during the year. Students will be received for training, the regular course of instruction commencing on June 1st. REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL COTTON SPECIAL- IST FOR THE YEARS 1907-09. (G. A. Gammie, F.L.S.) 1. Charge. — Mr. Gammie joined the Imperial Depart- ment of Agriculture as Imperial Cotton Specialist on the 14th December, 1907, and has continued in charge of his office since. Until 10th October, 1908, when he was relieved by Mr. W. Burns, he held charge of the office of Economic Botanist, Bombay, in addition to his own duties, and from 6th August to 30th September, 1908, he held charge of the office of the Principal, College of Agricul- ture, Poona, owing to the illness of the Principal and the Professor of Agriculture. 2. Tours. — During the cold weather of 1907-08, the Imperial Cotton Specialist examined the cottons on all the farms of the Bombay Presidency and gave advice. In March 1908, he visited some farms in the Madras Presi- dency and discussed the experiments in progress with the Deputy Director of the northern division. During April and May an extensive enquiry was made regarding the varieties of cotton and the conditions under which the cotton crop is grown in Gujarat and Kathiawar. In Surat and Broach districts the quality of the cotton is best in the south and gradually gets worse as one pro- ceeds northwards. Navasari has the finest and longest staple, then comes Surat and then Broach. This may be due to the heavier rainfall and greater atmospheric humidity at Navasari (owing to its proximity to the sea), for there is little apparent difference in the soil. Culti- vators of the neighbouring districts have used Navasari seed, but, although the produce was ginned and despatched to Bombay separately, it failed to realise the same price as that obtained for cotton grown at Navasari. This may, however, have been due in part to the marks on the bales 70 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH showing that the cotton came from Broach and Surat. The two cotton varieties Broach deshi and ghoghari grown in the latter two districts are quite suitable to the tract, but it is absolutely necessary for the cultivators to main- tain the purity of the seed. The growing practice of separating seed from the fibre in ginning factories, instead of as formerly by hand gins, has tended to injure the quality by mixing the seed. The average farmer gets his seed haphazard from the general supply at the ginning factory, good, bad, early, late, medium, tall, bushy and ordinary varieties all mixed. There can be no improve- ment, unless the seed is at least equal to the average of the previous crop. The improvement by selection of seed continued from year to year, is most important. If care- ful selection of seed is practised, and if the cultivator takes the trouble to handgin his seed at home, there is hope that the lint will be improved in quality and that the outturn per acre will also increase. In selecting the seed, cotton should be picked from the best sound bolls of large, healthy plants of branching habit of growth, each plant having a large number of bolls. Of the two varieties now growing in these districts the Broach deshi variety is the standard, and at present its price in the Bombay market rules that of all other cottons of India. Kathiawar accounts for more than one-third of the total area under cotton in the Bombay Presidency (exclud- ing Sind). Formerly wagad and lalio, two varieties of nearly the same quality as Broach (though picked less carefully, and, on that account, fetching a lower price), were the only ones found in Kathiawar, but on account of the succession of years of irregular rainfall, beginning with the famine year of 1900, they have been largely replaced by two inferior coarse varieties mathio and navesari (not Navasari) from Central India which give good yields, mature early and can be grown without much risk in years of scanty rainfall. Durimi the month of October, 1908, the Cotton Specialist visited the Punjab, Sind, Rajputana, Centrai INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. -jfX India and Gujarat. Throughout the four first named, the prevailing cottons are of neglectum type mixed with a plant resembling hani. If these two cross freely very close observation would be needed to establish the fact; that they remain, on the whole, true to type is easily demon- strated. The produce of these plants is probably the most inferior cotton in India which, however, fetches a price in advance of its intrinsic merits on account of its white colour and suitability for adulteration with wool. Throughout the area is found intermixed a superior style of cotton which has been already distinguished by the Cotton Specialist as malvensis. Officers of the provincial departments who are serving in coarse cotton tracts are already testing the feasibility of establishing this as a pure race, and Mr. Clouston of the Central Provinces is sanguine of ultimate success. In the Punjab alone there is an annual variety of arboreum which the Cotton Specialist has already named sanguineum. It occurs chiefly as a mixture in the fields, and from a trade point of view there is no particular reason why it should be isolated, as its cotton is in no way different from that of the more common varieties. At the Lyallpur farm the Economic Botanist was engaged in studying a set of Punjab cottons, so that he could draw out a scheme for future work in selection. The experiments with upland Georgian and Egyptian cottons were of prime importance. The former is not of the New Orleans type, naturalised in the southern parts of Bombay and Madras, and which is intolerant of cold, but the true Up- land which requires a distinct autumn for its develop- ment. Sales of this cotton have proved that a good price can be readily obtained for it, and since the officers of the Punjab Department have found in this a product far in advance of anything they can hope to attain from the selection of their indigenous varieties, it was gratifying to see that they were attending specially to the establish ment of first class varieties of upland Georgian. They ought in this connection to carefully study the methods 72 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH employed in the United States. Of the chance of success for Egyptian cotton in the Punjab there Is more doubt. The ]3ombay merchants consider that the Egyptian cotton grown in Sind is distinctly inferior to that directly im- ported from Egypt, and that from the Punjab would prob- ably be no better. In Sind the Cotton Specialist discussed the subject of cotton cultivation with Mr. Henderson, Deputy Director of Agriculture. The latter is of opinion that the very sanguine estimates formed on the results of trial sowings of Egyptian cotton, must be considerably modified in the light of recent results. He states that no further exten- sion of the area suitable for growing Egyptian cotton can be counted on outside the Jamrao canal district until a further system of perennial canals is constructed, and that on the Jamrao canal a maximum of not more than 10,000 — 20,000 acres could be sown under favourable cir- cumstances. Further, owing to scarcity of labour, occasional scarcity of water and the often alkali condition of the soil, the Jamrao cultivators prefer a surer, if less profitable, return in the cultivation of millets and short stapled indigenous cotton to giving the requisite care to the cultivation of Egyptian cotton. Despite the unsatisfac- tory results hitherto obtained, Mr. Henderson believes that good results can be got with Egyptian cotton when Egyptian methods of cultivation are closely followed. He lays special stress on very careful cultivation and rotation of the cotton crop with her seem {Tri folium aleocandrium). The American cottons, Texas Big Boll and Boyd's Prolific and also the acclimatised Dharwar- American, have been tested during the last year in Sind and have given promising results. They have a shorter growing period than Egyptian cotton, enabling them to be sown on inunda- tion canals. At the sewage farm in Karachi Spence cotton, Egyptian cotton and Sea Island cotton were tried with disappointing results. This was to be expected, as cotton is in no way a suitable crop for a sewage farm. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 73 The Central Indian cottons consist onlj of bani, jari and varadi, with the usual preponderance of inferior types, and the remarks made on the Central Provinces cottons below will also apply to these. In November, 1908, the Cotton Specialist visited Bassein in the Konkan to study the results of Bourbon cotton cultivation there, and then proceeded to Pusa to discuss various subjects with the Inspector- General of Agriculture in India and other ofi&cers of the Imperial Department. Afterwards a visit was paid to Bhagalpur, and cotton matters were discussed there with ]Mr. Waod- house, Bengal Economic Botanist. Cotton is not, of course, an important crop in this Presidency, but the attention of the officers of the department might be drawn to the fact that Gossyi)ium intermedium (according to the classifi- cation of the Cotton Specialist) is perhaps common as a garden crop in some parts. At least three separate plots were seen between ^luzafierpur and Pusa, adjoining the railway. Sir George Watt, in his recent great work, states that the famous Dacca muslins were manufactured from one of the coarsest cottons in India, and he reproduces Rox- burgh's coloured figure to support his point. From internal evidence it may be gathered that Sir George Watt was ignorant of the existence of Gossypium intermedium, because the picture he gives shows clearly a distinct form of this race. Some varieties in favoured localities may produce fine staple which is far more likeh^ to be used in the manufacture of a superfine cloth than one which closely approaches the coarse Bengal or Assam type. There is no record of Gossypium intermedium being found anywhere in Eastern Bengal, but local ofiicers may not have suspected its existence as a garden crop grown in villages near houses and not in the fields. The real source of the Dacca muslin cotton is a matter sufficiently important for close investi- gation. The cultivation of hurhi cotton in Chota Nagpur is probably capable of extension. Hand gins have been supplied by the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Bengal, 74 «EPOKT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH for the use of villagers. The cultivation of the cotton crop generally in Chota Nagpur is on the decline, owning to the restriction of the daha system of cultivation. This system consists in burning thick layers of jungle on the land selected for the cotton crop. The land is thus fertil- ised with the ashes, and weeds are killed. If there is not enough jungle on the selected site, jungle including often valuable trees, is cut down at some distance and carried there. The system is a wasteful one, and its restriction cannot, therefore, be deprecated. Tree cottons are grown in the district to a limited extent. The plants give a fair return for three or four years after which their yields diminish. During the same month a visit was paid to the Central Provinces and Berar Exhibition, and full advantage taken of such a favourable opportunity of studying samples of cottons from all parts of the province. Side by side with the experiments which are being conducted for the improvement of the local jari and varadi by the selecting out of a superior race known as malvensis, work of great importance has been done in the introduction of hurhi cotton. The staple has been favourably reported on, but something further is required in the way of strength, and it is hoped the provincial department will attain this quality by selection. In the course of a conversation with an enterprising gentleman who cultivates about 1,000 acres of land near Yeotmal, it was learnt that hurhi cotton is thoroughly at home in low lying ground where jari was killed by excessive rain in the last season. There is thus a chance for the introduction of hurhi into areas of heavier rainfall, and Mr. Clouston has arranged to work out this point. It should not be grown, however, on the higher and drier lands which are exactly suitable foi- jari. Mr. Hemingway, Director of Agriculture, stated that a good deal of cotton wilt had been reported from the Satpuras, but he himself thinks that it is not really wilt, but damage caused by the heavy rainfall. He also stated that hani requires a heavier rainfall than jari, that the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 75 cultivation of the former has declined owing to a long succession of abnormally dry seasons, and that with more favourable climatic conditions, hani will probably again come into favour. He also says that the ryots are quite alive to the necessity of selecting good seed and hand gin what is required for their own use. In the adjoining tracts of the Nizam's territory, a parti- cularly fine cotton known as karkeli is grown from its centre of trade. A quantity of the best karkeli seed cotton was obtained, and after ginning, was submitted to Messrs. Tata for opinion. They valued it as equal to fine Broach and further stated that the chief characteristic of the karkeli variety of cotton is its tension which is greater than that of any other variety of Indian cotton, and that it is greatly valued by the mills on that account. The Cotton Specialist has supplied seed to all parts where the coarser cottons are grown, and when samples of the produce are received, he will, if the results are promising, be able to arrange for its introduction on a larger scale. This cotton consists of jari of a very superior type with an admixture of bani and uflancl Georgian. It is even in staple and general characteristics. However the fact that inferior cotton is brought down from Central India for mixing purposes, is to be deplored. At Barsi also a good type of cotton, mostly hani, used to be brought in from the Nizam's territory, but now, owing to the substitution of inferior varieties, its reputation has sadly diminished. It may be mentioned here that there is little direct proof of deterioration of the cotton plant anywhere in India, and that falling off in quality is greatly due to substitution of inferior varieties, or to mixture of good and bad varieties at the ginning factories. During January, 1909, the Cotton Specialist toured in Gujarat to study the factors of environment which influence the characteristics of the distinct varieties of cotton which exist there. Such a study may make it possible to formu- late general laws for the production of different varieties of cotton. 76 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEAROJl Many of the Kathiawar States this year have gladly undertaken to carry out experiments with superior cotton, and there is hope that the former good varieties will as^ain find a footing there. The experiments with Bourbon cotton at Nadiad farm are very promising. Years ago partial success was ob- tained in its cultivation in the Kaira district, and the ultimate failure was perhaps due to the ignorance of the requirements of a perennial cotton which needs careful pruning among other details. Some of the samples of cotton were valued very highly. Mr. Spence might have obtained success further north at Deesa if he had tackled the problem in the right way. Some samples of Bourbon cotton from the Coimbatore district have been favourably reported on by a Bombay merchant. Bourbon is probably the only foreign tree cotton worth experimenting with in India, and an attempt is at present being made to obtain sufficient information to enable definite schemes to be formulated for its cultivation on a larger scale. Its chief virtue at present seems to be that it is not suitable for ordinary cotton soil tracts where it would immediately suffer by admixture, but it would thrive on red and sandy soils where cotton is not a usual crop. In the Madras Presidency it is almost the sole memorial of the long defunct cotton department, and it has there suffered from long and unmerited neglect. In February, 1909, the Cotton Specialist attended the Board of Agriculture meeting at Nagpur, and there dis- cussed cotton matters with the officers interested. In March he toured through the southern Mahratta country, Madras Presidency and Bangalore where he advised the recently appointed Economic Botanist as to the experi- ments he should undertake. In the previous year three Bombay cottons were report- ed as having given satisfactory results at Bellary. Broach, however, shows a steady decline. The peculiar yellow coloured cotton of the Madras Presidency is objected to INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 77 in the Bombay market where a white colour is one of the chief desiderata. A constant introduction of fresh seed would only partially remove the difficulty, as even in the case of cotton at Dharwar from imported seed, it was pointed out to Mr. Gammie that it was darker in colour. In the southern part of the Madras Presidency it has been proved that the karangani is superior to ufpam, and steps are being taken to distribute quantities of the former. The introduction of the seed drill is considered the most important part of the work done. From Burma intimation was received that the depart- ment had resolved to begin experiments; so, as a prelimin- ary, sets of seeds of standard varieties were supplied in order that their behaviour might assist in arriving at some idea on what lines the trials should ultimately run. 3. Collection of Varieties. — A large collection of annual and perennial cottons, both indigenous and Ameri- can, has been kept under observation at Kirkee and Ganeshkhind. The only tree cottons which gave any promise of success, were Bourbon and Spence cotton which is ordinarily indistinguishable from Bourbon. 4. Distribution of Seed. — Considerable quantities of cotton seed have been supplied, in all, to 47 persons in various parts of India. 5. Identification and Valuation. — A good many samples have been sent in for identification and valuation. All samples received for valuation were submitted to Bombay merchants, and the verdicts transmitted to the .senders. An assistant recently appointed with a previous knowledge of cotton valuation, has studied the subject in Bombay and ought to prove of great help in the future in this line. It is hoped to keep in close touch with cotton merchants. The Cotton Specialist has met and talked with a good many, and he feels that the trader and not the farmer is the chief obstacle in the way of improvement. 78 HKPOKT or rur ac.huu i.rru.\i, UESF,.\i;rii ixsriri ri\ (>. Programme for 1909-10. — It is pi\^posc\l \o loiir in l\a>iorn iuMi^'al aiul l^hitiagout; 11 ill rr;u'is in iho aiuunin to a^N iso on ihc possibilities of inijM-o\ onivMU oi cultivation and introJnoiion of sniiablo snpoi'ior \arioiios. A visit nia\ 'V^ paid (o Rnrnia l;Uor on. A solionio will bo fornuilatod for oxioiulod i rials of Innirbon ooiion. at loast in tho Madras and Boiubav Prosidonoios. A tonr will again bo mado in Oiijarat to oontiinio tbo in\ost i^aiior. into tbo conditions wluoh atToot tbo prodnoiion o\ c'oiton. Tliis onqniry is also oarriod on \vlioro\or tonrin^- is dono. Tlio inirodiioiion of sn[iorior ootton into Kailiiawar anO of korki-li cotton into jari disiriois, will dopond on tbo ivsnlts av'hiovod. I'inally tbo Tono^n Spooiali^t is ai tbo disposal ot any one wbo nun- i\niniro bis ad^ ioo or disposal ot anv one assistance CALCtriTA SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, !ST)]\ 8) HASTINGS STREET ^ REPORT OF THE Agricultural Research Institute and College, Pusa. (Including Report of the Imperial Cotton Specialist) 1909=10 CALCUTTA SUPEBiWtENDENT government printing, INDIA 1910 Price As. 4 or 5«f. REPORT OF THE Agricultural Research Institute and College, Pusa. (Including Report of the Imperial Cotton Specialist) 1909-10 CALCUTTA SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNTHENT PRINTING, INDIA 1910 TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Introductory 1. Agriculture 2. Botany 3. Chemistry . 4. Entomology 5. Mycology . 6. Bacteriology 7. Cotton 8. Publications 9. Students TI. Report of tlie Director, Agricultural Eesearcli Insti tute, Pusa .... 1. Charge of Office 2. Staff 3. Scientific Work , 4. Buildings, Grounds, etc 5. Students 6. Publications 7., Library . . . 8. General Health of the Station 9. Accounts .... III. Report of the Imperial Agriculturist 1. Charge and Establishment 2. Training .... 3. Character of the Season 4. Cropping .... 5. Permanent Manurial and Rotation Experiments 6. Permanent Pasture Experiments 7. Fodder ..... 8. Breeding — (a) Cattle and Sheep (b) Poultry .... 9. Programme of Work for 1910-11 Page 1 I 2 3 4 4 4 6 6 7 7 7 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 12 n 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 u IV. Eeport of the Imperial Economic Botanist — Part I. — Teaching, Training and Staff Part II. — Investigations 1. Wheat 2. Fruit . 3. Tobacco 4. Fibres 5. General 6. Programme of Work for 1910-11 7. Publications y. Eeport of the Imperial Agricultural Chemist 1. Charge of Section 2. Meteorology 3. Drainage Data . 4. Water Requirements of Crops 5. Soil Gases .... 6. Usar Land 7. General Analytical Work . 8. Education 9. Establishment 10. Programme of Work for 1910-11 11. Publications VI. Eeport of the Imperial Entomologist 1. Charge and Establishment 2. Training 3. Provincial Work 4., Correspondence 5. Eesearch 6. Sericulture 7. Lac .... 8. Demonstration . 9. Insect Survey 10. Miscellaneous 11. Programme of Work for 1910-11 12. Publications VII. Eeport of the Imperial Mycologist 1. Charge and Establishment 2. Training .... 3. Accommodation 4. Aid to Provincial Departments Page 18 18 IS 18 20 20 20 20 21 22 23 23 23 23 23 24 24 26 27 27 27 28 29 29 30 30 32 33 33 36 36 37 38 38 39 40 40 41 41 41 in 6. i . 8. 9. Research Work . («) Blister Bliglit of Tea (6) Other Tea Diseases (c) Palm Disease (d) Sugarcane Diseases (e) Wilt Diseases (/) Ginger Eot (g) Fruit Diseases . (h) Eorest Tree Diseases (i) Other Plant Diseases Systematic Work Miscellaneous Programme of Work for 1910-11 Publications . . . . YIIT. Report of the Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist 1. Examination of Bacteria in the Soils of Pusa 2. Work on Nitrogen Fixation in Soils . 3. Disease of Eri-Silk Worm 4. Trials with Trope-Ratine .... 5. Charge of Section and Establishment 6. Programme of Work for 1910-11 IX. Report of the Imperial Cotton Specialist . 1. Charge and Tours ..... 2. Notes on Cultivation of Cotton in Provinces (a) Eastern Bengal and Assam (6) Bengal (c) Central Provinces (d) Berar (e) Bombay 3. Valuing of Samples . 4. Programme of Work for 1910-11 Page 42 42 43 43 43 44 44 44 45 45 46 46 46 47 4S 48 49 50 51 51 52 54 54. 55 55 58 60 63 69 69 69 Report of the loTitiiltiiral Researcli Institute and College, Pusa. {Including Refort of the Imperial Cotton Specialist.) 1909-10. V' INTRODUCTORY. TN presenting the report of the past year of the Agriciil- tural Research Institute and College at Piisa, and that of the Imperial Cotton Specialist, I shall confine /vp^ myself to a brief mention of the more important work noT\y undertaken in each section. ^^Kum^ Agriculture. — The Permanent Manurial and Rotation experiments and the Permanent Pasture experiments have been continued according to the scheme described in the Proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, 1908. Sufficient time has not elapsed for making deductions from their results. Perhaps amongst the most useful work carried out is that of the preservation of fodder. In a country like India where cattle-food supplies are subject to the vicissitudes of an uncertain climate, this subject is of the highest interest. The production of ensilage on the American principle has been found the most satisfactory method of preservation. Maize was found to give the most nutritious food when thus prepared, but in point of yield per acre sorghum has given more weight and is therefore more economical. An objection to the American system of making ensilage in this country is the expense of con- structing the silo. Experiments, however, are in progress 2 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH with a view of devising a cheap indigenous pattern which, if successful, will not only enable the better class of culti- vator to adopt siloing, but will be of use perhaps to Gov- ernment Departments in the preservation of fodder against famine years. As regards future work, that coming under the head of " Extension of Botanical Work " will doubtless prove the most important. The growth of selected varieties of wheats in extension of the work now being done by the Imperial Economic Botanist will be carried out on a practical scale with a view to still further extension in the future. Botany. — No part of a scheme for the improvement of agriculture gives greater promise of success than that which deals with improvements emanating from the treat- ment of the plant. This is especially the case in India where not only are the plants of most crops degenerated specimens, but where the poverty of the cultivator makes improvement entailing the use of capital well-nigh impossi- ble. By the introduction of a better plant, it is easily possible to increase yield and improve quality without adding to the cost of cultivation. The work which Mr. A. Howard, the Imperial Economic Botanist, is carrying out on wheat requires special recognition. The wheats which were sent home last year for testing have been found to rank in the same class as American and Canadian Spring wheats which command the highest price in the English market. It is almost needless to point out that these facts should have a most profound effect upon the export wheat trade of India. I desire here to record the appreciation felt for the invaluable assistance given by Mrs. Howard, who equally with her husband has accounted for the work of this Section. Chemistry. — The principal work undertaken by this department during the past year has been the study of Soil Gases in relation to other constituents in the soil, the examination into the nature of JJsar land and the investi- gations into the Water Requirements of Crofs. The work of the first two is not in a sufficiently advanced stage to INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. Z need reference at this moment, but attention may be invited to Dr. Leather's work on the Water Requirements of Crops. In India where water is the prime factor underlying the successful growth of crops, its conservation and its eco- nomic use are of first rate importance. These remarks apply equally whether the water is derived from the monsoon rainfall or the irrigation canal. How much water is transpired by various crops, and during what period of growth does the crop require the principal portion of this water, are questions of as great importance to the agricul- turist as to the irrigation engineer. In Chapter XI of the Report of the Indian Irrigation Commission, 1901-1903, the Commissioners remarked, " In the course of our investiga- tions, we have been struck with the small amount of atten- tion which appears to have been given by the Departments of Agriculture and Public Works to matters connected with the application of water to cultivated crops. At present, most of the information which can be had on these points has to be taken from papers published by the Agri- cultural Bureau in America . . . . . . We consider it extremely desirable that expert enquiry should be directed to these important matters, which are so intimately connected with the development of irrigation." This enquiry Dr. Leather has undertaken and in Mem.oir No. 8, Chemical Series, he has published the results of his work on the first section of the investigation, namely, that which deals with the total amount of water transpired by the crop and the period of growth during which the greater part is assimilated. The ratio between the amount of water transpired and the ultimate weight of dry crop is worked out for most of the principal Indian crops. Entom,ology. — One of the principal features of the work of this section is the attention which is being paid to industries that depend upon the products of insects. Thus Eri, Mulberry and Tussar silk and the cultivation of Lac are taking up much of the time of Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy, the Imperial Entomologist, and his staff. The Eri silk industry Bl2 i REPORT OF THE AGRICUETTTRAL RESEARCH has spread considerably in Tirhoot, Bhagalpur and Patna, where owing to their proximity, these places are under the direct influence of this Institute. It is also to be found in Malabar, Dharwar, the West Coast, Gujarat, Kathiawar, Sind, Patiala, Rohilkhund, Betul, Chanda and Murshi- dabad. Progress is at present somewhat retarded by the want of middlemen for collecting the cocoons from the rearers and conveying them to the mills, but it is expected that enterprise will eventually overcome this difficulty. Mycology. — The investigation into the Blister Blight of Tea carried OF.t by Mr. W. McRae while he officiated as Imperial Mycologist, has been the most important new work undertaken during the year. The disease which has been known for years in North-East Assam appeared for the first time in Darjeeling in 1908. In 1909, it extended, and this led to the Darjeeling Planters' Association asking the assistance of this Institute. It has spread still further this year into the Dooars and the Terai and its progress will be watched with anxietv bv all interested in tea. The Palm Disease in the Godavery Delta has not ceased to engage the attention of this Department, and recom- mendations have been made for continuing the work of repression, especially in the Kistna District wdiere, in spite of the repeated warnings of the Imperial Mycologist, it was being neglected. A full account of the disease and measures taken to check it is in the press and will appear shortly. Bacterioloay. — It is onlv necessarv to mention that with the appointment of Mr. C. M. Hutchinson as Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist, this section has been opened during the year. The importance of the study of the biological aspect of soils in this country cannot be over- estimated, and much useful information is anticipated from investigations in this quarter. Cotton. — The importance of the cotton plant not only to India but to the British Empire has led the Government Institute and college, pusa, for 1909-10. 5 to appoint a whole-time officer for this particular crop. Mention may here be made of the more important recom- mendations of the Imperial Cotton Specialist which will be found embodied in his report in greater detail. In Eastern Bengal and Assam, the prevalent type is that known as Gossyjjium neglectum var. Assamica of Watt and is commonly called the Garo Hill Cotton. It is not used m commerce as cotton but as a substitute or adulterant in wool manufacture and any attempt to improve it from the point of view of the cotton merchant would result in a serious diminution of price. The Imperial Cotton Specialist recommends that in any experiments carried out by the Department, this type of cotton should be adhered to, lest the experience of generations which has taught the use of a kind of cotton capable of growing under excessive rain- fall and the primitive agriculture of the Hill tracts, be lost and the present variety substituted by an unsuitable one. He, therefore, advises that trials should be confined to improving in this one type, the length of staple and the percentage of cotton to seed but that no attempt should be made to alter the special characteristics of the product. In Bengal the cottons appear altogether to be of an inferior type. Trials should be confined in this Province to the possibilities of G. intermedium and G. hirsutum, the latter preferably in its two forms of Buri and Cambodia. In the Central Provinces, it is pleasant to find that Mr. Clouston, Deputy Director of Agriculture, has selected a plant of the Buri variety which is promising well and that most valuable work is being done in these provinces by the introduction of Buri. The recommendations of the Imperial Cotton Specialist in regard to these provinces may be summarised as under : — (1) The introduction of Buri to accompany Bani but not to oast Jari. (2) The improvement of Bani in its percentage of cotton. (3) The isolation of the different types of Jan. 6 REPORT OF THE AGR I CU LTURAL RESEARCH The report of the Imperial Cotton Specialist so far as other Provinces are concerned does not call for any com- ment. Publications. — In addition to the Agricultural Journal of India, the Memoirs of the Department of Agriculture in India, Bulletins and Leaflets, two publications of importance have issued from the Institute during the past year, namely, Indian Insect Life by Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy assisted by Mr. F. M. Hewlett and Wheat in India by Mr. and Mrs. Howard. Indian Insect Life contaiiijing 786 pages of printed matter and 619 illustrations has been well received both in India and abroad and is without doubt the most advanced and comprehensive manual of Indian insects yet published. Wheat in India containing 288 pages and 18 illustrations, deals in a complete manner with the pro- duction, varieties and improvement of Indian wheat. In order to be useful to all interested in the various aspects of wheat production, the scope of the book has been made as wide as possible. Students. — Out of the students admitted in the previous year, nine continued their course and of these seven left during the year after the completion of their training and one was recalled to his province before the expiry of his term. Four new students were admitted during the year, viz., one each in Chemistry, Mycology, Entomology and Agriculture. In the short practical courses in Agricul- ture, Fruit-growing, Silk-culture, Lac cultivation. Cattle Breeding ?vnd Management and the like, 39 students were admitted, some of whom took up more than one subject. BERNARD COVENTRY, Offg. Inspector General of Agriculture in India- Simla; The 1st October 1910. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR THE YEAR 1909-1910. (E. J. BUTLER, M.B., F.L.S.) 1. Charge of Office. — Mr. B. Coventry held charge of the office of Director up to the 9th May 1910, with the exception of one month in September- October 1909, when he was on privilege leave and Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy, M.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S., Imperial Entomologist, acted for him during his absence in addition to his own duties. In consequence of his appointment as Officiating Inspector General of Agriculture in India, Mr. Coventry relin- quished charge of the office of Director on the 9th May 1910, and I was appointed to officiate for him in addition to my own duties. 2. Staff.— Dv. J. Walter Leather, Ph.D., F.I.C., F.C.S., Imperial Agricultural Chemist, returned from leave on the 27th October 1909 and took over charge of the chemical section from Mr. H. E. Annett. The latter has been deputed to act as Agricultural Chemist, United Provinces, from the 3rd November 1909. The charge of the mycolo- gical section was taken over by me from Mr. W. McRae, M.A., B.Sc, on the 27th December 1909, when I returned from leave, and immediately after Mr. McRae proceeded to Madras to join his new appointment as Mycologist to the Government of Madras. His successor, Mr. F. J. F. Shaw, B. Sc, A.R.C.S., joined his appointment as Super- numerary Mycologist on the 28th January 1910. Mr. C. W. Mason, Supernumerary Entomologist, left the Department on the 19th December 1909, and Mr. T. Bain- brigge-Fletcher, R.N., F.E.S., joined this Institute as Supernumerary Entomologist on the 8th April 1910. The Second Imperial Entomologist, Mr. F. M. Howlett, B.A., F.E.S., has been on leave since the 9th September 1909 and 8 KEPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH is expected to return in January next. Mr. C. M. Hutchinson, B.A., joined the Department on the 24th December 1909, as Imperial Agricultural Bacterio- logist. The charge of the Farm was relinquished by Mr. E. Shearer, Imperial Agriculturist, on the l7th July 1909, in consequence of his promotion to the post of Assist- ant Inspector General of Agriculture in India and the Director was placed in charge of the duties of the Imperial Agriculturist in addition to his own duties. Mr. G. C. Sherrard, 13. A., Supernumerary Agriculturist, was appoint- ed to be Assistant Agriculturist with effect from 17th July 1909. He was on privilege leave from 2nd to 20th Nov- ember 1909, and from 6th June 1910 to 6th July 1910. Mr. A. McKerral, M.A., B.Sc, who has been appointed Assistant Inspector General of Agriculture in India, vice Mr. 1^. Shearer, resigned, has been lent to the Pusa staff' to undertake the w^ork of Imperial Agriculturist under the Director as a provisional measure. He joined his duties at this Institute on the 19th June 1910- The botanical section was in charge af Mr. A. How^ard, M.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S., up to 30th April 1910, when he proceeded on leave to England. Mr. G. l\ Hector, M.A., B.Sc, Supernumerary Botanist, was transferred to Eastern Bengal and Assam on the Idth July 1909, and the services of Mr. E. Holmes-Smith, B.Sc, Economic Botanist designate of Burma, were transferred to this Department with effect from the 15th July 1909, for appointment as Supernumerary Botanist. The latter has been on deputa- tion in tlie Bombay Presidency since the 6th March 1910, to acquire experience of work in a province. Tlie European Scientific Staff" of the Institute consisted of tlic following : — (1) The Imperial Agricultural Chemist wdth one Super- numerjiry, (2) the Imperial Mycologist with one Super- numerary, (;}) tlie Imperial Ent(miol()gist with one Super- numerary, (4) the Imperial Eccmomic Botanist with one Supernumerary, (5) the Second Imperial Entomologist, (6) iNHTlTiri'l-; AM) (:()\AA:(.l., |M SA, lOl',. I'lU'i I'). d llw I iiif)(ri;il /\f.a'i(;ult ijf;il linclcrioIof.Mst , (7) lit'-. AHHinl,;u)l- Jrjs|i<:<;t.'>r (acah:ih.\ ol' Aj.7')<;iill nf; in Ii)'li;i. (Wjnp'^r.'i.rily iri f:li;ir^r(; of tlic atrrif;!!!! iiral sccti'Wii v,)tli tlx- AHHinl;ini AfTJfMjIt.ijriHt, J)urinr^ tljf; y(;ar iin'l' f i' ]>()rl, tj."; j>ay and po-j't i'lfi <>(' S(;vcral of tli'. .-,'fii',r- Iii'Ikui aHHintantH <>\ ili' m Mtntc; won; nii\>r<>\'<\ ;mi'1 iIm lir.l, assislanlH in f/;n ;nlrn)tW(l to rrazctU^d r.mk. 'i. Scifmlijij; Worl:. 'I lif. sf;if;nt,ifif; work of Um; J/itj liiU; dijririf( t,ho .y'''''f '■-' ifiH)f;;j.t,f:fl In \\i<: f p'j' . 'J' the various S(;ctJons. 4. liuUdinffs, (jlrounds, hLc. \\\ f;of) .o^ju* n'o of flio transfer oj' flio }if;ad 'jinirt/r-, of \\\^. I n .p'-.oi.or- ^\':\\'.v.y\ oi y\grif:uJfnfo in ln'ii;i, i.o \'\\rM, f/,o tjlof:k.. of nov, fjii;),rM;rH have \)i'AA\ d' j>.u tj/j( fjt.ally f;on .truotrd lor- ihf; usJI<-,;^^<; building have l;oorj fully laid out and anan^y;//i';nf., njado lor irrif^atirjf/ tho lawns. 5. Studhuta. — Out oi' tljf; -tudorjf-, ;j/i/nlt,tr;fj jij tjjo pre- vious year, 0 continuod li>';jr oou//; ;j,nd oJ tjjo ,o 7 loft during tho yoar after tijo oor/jjJoUon oi lljojr lr;jjrjjng and one was rocallod to Iji . \>r<)-:\urivate studorit irorn liorrjbay;, ono In i>nt/; rnology, from the Central i'rovjnoe. lJop.;.rtment oJ Agri- culture, arjd one for a general (y^urs^; in Agrieulture from the Punjab iJepartment of Agrieulture. '1 }je j>rivate htu dent in Myeology ha:-,, however, abando/jod ffjo oour/, arjd left the Institute. '1 f>^;re were at the erjd oi t.ho yo;j.r jour students under training, -ci^., orjo jrj C}je//ji:-,try, f.vo jn l.n'.omoloffv and one ior a general eours^^. liic short (jjiir'Miii in practical agrieijlture and j/j otljer allifi^I pr^/;tical »ubject.s inaugurated Ja.v /ear at J'usa 01 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH were continued. The number of students admitted to the various sections for these courses was as follows : — Six in fruit-growing, eighteen in silk-culture, ten in lac culti- vation, nine in cattle breeding and management, three in poultry management and three in tillage implements and agricultural machinery. The students for these courses came from different parts of India and some of them took up more tlian one subject. 6. Publications. — This work has been continued. During the year under report two new books, one " Indian Insect Life " by Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy, Imperial Entomo- logist, assisted by Mr. F. M. Howlett, Second Imperial Entomologist, and the other " Wheat in India " by Mr. A. Howard, Imperial Economic Botanist, and Mrs. Howard, were puljlished in addition to the Agricultural Journal of India, tlie Memoirs of the Department of Agriculture in India, J^ulletins and Leaflets. 7. Library. — The revised catalogue of the library is still in the press. Over a thousand volumes have been ciddcd to the library during the year. 8. General Health of the Station. — The general health of the station during the year under report was good, ex- cepting in the monsoon period. Relief was afforded in the hospital to 6,231 new cases, of which 6,015 were treated in the outdoor department and 216 admitted as indoor pati- ents. These figures show an increase of 2,918 and 112 respectively over last year's totals. The increase in attend- ance was due to the greater prevalence of malarial and allied fevers during the months of July, August and Sep- trm})or, 1909. 99 cases amongst European officers and their families were attended to. Tlic daily average number of patients treated was 696 indoor and 4897 out-door as against 468 and 25-05 respect- ively during the previous 12 months. Five deaths occurred in hospital — two cases from pneu- monia in aged and del)ilitated subjects, one from malarial cachexia and two from Kala-Azar. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 11 Eighty-eight surgical operations were performed, of which 4 were major and the remainder minor. The prevailing diseases were malarial fevers, bowel complaints and rheumatic and skin affections. Malarial fever cases were diagnosed microscopically before treat- ment. There were no cases of infectious diseases, except a case of chicken-pox (imported). Eight primary and three revaccinations were performed in the early part of the year. 9. Accounts. — The total expenditure incurred during the year was Rs. 3,12,427 as against Rs. 3,23,900 of the preceding year. The principal items of expenditure are pay of gazetted officers and establishment Rs. 1,78,680, tra- velling allowance of officers and establishment Rs. 14,699, publications Rs. 30,000 and farm expenditure, scientific apparatus, books, contingencies, etc., Rs. 89,048. The gross receipts during the year by sale of farm pro- duce, milk and other miscellaneous articles amounted to Rs. 5,573 as against Rs. 9,680 of the preceding year. The decrease is due to the abnormal rainfall (amounting to 72 inches) which damaged the crops. 12 EXPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURIST FOR THE YEAR 1909-10. (A. McKerral, M.A., B.Sc.) 1. Charge and Estahlishment. — Mr. Ernest Shearer, Imperial Agrieiiltiirist, relinquished charge of the farm on lOth July 1909 on his promotion to the post of Assist- ant Inspector General of Agriculture in India, and his duties were taken up by Mr. Bernard Coventry, the Director, Agricultural Research Institute, in addition to his own work. Mr. G. Sherrard, who had previously acted as Supernumerary Agriculturist, v/as appointed Assistant Agriculturist- Amongst the subordinate staff, Mr. G. N. Desai, First Farm Overseer, was transferred in March J 910, to the Agricultural Department of the Bom- bay Presidency, and Mr. Ikramuddin, the Second Farm Overseer, was promoted to First Farm Overseer in his place. Mr. Ziauddin liyder, fieldman, was in charge of the Poultry until promoted in April 1910 to the post of Second Farm Overseer, Mr. Nizamuddin Hyder being ap- pointed in his place. Mr. Judah Hyam, the Veterinary Overseer, remained in charge of the breeding herds as before. During the year, the Government of India were pleased to raise him to Gazetted rank along with certain other Indian Assistants of the Institute. 2. Training. — The two students Bhai Sunder Singh and JJhai Kliarak Singh, sent by the Punjab Agricultural Department for a general course of agriculture, completed tlu^ir training and returned to their province to take up respectively the posts of Assistant Director of Agricul- ture and Assistant Professor of Agriculture- A third student, Chowdliuri Fateh-ud-din, sent by the same depart- ment, was admitted to a general course in agriculture from 18th August 1909. Sliort courses in cattle breeding and management, poultry management, tillage implements, and agricul- tural machinery were given to some 15 students. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 13 3. Character of the Season. — The rainfall for the sea- son amounted to 72 inches, which is some 30 inches above normal. It was very badly distributed and was preci- pitated at times in such large quantities that the crops became injured. The result of the monsoon harvest was consequently a disappointment and the yields in no way approximated to expectation. The rain, too, was unusually heavy in the month of October, which not only retarded the preparation of the land for the rabi season, but caused unprecedented sickness amongst the labourers. 4- Crofping. — The trials with many varieties of sugar- cane were continued as in previous years. In spite, however, of the care and control with which the cultiva- tion and selection of this crop was carried out, the results were disappointing. It has been realised that the locality is unsuited to the growth of thick canes such as were being cultivated and with the exception of a small area reserved for the Mycologist and Entomologist the cultivation of this crop has been abandoned. Jute and flax have been grown for experiments for the Fibre Expert to the Gov- ernment of Eastern Bengal and Assam with varying degrees of success. With regard to jute, the experiments were mostly for the purpose of determining the botanical characters in a collection of specimens. While this crop grows well in these districts, it is generally recognised that it does not do so well as in Eastern Bengal and its cultivation amongst the cultivators of Behar is not extending. With regard to flax, prospects appear promising provided the crop is grown in the best possible way, that is to say in strong. land with an abundance of moisture. The work in this crop is being extended, and the experiments now in progress should solve most of the doubts and difficulties which prevent its being more gene- rally adopted. In addition to the usual cultivation of rice carried out on the farm, the use of bone meal and saltpetre was tried in a series of J acre plots. Two alternate plots were unmanured and the other two manured with 30 seers 14 REPORT OF THE AGRICTJLTTJRAL RESEARCH of saltpetre and 3 maimds of bone meal per acre. The results were as under : — Mds Seers. (1) Manured . . . . • 30 17 per acre. (2) Not manured . . . . 26 22 ,, (3) Manured 29 5 ,, (4) Not manured . . . . 26 4 ,, The result is slightly in favour of the manured plots, but the difference is not sufficient to warrant the expendi- ture. The remainder of the crops on the farm were grown mainly for the purpose of fodder for the increasing num- bers of cattle. These crops consist chiefly of maize, sor- gum, arhar (Cajanus indicus), and oats. A large number of varieties of crops in small plots were grown for the use of the Entomologist and Mycologist. The brick-field area, brought under cultivation for the first time, was sown with a mixed crop of rice, sorghum, and moong {Phaseolus mungo), and gave quite satisfactory results. 5. Permanent Manurial and Rotation Exferiments. — These have been continued according to the scheme described in the Proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, 1908. Sufficient time has not elapsed for making deduc- tions from these experiments. 6. Permanent Pasture Eocferiments. — The series of permanent pasture experiments laid down in the monsoon of 1907, according to the scheme described in the Proceed- ings of the Board of Agriculture held at Pusa in February 1D08, has been maintained. The experiments aim at deter- mining the effect of different manurial dressings (1) on the total yield of the herbage and (2) on its quality and botanical composition. So far as yield is concerned, it is much too early as yet to make any deductions, especially as the first two seasons during which the experiments took place were not normal with respect to rainfall. With re.sjard to the quality of the herbage also, sufficient time has not elapsed for radical changes to have taken place. In fact, as the total number of species of grasses and legumes which were originally present was small, it is INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. ;I5 scarcely to be expected that such complete alteration of the flora as has characterised similar experiments in Europe may be looked for in the case of Pusa. The condition of the plots at present may be summarised as follows : — In the cold weather, they consist mostly of A fang {Andropogon annulatus) with a certain amount of dubh {Cynodon dactylon) and in the rains, of Digitaria and Rottboelia. At the end of the rains, the whole area is overgrown by rari {Sacctiarum sfontaneum) and dabhi (Im- perata arundinacea) which disappear entireiy during the cold weather. The only legumes worthy of notice are Medicago lupilina, Linn., and Indigofera linifolia, Retz., both of which are " bottom " plants, useless for hay pur- poses. Weeds are practically a negligible quantity- On the whole, the composition of all the plots is as yet practi- cally the same. 7. Fodder. — The supply of fodder for the cattle is one of the chief objects of the farm, and consequently by far the larger portion of the arable area is devoted to this purpose. Maize, sorghum, arhar {Cajanus indicus), and oats are the crops found most suitable. Ensilage is much resorted to, and if the process is properly carried out in silos of the American type, it is invariably a success. Maize probably gives the most nutritious food when thus prepared, but in point of yield per acre sorghum is more satisfactory and therefore more economical. The amount of silage made last year on the farm was 13,329 maunds. 8. Breeding, (a) Cattle and Sheep. — The Montgomery herd of cows continues to do well and its numbers have been increased. There are 62 cows, 3 bulls, and 108 young stock. The local herd of cattle which was maintained for thei Bengal Government have been removed to Bettiah where they are being looked after by the Bengal Agricul- tural Department. This has given us more room for the extension of the Montgomery herd. The flock of 80 Bikanir sheep which were purchased two years ago have not done well. The change from an excessively arid to a humid tract caused a breakdown in their constitution and the 16 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ma.iority have died. The remainder will be got rid of, and in their place is being substituted a flock of Gorakh- pur ewes which are good specimens of the local breed. These are at present doing well. It is intended to cross them with Dumbha rams with a view to improvement for mutton purposes. (b) Poultry Breeding. — This work is now being con- ducted on a fairly large scale. The stock consists of 18 pens of fowls nearly all of pure breeds, one pen of Mammoth Bronze Turkeys, and one flock each of Embden Geese and Aylesbury ducks. The object is to supply at reasonable prices fresh blood of imported strains to Provincial Agri- cultural Farms and private individuals who are unable to afford the expense and risk of direct importation. This is effected either by egg distribution or by sale of birds. The price of eggs is Rs. 6 a dozen and birds are Rs. 30 for an adult trio and Rs- 16 for half grown birds. The es^gs are sent by post or by rail in boxes specially made for the purpose, but it has to be acknowledged that this mode of distribution has not, by any means, been success- ful. The percentage of successful incubation from eggs transmitted by post or rail was extremely low, indeed so low that this method had to be discontinued. The failure is due doubtless to the fact that distances are so great in India, and the Postal and Railway authorities so unaccus- tomed to handling delicate articles like eggs, that the jolt- iner and rough treatment in transit must have destroyed their fertility. The distribution of birds may Be taken to have been altogether a success even in the case of long distances. The varieties of fowls which at present have done best are the Partridge Wyandotte, White Wvandotte, White Orpington, and Barred Plymouth Rocks. The Mammoth Bronze Turkeys have also done very well. 9. Programme of worh for 1910-11: — 1. Permanent Encperiments. — The permanent mannrial and rotation ex- periments and the pasture experiments will be continued. 2. Extension of Botanical work. — The growth of select- ed varieties of wheat will be taken up in extension of the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 17 work now being done by the Imperial Economic Botanist, This work will be carried on in consultation with, and under the botanical surveillance of, the Imperial Economic Botanist. 3. Cattle Breeding. — The local herd has been trans- ferred to the Bengal Agricultural Department and the Montgomery herd will now be considerably increased. Im- provement of this breed by selection based principally on milk tests will be the chief object in view. 4. Shee'p. — The crossing of Gorakhpur ewes with Dumbha rams will be undertaken. 5. Poultry. — Poultry breeding and distribution will be continued. 6. Training. — Courses in cattle breeding and the management of poultry will be given as heretofore. 18 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT or THE IMPERIAL ECONOMIC BOTA- NIST, FOR THE YEAR 1909-10. (A. Howard, M.A.; A.R.C.S.; F-CS.; F.L.S.) Part I. Teaching, Training and Staff. — Two Supernumerary Botanists were in training during the year under review. Mr. G. P. Hector, M.A., B.Sc., the Economic Botanist- designate of Eastern Bengal and Assam, proceeded to that province on July 14th, 1909. Mr. E. Holmes-Smith, B.Sc-, Supernumerary Botanist, worked at Pusa till February last when he proceeded to Bombay. Five students attended the course on fruit growing and in addition, there were four students who attended special courses. One further short-course student was sent for a few weeks by the Economic Botanist to the Govern- ment of Bengal. Mr. Ijaz Husain, Manager of the Lyallpur Farm, gave up his post in the Punjab Agricultural Department so as to become trained in this section as third assistant. My second assistant, Mr. Abdur Rahman Khan, has continued his training in Economic Botany in the section. I have pleasure in reporting the continued progress made by this assistant who, I believe, possesses real aptitude for and a thorough interest in Economic Botany. He is the joint author of an important memoir on some aspects of plant breedinsj in India recently submitted for publication. While all other members of the staff have improved in their work, the services of my clerk, Ram Nechhawar Lai and of my second fieldman, Sarup Singh, deserve mention. Part II. Investigations- Wheat. — I am able to report very considerable progress in the wheat investigations of this section along several lines, INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 19: The expectations foreshadowed in Pusa Bulletin No. 14 on the possibility of growing stronger wheats with better milling qualities than those now exported from India have been abundantly realised during the past year. A further set of Pusa selected wheats was sent to Mr. Humphries for milling tests. Several of these wheats were found to possess great strength and high milling qualities and to be of the same class as American and Canadian Spring wheats which command the highest prices on the English market. The results of this work are published in Pusa Bulletin No. 17. The results obtained during the year on the influence of the environment on the quality of wheat have been sub- mitted for publication as a memoir. This work, which is being conducted in collaboration with Mr. H. M. Leake, Economic Botanist to the Government of the United Pro- vinces, has been greatly extended during the past year. While it has been proved that environment influences quality, the most practical outcome of this work is the dis- covery of the fact that the quality of any wheat depends largely on the proper and efficient preparation of the land and that canal irrigation does not necessarily injuriously affect the milling qualities of wheat. It is expected that great consequences will result from these investigations and that they will be the means of opening a new chapter in the production of wheat in India and in the agricultural practices of the Indo-Gangetic plain. The Monograph on Indian Wheat has been published during the year. While going through the press, it was necessary to add a considerable amount of new matter so as to bring it up to date. The book represents the results of the preliminary work on wheat which has been done at Pusa during the last four years and will, I trust, be of use to students and some members of the Agricultural Depart- ment. The investigations on the natural crossing of wheat in India have been written up and incorporated in a memoir. c % 20 REPORT OF IHE AGRTCrLTFRAL RESEARCH it has been proved that under canal irrigation in the Punjab, crossing is exceedingly common, a fact which will render seed distribution and wheat breeding work at Lyall- pur somewhat difficult. Many of the new Pusa selections and also some of the new hybrid wheats were grown on quarter acre plots at Pusa this year. As no rain fell during the growing period and as no irrigation water was applied, the crop derived its moisture from the water stored up in the soil from the previous monsoon. The yields varied from 25 maunds in the case of early varieties to 35 maunds per acre in the case of the later sorts and some of the new hybrids. About 2-5 tons of straw to the acre were produced. These yields are unprecedented for India and were possible on account of the system of cultivation and dry-farming employed in the Botanical area at Pusa. Fruit. — The results so far obtained in fruit-groAving at Pusa have been published in Pusa Bulletin No. 16. A visit was paid to Quetta during the year and^ proposals have been put forward for developing the fruit investiga- tions of the section. Tobacco. — The results of the tobacco investigations have been published in two memoirs on the subject which form a basis for further work. Natural crossing is common in the crop but easily prevented by raising seed under bag which gives rise to uniform crops. Some preliminary curing experiments have been conducted in conjunction with the Peninsular Tobacco Company with both American and Indian varieties. The Pusa varieties have given the best results so far. Fibres. — A good deal of work has been done on Hibis- cus cannabinus, but I have Been unable to find time to write up the results. A memoir on san {Crotalaria juncea) has been published in which the beneficial effect of this crop as a green manure for tobacco has been described. General. — A large amount of work on the occurrence of natural cross-fertilization in India has been written up t^^STITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 2t as a memoir and submited for publication. The signifi- cance of this work both from the point of view of plant breeding and from that of seed distribution has been emphasised. Programme of work for 1910-11. — 1. Training. — The training of advanced students in this section will be con- tinued on the lines laid down in the prospectus of the Insti- tute. The course on fruit-growing will be given as usual in the cold weather. 2. Plant breeding and flant improvement. — During 1910, the following crops will be studied : — wheat, tobacco, barley, oilseeds and fibre plants. {a) Wheat. — The botanical" survey of the wheats of Baluchistan will be completed. The production of im- proved varieties by selection and hybridization will be con- tinued. The co-operative experiments on the effect of en- vironment on the milling and baking qualities of Indian wheats, which are being conducted in collaboration with Mr. H. M. Leake, Economic Botanist to the United Provin- ces, and of which the earlier results are now in course of publication, are being continued on an extended basis. The above experiments include the effect of weathering on the quality of the wheat crop and the Imperial Bacteriolo- gist has agreed to undertake the study of the bacteriologi- cal aspect of this subject. (b) Tobacco. — The production of new varieties by selec- tion and hybridization will be continued as well as the test- ing and curing of the varieties already isolated. The investis^ations on the influence of environment on the stability of the type and on the quality will continued. ic) Oil-seeds. — The study of the oil-seeds of India will be continued on similar lines to those adopted in the investi- gations on wheat. id) Fibres. — The isolation and testing of pure races of the fibre plants of India will be continued. ie) Fruit. — The fruit experiments will be continued on the lines laid down in the First Fruit Report. 22 REPORT Oi*' THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (/) Minor Investigations. — The study of the varieties of cassava will be completed and the investigation on the inheritance of sex in Ganja continued. Publications. — The following books and papers have been published and written during the year : — Ileport on Economic Botany for the Board of Scientific Advice, 1909 (in the press). The Milling and Baking Qualities of Indian Wheats, No. 2. Some new Pusa Selections tested in 1909 (with G. L. C. Howard). Bulletin No. 17 of tlie Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa. Second Report on the Pusa Fruit Experiments, Bulletin No. 16, Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa. The Fertilising Influence of Sunlight (with G. L. C. Howard). Nature, February 17th, 1910. Studies in Indian Tobaccos. No. 1. The types of Nicotiana rustica L. Yellow-flowered tobacco (with G. L. C. Howard). Memoirs of the Imperial Department of Agri- culture {Botanical Series), Vol. Ill, No. 1. Studies in Indian Tobaccos. No. 2. The types of Nicotiana tabacum L. (with G. L. C. Howard). Memoirs of the Im,perial Department of Agriculture {Botanical Series), Vol. Ill, No. 2. Studies in Indian Fibre Plants. No. 1. On two varieties of Sann, Crotalaria juncea, L. (with G. L. C. Howard). Memoirs of the Imperial Department of Agriculture [Botanical Series), Vol. Ill, No. 3. The Influence of the Environment on tne Milling and Baking Qualities of Wheat in India. No. 1. The results of 1907-08 and 1908-09 (with H. M. Leake and G. L. C. Howard). Memoirs of the Imperial Department of Agri- culture {Botanical Series), Vol. Ill, No. 4. The Economic Significance of Natural Cross-fertilization in India (with G. L. C Howard and Abdur Eahman Khan). Memoirs of the Imperial De parturient of Agricultune (Botanical Series), Vol. Ill, No. 6 (in the press). Wheat in India, its varieties, j)roduction and improvement (with G. L. C. Howard). Published by Thacker, Spink and Company, Calcutta. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 23^ REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMIST, FOR THE YEAR 1909-10. (J. Walter Leather, Ph.D.; F.I.C; F.C.S.) Charge of Section. — Mr. H. E. Annett, B.Sc, M.S.E.A.C, Supernumerary Agricultural Chemist, was in charge of this section until October 27th when I returned from leave. Meteorology. — In addition to the usual temperature, humidity, etc., records, an evaporimeter has been construct- ed and the data will prove of service to both the Meteoro- logical and Irrigation Departments. The first instrument employed, a self-recording one, proved to be defective, chiefly because the atmospheric dust of the hot weather accumulated in the working parts. A much simpler and quite reliable instrument was kindly supplied to me by the Chief Engineer, Punjab Irrigation Branch, and reliable data can now be obtained, though the record is not self- maintained. Drainage data. — The records of drainage under con- ditions of both bare-fallow and cropped soil at Cawnpore and Pusa are now bearing fruit and the first few years' results will be put together for publication at the close of the present monsoon. In addition to the quantities of water which percolate, evaporate or run off the land res- pectively, information regarding the period of most active nitrification, as also the effect of crops on nitrification is being gleaned. This subject is not entirely novel, M. Deherain having published information in respect of it some 15 years ago, but it has not generally been acknow- ledged as important. The crops, wheat and maize, which were grown on two of the Pusa gauges, depressed in some way or other the formation of nitrates last year very materially. Water requirements of cro'ps. — The first section of this investigation was published during the year as Memoir 24 REPORT" OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH No. 8, Chemical Series, and dealt with both the total amount transpired as also the period during which the greater part was assimilated. The effects of temperature and humidity, proportion of water in the soil, manure, the nature of the crop, etc., were dealt with. One of the most important of these is manure, which whilst increasing the weight of the crop and consequently the amount of water required, effects an economy of the latter since the increased requirement of water is proportionately less than the increase in crop. Good tillage probably has a similar property. The second section of the investigation has to do (^) with the effect of different soils and (ii) with the results of field tests; this will be published shortly. Soil Gases. — ^The first section of work in connection with the subject of soil gases dealing with the relations of carbonic acid to calcium carbonate and water, has been published as Memoir No. 7, Chemical Series, and it is expected that a second section dealing with the similar relations to magnesium carbonate will be published in the course of the cold weather. Usar land. — At the request of the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Central Circle, United Provinces, an investi- gation into the nature of some land which has been going out of cultivation in the Mainpuri District, has been com- menced and has indeed absorbed so much time that no less than three or four of the assistants are at present utilised for it. The soil is Usar, of the " black alkali " type, but the amount of alkali present was thought at first to be too small to account for the sterility. The sub-soil water level has risen seriously of late years and no doubt was felt that this was one of the primary causes of the trouble. But in addition to this, preliminary tests showed that the soil is so highly impervious to water that this feature alone might account for sterility. All, or at least nearly all, the water assimilated by plants must move through a certain amount of soil before it comes in contact with the root; such distances may only be a few inches or centimetres, INSTITUTI^ AND COLLEGE, K'^A, FOR 1909-10. io but this feature of the process must nevertheless b recognised; and if the amount of water moving to the root in a given time is too small for the nourishment of the plant, there may be abundance of water in the soil, and yet unable to reach the roots sufficiently quickly; the plant's energy would thus become reduced, and the crop might die oft; altogether. There were thus three distinct questions involved, namely, (^) the high sub-soil water level, {ii) the aniali in the soil, and [iii) the impervious nature of the soil. The investigations which are being conducted at Pusa hcive to do with Nos. {ii) and {Hi) of these questions. In order to study the subject in the field as far as possible, Mr. S. C. Kar, M.A., the second assistant, was deputed to work under the instructions of Mr. B. C. Burt, Deputy Director of Agriculture, United Provinces, at Bhadan, where a temporary laboratory was fitted up. Here the amounts of alkali and water were determined in the soil at specific points, in every 6 inches depth down to 7 feet or 8 feet from the surface, until the middle of May, when this part of the work was transferred to Pusa. In addition to an estimate of the amount of salts in these soils, it was especially desired to ascertain the amount of their upward movement during dry weather or their down- ward movement during the rains. But since no two tests can be taken in exactly the same place and since further it is known that the amounts of such salts vary consider- ably within comparatively short distances in the lateral direction, it became necessary to determine this latter, as an adjunct to the former feature. Such an investigation involves more work than might appear necessary at first sight and the whole series of tests are not yet complete, but it has become abundantly evident that {i) the amount of variation laterally is, as was anticipated, comparatively large, and (n) that in these soils the amount of upward movement of salts to the surface during the dry weather is only nominal. This latter feature is quite in accord with expectation; the amount of salts brought to the surface 26 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH will depend largely on the amount of water moving upward ; if the soil is highly impervious to w^ater, such movements will be very limited; and consequently the amount of salts brought to the surface must likewise be limited. There was hardly any upward movement of water, and according- ly there could be no material concentration of salts at the surface. The soil being so highly impervious to water, it became of first importance to try to measure this characteristic. By an improvement of a method originally suggested by Mr. Milton Whitney of the United States Department of Agriculture, a mechanical test has been devised, by the aid of which very interesting information has been obtained regarding the rate at which water can move through the Mainpuri as also through other soils. Thus for example, the Usar land in the Mainpuri District which w^e have been examining, is highly impervious as far down at least as the samples were drawn; the Juhi Usar reserve near Cawnpore is similar to a depth of 5 feet after which it is quite pervious to water ; other sterile spots of land have proved to be quite pervious to water, and their sterility must be due to other causes. In addition to these lines of investigation an exhaus- tive series of pot-cultures has been commenced at Pusa in order to ascertain whether the defective physical state of the Bhadan (Mainpuri) Usar soil can be remedied or reduced; and if this change were effected, whether the amount of alkali is itself sufficient to cause sterility; also what plants will grow most readily under such adverse conditions. Finally, in addition to work on the Bhadan soil, the Usar land which has been wholly or partly reclaimed near Aligarh, by the Department and by Mr. Keventer respec- tively, is being examined in order to ascertain what changes have taken place during the period of years that the work has been in progress. General Analytical Work. — The number of samples sent for analysis has remained, as in the preceding year. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 27 much smaller than it formerly was. Most of the Provin- cial Departments are now able to execute all such work for themselves, and assistance m this respect has only been asked for from three provinces. The major part of the remaining samples has been submitted by the officers in charge of the Military Farms, who require opinions on soils and on grasses and other feeding stuffs. Educatio7i. — One student from the Punjab took a short elementary course of Chemistry. One of the assistants of the Agricultural Chemist, United Provinces, is taking a three months' course. In addition, two new assistants on the ordinary establishment have been entertained, and these, as in all such cases, have been largely in the position of students. Estahlishment. — The changes involved have been due (i) to a junior assistant not being confirmed and another appointed in his place, and (w) to the temporary appoint- ment of a graduate of the Bombay University to act during the absence of other members of the regular establishment. The latter case is of interest, because although this assist- ant is an M.A. graduate with very good credentials, he was willing to come for a purely temporary acting appoint- ment on Rs. 50 and thereby try to learn something. The other assistant who was appointed during the year, worked purely as a volunteer for about a year in Mr. Hooper's laboratory at the Indian Museum, and has proved an excellent assistant. It is this class of man that deserves most encouragement and likewise generally makes the best pLiblic servant; young men who are willing in the first instance to show that they are capable of doing useful work rather than to sit down and do nothing until a highly paid appointment turns up. Programme of Work for 1910-11. — 1. The work on the availability of plant food in soils will be continued, the immediate aim Toeing the more correct ascertainment of the composition of the aqueous solution in the soil. Included in this section of investigation are naturally the amounts of nitrate in soils and soil temperatures. 28 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 2. The investigation on soil moisture and water require- ments of plants is being continued on lines which have been sufficiently indicated in the memoirs. 3. A joint investigation with Mr. Burt, Deputy Director of Agriculture, United Provinces, is being con- ducted into the causes of infertility in a tract of land in the Mainpuri District. 4. The effect of soil and manure on the composition of crops is a branch of study which is engaging the attention of a number of investigators and is one on which I have already obtained some information. It will be developed, if possible, at Pusa during the coming year. 5. Two points in relation to the Indian saltpetre manu- facture, in respect of which it seems possible that an im- provement can be suggested, will be investigated. 6. Education. — This requires no special comment; it will be conducted according to the lines laid down. Publications. — The following papers have been pub- lished : — Memoir No. 8, "The Water Requirements of Crops in India" by Dr. J. Walter Leather. Memoir No. 9, " The Nature of the Colour of Black Cotton Soil " by Mr. H. E. Annett. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 29 REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL ENTOMOLOGIST, FOR THE YEAR 1909-10. (H. Maxwell-Lefroy, M.A, F.E.S., F.Z.S.) Charge and Establishment. — The Imperial Entomolo- gist held charge of the section during the year. The Supernumerary Entomologist, Mr. C. W. Mason, left the Department on December 19th and Mr. T. Bainbrigge- Fletcher, R.N., F.E.S., joined the Department as Super- numerary Entomologist on the 8th April. The first assistant, Mr. C. S. Misra, who has absent on privilege leave from the 4th May to the end of June, had charge of the students, of the field-work on the Pusa Farm and Botanical area and of the work with lac culture. Apart from the courses of lecturing given by the Imperial Entomo- logist personally, Mr. Misra has carried out the field and practical instruction of students, which he has done admirably, and also one of the two short courses of instruc- tion given in lac culture. The second assistant, Mr. C. C. Ghosh, has had charge of the insectory and carried out all inquiries conducted there. His work has been of the very greatest utility; he has also been able to prepare a Bens^ali revision of Indian Insect Pests which has been published. The third assistant, Mr. G. R. Dutt, who was absent on privilege leave from 1st November 1909 to 31st January 1910, has been in charge of economic records, correspondence and collections and has done original work on Aculeate Hymenoptera. In spite of his heavy routine work he has found time for both original enquiry and for the compiling for publication of a list of the vernacular names of insects, which is being published. Mr. D. Nowrojee has been in charge of the general collections and has done excellent work in their upkeep and arrangement. The post of Sericulture Assistant, which was filled up by Mr. L. M. Dass, is now held by Mr. R. R. Ghose. The Bengal Entomological Assistant worked in the laboratory for some 30 REPORT OF THE AGRICtLTTlRAL RESEARCH months, pending the provision of accommodation at Sabour; the artist staff of the Institute also worked under the direction of the Imperial Entomologist from September to January. The Baroda Entomological Assistant spent a fortnight in Pusa discussing his year's work and the programme for next year. Training. — The full course of Entomology was given to students from Madras, Central Provinces, Bengal and the United Provinces. It is to be regretted that no students have been sent for the course commencing on June 1st, 1910. A short training, as part of the course in general agriculture was given to a student from the Punjab. The short courses in Eri Silk cultivation have been taken up by 15 students from different parts of India and by boys sent by the United Provinces Agricultural Depart- ment. Irregular training in rearing has been given to a number of rearers from Indigo factories, zemindars, etc., who were taking up the industry. The courses in lac have been taken up by 10 students from Lucknow, Hyderabad, Bettiah, Dacca, Cuttack, Jullundur, Rajkot, Jodhpur and Gaya and three malis were trained for employment in lac- work in Behar. Provincial work. — The number of assistants employed in Entomological work in the Provincial Agricultural Departments is now 16 : 5 for teaching, 11 for field work. This number is wholly insufficient to bring the practical work of Entomology before the agricultural classes, but in the absence of Entomologists in the Provincial Depart- ments to direct their work, the number is not being increased. It is something that applied Entomology forms part of the course of training at five i^gricultural Colleges, but it is too much to expect eleven field-assistants to make any progress with showing how crop pests can be checked. As in previous years, the assistance offered in directing and checking the work of these assistants has been utilised by some provinces and the more technical work has been referred to Pusa, leaving the assistants free to do field work entirely. In Madras, the study of the destructive insects INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 31 has been continued on the lines laid down in 1906, and very substantial progress has been made; the pests have been carefully studied in almost every district and the prelimi- nary work of collecting information on the spot materially advanced. Good work has been done against the Hairy Caterpillar pest in South Aroot and against the Deccan Grass-hopper which appeared in the Northern Division. In Bombay, very successful work has been done against the Rice Grass-hopper; the Potato-moth and Deccan Grass- hopper are being worked at where they occur and the work should bear fruit this year. Proposals have been made for putting the Entomological work on a better footing and placing it under the general direction of the Imperial Entomologist as in other provinces. In the Central Pro- vinces, the success of the methods tried against Potato- moth has led to their adoption on a larger scale and a care- ful trial has been made of the trap-crop method of checking boll-worm of cotton on the farms. The cultiva- tion of Eri silk has been experimentally taken up at Multai and Chanda. An investigation into termites in Hoshan- gabad has been started with the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Northern Circle, and the general pests of the province are being investigated. In Bengal, and Eastern Bengal ana Assam, the general investigation of injurious insects has been continued; in the latter, the work against Potato-moth is likely to give good results. In the United Provinces, the work against the Cane Grass-hopper has been the principal item and the general investigation of injuri- ous insects has been continued. The cultivation of Eri silk has been experimentally taken up at Cawnpore. In the Punjab, sericulture and bee-keeping have been experi- mented with and the general crop pests of the province investigated. In Baroda, good work has been done in inducing cultivators to take an interest in and adopt measures against the Hairy Caterpillar, the boll-worm and the til stem-borer, in addition to the usual cases of insect pests reported from various crops. 32 REPORT OF THE AGRICULITJRAL RESEARCH In general, the provincial work is preliminary and directed to ascertaining what are the pests of the province and how far they are destructive. Only in Madras is the work so far advanced that an accurate statement of the crop-pests can be prepared and a reasonable estimate formed of the possibilities of developing the work. In almost all provinces, progress has been made in coping with crop-pests as they occur in serious outbreaks, but in almost all the work requires systematising on a permanent basis that will conduce to steady progress and eventual thoroughness. Much advance cannot be achieved while the present staff in the provinces is limited to eleven assistants and the direction of the work is in the hands of various officers in the Provincial Departments who have other work to do and who do not want additional staff to look after. Correspondence. — As in previous years, there has been a large volume of enquiries on all matters connected with insects; the enquiries connected with insects attacking crops have been mainly diverted to the Provincial Depart- ments, but a large mass of miscellaneous enquiries has been received and dealt with. A part of these are from official sources, exclusive of the correspondence with Provincial Agricultural Departments, but a large part also is from the general public; they deal with garden and fruit pests, household pests, insects in grain and timber, insects on domestic animals, insecticides, spraying machines and the identification of insects. The parcels of injurious insects sent in numbered 117. A total of 1,255 enquiries came from official and public sources and at least as many as^ain from planters and others in close touch with the section were answered demi-officially without record. The enquiries with regard to si'k numbered over 1,000 and there were many concerning bee-keeping and lac. So far as possible, these are answered by reference to publications, or bv the despatch of a leaflet or reprint but thev are of such wide ransre that a very large number must be answered fully and this occupies much time. I hold this work to be of very direct value and I believe every ennuiry has been fully and promptly met to the best of our ability. INSTITUTE AND CDXLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 33 Research. — Progress has been made with enquiry into the life histories and habits of injurious insects. The more important have been the Palm-weevil, and Rhino- ceros beetle, the Army worm, the Rice Swarming Cater- pillar, the Deccan Grass-hopper, the Wheat Stem-borer, the Pink Boll-worm, the Indigo Leaf-webber, the Dusky Cotton Bug, Wheat weevil, Rice grain moth. A more careful enquiry into the white ant problem has been com- menced partly at Pusa, partly at Hoshangabad in conjunc- tion with the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Northern Circle, Central Provinces. In collaboration with the Imperial Agricultural Chemist, the enquiry was continued into the relation between weevil and the percentage mois- ture of wheat. The enquiry into the food of birds by Mr. C. W. Mason was brought to a conclusion and the results will be published. The new insecticide was thoroughly tested and is now on sale. An increasing number of patent insecticides have been referred here for trial and report; these have been tested and, with the check afforded by the analysis of the Imperial Agricultural Chemist, reported on as to their value for Indian conditions. Only one has proved to be of any value for this country and, with this exception, the insecticides introduced by this Department are those at present in use; arrangements are made for their sale and we maintain a register of the places where both insecticides and all patterns of spraying machines can be purchased, so that enquirers can be at once referred to the proper places. Until private enterprise finds this business w^orth taking up, the trial of insecticides and sprayers must be done here and arrangements made for their sale. The question of apiculture is still being considered and further attempts are being made to deter- mine how far bees will thrive and be profitable in the plains. Sericulture. — The cultivation of Eri silk was continued and all processes to the production of the finished cloth carried on. Three weavers, an average of twelve spinners and cleaners, and about fifteen rearers are constantly 34 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH employed and we endeavour to produce every variety of cloth that is likely to be made of this material. The course of training was given to 19 persons, mainly those who wish themselves to take it up as an industry or the employees of those who are commencing the industry. The Pusa Continuous Spinning Machine was perfected and arrangements made for its sale. Assistance was given to the inventor, Mr. R. W. Coryton, of a very ingenious machine for cleaning the cocoons prior to spinning and this machine is now being sold. Every process from rearing the worms to weaving the cloth is being conducted in the silk house, so that visitors can see and quickly understand the whole process. The demand for seed has been very large (in one month 2^ million eggs were sent out) and arrangements were made for an exchange of seed between rearers in different parts of India, this section being the medium for effecting the exchange. Seed was supplied from Pusa to as many persons as possible, but the demand was far in excess of what ooufd be supplied. Many hundreds of persons have given a trial to the industry and while many have, for the present, stopped owing to the absence of any means of disposing of small quantities of cocoons, many are continuing successfully. No attempt was made by this section to popularise or to draw attention to this industry except in Tirhoot, with the sole exception of the publication of an article in the Agricultural Journal of India; yet hundreds of enquiries have come in, from every part of India except Assam, and it is evident that, if there was the organisation to help, advise and buy small lots of cocoons, the industry could be taken up on a very large scale, affording light remunerative work to women and children which they take to readily. In Tirhoot, an attempt was made to induce the Behar Indigo Concerns to serve as buying centres for the hundreds of small lots of cocoons that were being offered but this has failed. Many Tirhoot rearers are still carrying on the industry in order to make and sell cloth but at the commencement all small rearers} want to sell cocoons. The industry is establishing INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PFSA, FOR 1909-10. 35 itself, as centres for buying cocoons develop naturally and as the rearers take to making cloth. It is evident that the larger land-owners must take it up first and that the small cultivators cannot do so without some organisation to dispose of their products. It is also necessary at first to be in touch with Pusa or some other centre that can advise and help. The industry is most extensive at present in Tirhoot, Bhagalpur and Patna, the three divisions nearest to Pusa but is being tried also in Malabar, Dharwar, West Coast, Gujarat, Kathiawar, Sind, Patiala, Rohilkhand, Betul, Chanda and Murshidabad. The Salvation Army has also taken it up at Bangalore and elsewhere. Enquir- ies were made from silk spinning firms in England.. France, Switzerland and Japan as to the value of Eri silk cocoons for industrial use there; one Indian silk spinning mill is spinning Eri silk yarn of fine counts, which is being used for weaving in India; but until there is some organisation for collecting and selling large quantities of cocoons, the industrial uses of this material cannot be developed. In this question, we have had the assistance of Mr. Drieberg of the Ceylon Agricultural Society, who is interested in the same problem. Trials are being made at Pusa with hybrids between Attacus ricini, the Eri, and Attacus cynithia>, the wild form ; these are not encouraging but may yield a more robust race. The disease of Eri worms which is occasionally a serious and inexplicable factor, is being investigated in collaboration with the Imperial Agricul- tural Bacteriologist and trials are being made of the various varieties of castor for feeding the worms. Mulberry silk cultivation was continued mainly to determine how far it can be profitably taken up either to provide raw silk, or to supply cocoons. All available varie- ties have been collected at Pusa for hybridising. The rearing of the best Italian and French varieties has been very successful; the rearing of the ordinary Bengal varieties has shown that they are not worth cultivating in Behar, and the cultivation of a hybrid between the Euro- pean univoltine worms and the Bengal multivoltine is D % 36 REPORT OF 1 HE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH giving good results. The problem of increasing the supply of good cocoons for reeling is of very great importance and there is good reason to believe that very much better cocoons could be produced on a large scale if the industry were developed on the right lines. The experiments of the Bengal Silk Committee and those carried out at Pusa show that success is probable, but that it will take time and organisation to develop the supply and keep rearers on the right lines; failure in inevitable if the present Bengal varieties are cultivated as the silk is almost unsaleable and not worth growing and reeling in new localities. The present experimental work is very satisfactory and the very depressed condition of the silk industry fully justifies the employment of a proper staff to complete and develop these lines of improvement. Lac. — ^The cultivation of the lac-insect on Ber {Zizyplms Jujvha), Siris (Serissa glomeruta), etc., has been carried on as before and two short courses of train in £^ were given to ten students from Beno-al, Hyderabad (Deccan), the Puniab, the United Provinces, Kathiawar and Jodhpur, as well as to malis from factories in Tirhoot. Lac for seed was supplied to the Bombay and Baroda Departments of Agriculture, to a Court of Ward's Estate in Orissa and arran2!:ements have been completed for forwardino; the same to Formosa through the Japanese Consul at Bombay. The most important work of the past year was an enquiry into the races of the lac insect in collaboration with the Forest Department which sent in samples from all parts of India and Burma. The samples are being collected, arranf 1910 was early. The rainfall was somewhat small (about 33"), but very well distributed and, in spite of the loss of the crops on large areas of low-lying ground owing to the river rising to a level higher than any previously recorded and owing to the breach of a bund that had previously protected the farm, the crops provided an amount of silage very much greater than the requirements of the cattle for one year. Over 4 inches of rain fell in October, thus ensuring an ample supply of moisture for the greater part of the rahi season, and as the sowings were completed at an earlier date than in any previous year since the establishment of the farm, these crops obtained an exceptionally favourable start, which enabled them to give a very good yield in spite of the fact that no further appreciable quantity of rain fell before harvest. Rain also fell early in June 1911, and, owing again to the land having been thoroughly prepared beforehand, prac- tically all the crops were sown before the end of the month and give excellent promise. * This course has since been abolished as it has been found to seme no useful purpose. 22 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Cropping. — The greater part of the farm was, as usual, devoted to growing fodder and grain for the working bul- locks and the breeding herd. Maize, sorghum, oats, peas, khesari {Lathyrus), gram (Cicer) and arhaj' (Cajanus) were the principal crops grown for these purposes. The maize provided a large quantity of excellent silage ; that from the sorghum was not so good, much of it being decayed, and the right stage at which to cut this crop for siloing under the conditions obtaining here has yet to be ascertained. The oats provided a large amount of excellent feed both of grain and straw. The area of pulses grown was not, however, sufficient to make purchases of this class of food unnecessary. Much of the arhar was spoilt by the floods. A considerable area was, as usual, sown with Sann hemp for green manure. Guinea grass, growing on nearly 3 acres within the in- fluence of the bamboo avenues, gave over 300 maunds per acre of green fodder, with only two irrigations in the dry season; lucerne, with constant irrigation, gave over 200 maunds per acre. Other crops grown on a small scale were flax (which had to be destroyed because of the appearance of dodder) and paddy. Experiments with paddy were inconclusive, the difference between the yields of the plots not exceeding the margin attributable to error. The projected growth of varieties of wheat in extension of the work done by the Imperial Economic Botanist was abandoned. A large number of crops were grown, on small plots, under observation and for experiments carried on by the scientific officers. Soybeans, obtained from Nagpur, yielded nearly 7 maunds per acre, which is not sufficient to pay for the culti- vation and for the occupation of the land for two seasons. Permanent Manurial and Rotation Eocferirnents. — These were continued in accordance with the original scheme and the result recorded for future reference. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-1 i. iS Permanent Pasture. — The manurial experiments were abandoned this year. There seems to be no doubt whatever that the direction which the experiments on pasture here should take is that of ascertaining the extent to which sys- tematic grazing and extensive surface cultivation, com- bined possibly with the sowing of quick-growing catch crops, will enable land that cannot be economically used except as pasture to be maintained in a reasonably pro- ductive and profitable condition. The upland pasture is now ploughed up every three years and replanted with dooh, but the dooh does not look well on close examination even in the first year after planting, and disappears rapidly during the second year. A small part of the ploughed land has been sown with Sann-hemp this year for plough- ing in before planting the dooh. Thrashing. — A record was established in thrashing the oats this year, 241 maunds being thrashed in one day. The heavy yield of grain, amounting on one field to 33 maunds per acre, no doubt contributed to this result. Clearing and Levelling. — A large kiln was cleared from the former brick-field and a road across this area laid out and part constructed. Work-cattle. — The number of cattle in use has been in- creased by the breaking-in of young cattle, purchased, and supplied from the Montgomery herd. The Montgomery cattle are rather slow, but can pull heavy loads. Foot-and- mouth disease broke out among the working bullocks to- wards the end of the monsoon of 1910, but was checked and suppressed by prompt measures. Breeding Herd. — The Montgomery herd has been main- tained in excellent condition, and the numbers of cows and heifers increased during the year. Fifty-four cattle were sold and four transferred to the working cattle during the year. Only three animals died — less than 2 per cent., which is a very small percentage considering that the greater number of the cattle are cows and young calves. 24 REI»0RT OP THE AGillCULTURAL RESEARCH Sheep. — The Gorakhpur sheep have done well, and the cross between them and the Dumbha ram appears to be successful. P oultnj -breeding . — One or two of the varieties of ])oliI- try originally imported have proved failures, and others have been substituted for them. Indigenous varieties have been obtained and appear in some cases to be worth keeping. But the work cannot yet be said to be beyond the experi- mental stage. The distribution of eggs by post and rail has been discontinued, but a considerable number of fowls have been distributed to the provincial farms and sold to private persons. Programme of work for 1911-12. — 1. Cropping. — An endeavour will be made to bring the different areas of the farm under systematic rotations suited to each and to the requirements of the cattle. It is proposed to increase the proportion of leguminous crops, and, in view of the excess of fodder provided by the present cropping, to reintroduce revenue-producing crops such as wheat, oil-seeds and pos- sibly tobacco, on a small scale. 2. Pasture. — It is proposed to try simple experiments on the effect of surface cultivation and the sowing of leguminous catch crops on pastures. 3. Laying out. — The clearing of the former brick-field will be continued when time can be spared. The system- atic grading of the fields all over the estate towards the roads or drains, so as to prevent the accumulation of water in patches in the centre of the fields, will be kept parti- cularly in view. Steps will be taken to prevent erosion and " washing " during heavy rain in a few places where it now takes place. 4. Breeding-herd.— The improvement of the milking capacity of the Montgomery herd will continue to be the principal object in view. 5. Sheep. — The production of cross-bred sheep with a view to ascertaining the suitability of the Gorakhpur Dum- bha cross for nuitton production will be continued. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FUR 1910-11. 2S 6. Poultry. — Further trial will be given to some of the breeds already imported, the requirements of the provincial farms will be kept in view, and indigenous breeds will be further studied. The u umber of different breeds will probably be considerably reduced. 26 RErOBT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMIST FOR THE YEAR 1910-11. (J. Walter Leather, Ph.D., F.I.C.) Charge of Section and Estahlishrnent. — The section was in charge of myself during the entire year. Mr. H. E. Annett, Supernumerary Agricultural Chem- ist, acted as Agricultural Chemist, United Provinces, until 10th November 1910. He again went to Cawnpore on 24th June 1911 to act as Principal, Agricultural College. The changes involved during the year have been as fol- lows : — Babu Subodh Chandra Kar, M.A., the second assist- ant, died on 19th July 1910. Subodh Babu joined the establishment at Dehra Dun in 1902 as a volunteer assist- ant and gradually rose to the position of second assistant. He had shown unusual ability and would no doubt have risen to still higher office. His death was a very severe loss. Babu Jatindra Nath Mukerjee, B.A., B.Sc, the third assistant, has been appointed second assistant. Mr. Bhailal Motibhai Amin, B.A., who was promoted third assistant, has, during the year, been appointed on deputa- tion as assistant in the laboratory of the Behar Indigo Planters' Association. Mr. K. S. Vishwanatham, B.A., was selected by the Imperial Bacteriologist as his second assistant. Babu Adhar Krishna Bose was selected by the Scientific Officer, Indian Tea Association, as his assistant. The latter changes, although occasioning loss to the estah- lishment, must be considered in the light of a compliment to the section and fulfil one of its important functions. Other changes have been as follows : — Mr. G. K. Lele, L.Ag., Nagpur, was appointed a junior assistant in August 1910; Mr. D. K. Ambekar, M.A., had to resign his appointment in April on account of family reasons; Mr. R. C. Sohoni left at the end of his probationary period. Institute and college, pusa, for i9io-ii. 27 Meteorology. — In addition to the ordinary meteorolo- gical records, the record of evaporation, which was men- tioned in the last annual report, is being maintained. A record of soil temperatures has also been commenced dur- ing the year and will yield information as to diurnal and seasonal variations of temperature. Self-recording hygro- meter and barometer will also be set up. Most of the in- formation provided by these records will become im- mediately useful in connection with one or other investiga- tions at the Institute. Drainage Data. — These are being continued, and the first several years' records together with those of the Cawn- pore gauges have been written up for publication. Among the deductions which have been possible are the follow- ing : — {a) The amount of water draining away annually varies with the rainfall, it being large in wet years ; but the amount which evaporates from bare fallow soil is almost constant for any one place. At Cawnpore about 18'' of water thus evaporates per annum, at Pusa about 28"; the corresponding figure at Rothamsted is about 15". The ex- planation for the larger amount evaporating at Pusa than at Cawnpore probably lies chiefly in the nature of the soil, but this is a matter which remains to be demonstrated. ih) Drainage from cropped land is naturally affected by the extra factor — the crop — and the drainage data have yielded some very interesting information in regard to it. On the one hand a crop transpires large amounts of water; on the other its presence acts as a " shield " to the moisture of the surface soil preventing it, in a measure, from evaporating. Thus the crop introduces into the question two factors, which are mutually opposed to one another, and the amount of drainage occurring from cropped land will be greater (^r less according to the magnitude of their respective in- fluences. The effect of good crops growing on the Pusa and Cawnpore gauges has been to reduce direct evaporation to two-thirds or one-half of what the soil would have suffer- ed had no crop been present. How much this " protective " effect is, when converted into inches of water, naturally de- 28 KEPOUT OF THE AGlliCULTtJRAL RESEARCH pends on the season of the year. During the dry season the general loss from this cause is much less than during the monsoon ; hence the " protection " provided by a " rabi " crop will be generally much less than that of a " rains " crop; the former may be 2" or 3", the latter 7" or 8" of water, {c) The amount of water which runs off the land during heavy rain is known to vary within wide limits, and although the gauges have yielded some information on the subject, it relates to only one soil maintained perfectly level. No very explicit deductions are therefore possible, but the general conclusion has been drawn that perhaps popular ideas have exaggerated its amount. The Amount of ISIitrate in Soils. — This subject is one which has long been considered of great importance, and the drainage water from the gauges, as also some field re- cords, have added much to our knowledge of the subject in so far as India is concerned. The total amount annuallv formed in fallow land is very much greater — twice or three times — than at Rothamsted. Then another feature has appeared, namely, that nitrification is not active through- out the dry weather, that is in fallow land — not irrigated; absence of moisture in the surface soil during a part of this period might be a controlling factor, but it is not a complete explanation, because the sub-soil is always moist, and here nitrification is similarly restricted to the monsoon. Nor does the variation of temperature offer any better ex- planation. With the advent of the monsoon, however, nitrates form with astonishing rapidity, the occurrence being most marked immediately after the first heavy ram. This investigation promises to prove of great interest. The Water Requirernents of Crops. — Allusion has been made in previous reports to this subject, and a second memoir, No. 10, Chemical Series, has been published. In continuation of what was published in Memoir No. 8, it has been found that the nature of the soil has no effect on the Transpiration Ratio; at the same time this factor has a great influence on the rate of water movement, and hence indirectly on the weight of crop produced. Field experi- INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 29 ments over several years have shown that practically the whole of the water assimilated by a crop is obtained within the root range, some 6 to 7 ft. in alluvial soil, and that al- though the stores of water present below this depth are very great, they are substantially of no service to the plant. The field experiments were at the same time utilised to check the values of the Transpiration Ratios which had been found by pot-culture methods. The two methods yielded very similar values for this factor. The investigation into the availability of flant food in soils is being continued, but many difficulties have been met with, and its progress is slow. TJsar Land. — Reference was made to this subject in the last report, and the work has been extended. The first in- vestigation had to do with a certain stretch of land in the Mainpuri District, and a very exhaustive series of tests showed that this class of usar land not only contains sodium carbonate, but is also highly impervious to water. The amount of movement of water, whether in the downward direction during wet weather, or towards the surface dur- ing the dry period, is thus necessarily only small; conse- quently also there cannot be any large amount of movement of salts. Experiments made at Pusa on this soil have shown that by the application of common salt its physical state can be altered and the salts washed out. Rice was grown on some of it last year and is now growing again, but the method is, I fear, not financially feasible. In other ex- periments also made by pot-culture at Pusa, the physical defect (imperviousness) was separated from the chemical defect (alkali salts) and then plants sown. It was then found that of the two the alkali was the more pernicious. During the past cold weather the investigation has been continued in another direction in collaboration with the Irrigation Department. One of the features of this alkali land is frequently the occurrence of " alkali spots " in the middle of fields otherwise quite fertile. It has been fre- quently argued that these result from the presence of 30 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH canals and excessive irrigation. The fact that the intro- duction of a canal is accompanied by a rise of the sub-soil water level has lent support to the argument. The two features are, however, distinct, and it certainly does not necessarily follow that they are related. We have some soil, taken from fertile land in the immediate neighbour- hood of alkali spots under observation; it is maintained fallow with an artificial sub-soil water-supply at 2 ft. from the surface, and the experiment should show whether it will thereby become " alkali." But the work of the past cold weather dealt with an- other aspect of this question. It is not only in canal-irri- gated areas that " alkali spots " Ciccur in cultivated fields ; they are to be found in well-irrigated tracts also. It was decided, in consultation with the Director of Agriculture and the Superintending Engineer, to take samples from a series of such " alkali spots " situated {a) within a canal- irrigated tract, and {h) within a neighbouring well-irri- gated tract, and to compare them by means of such methods as we at present possess. A suitable tract of country was found in the Muttra and Etah Districts. In the Sadabad (Muttra) and western part of Jalesar (Etah) parganas is a tract of country under well-irrigation, and alkali spots occur in many of the fields; thirty such alkali spots were sampled to a depth of 9 ft., excepting in cases where the kankar was too hard to drill throusrh. In the eastern half of pargana Jalesar the irrigation is principally from the Etawah branch, Ganges canal, and in this tract twenty- nine alkali spots were similarly sampled to a depth of 9 ft. In each case a separate sample of every succeeding 6" was taken, and the whole of the specimens are now under ex- amination. The first tract named is particularly suitable because although it has always depended on well-irrigation, the new Hathras branch of the Ganges canal is under con- struction, and the tract will hence shortly come under the influence of canal irrigation. All the fifty-nine alkali spots have been registered, mapped to show the approxi- mate area, and the exact position of the boring, from which INSTITUTE AND C0LLEC4E, PFSA, FOR 1910-11. 31 the sample was taken in February, registered by means of distance and direction from a stone bench-mark especially put down on the field border. We shall thus not only have the results of the comparative tests of the present year, but it will be possible to form a very exact opinion at a future time, say ten or fifteen years hence, as to whether the intro- duction of canal irrigation has caused either an increase of the area of these '"' alkali spots '' or any increase in the per- centage of " alkali " in the soil. The tests of the soil of ex- perimental plots near Aligarh which were referred to in last year's report showed that the only really effective means which had been tried was gypsum, and in that case the cost had been prohibitive. The land which Mr. Keven- ter has reclaimed was especially interesting. By the ap- plication of very large amounts of manure and liberal irri- gation, crops have been grown for a number of years on some very bad alkali land. But the samples taken to a depth of 9 ft. showed that the result of the treatment had been to reclaim only the top foot of soil, and that below this layer, the soil is as bad as it was originally. The crops subsist in fact on the liberal manure supply of the top soil and can even then only succeed by the aid of frequent irri- gation. Date Palm. — Immediately after his return from Cawn- pore, Mr. H. E. Annett took up, at my suggestion, the gen- eral investigation of the Date Palm Sugar industry. Hitherto nothing had been done in relation to the chemis- try involved in this industry, and it is obviously desirable that this omission should be rectified. Mr. Annett toured twice in the Jessore District, which is one of the principal centres, and carried out a series of analyses of the juice on the spot and later on of raw sugar at Pusa, besides collect- ing much valuable information in regard to the methods which are employed. The work will be continued on Mr. Annett's return from Cawnpore. Saltfetre. — During the year an attempt has been made to work out the practical details of an improved method of refining crude saltpetre which had occurred to me some 32 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTTTRAL RESEARCH years ago as possibly feasible. The chief defects of the present methods are (i) the considerable time required in order to obtain the refined product, (ii) the amount of fuel used is greater than it should be, (iii) a serious loss of nitrate occurs, (iv) much of the refined saltpetre is of low quality, (v) the colour of the refined saltpetre is often brown instead of white, (vi) refining is often interrupted during the rains period. After working on a laboratory scale, an apparatus was constructed which would deal with a maund of crude salt- petre per charge, and this was worked daily at the Allaha- iDad Exhibition. It was in charge of Babu Jatindra Nath Mukerjee, who has carried out the whole of the experi- mental work connected with the process. The process is successful in largely eliminating the defects enumerated; nearly nine-tenths of the potassium nitrate in the crude saltpetre is obtained during the day as a white refined saltpetre of over 90 per cent, purity; no water has to be evaporated, and the process is independent of the weather. The other fraction of the potassium nitrate, which is not ob- tained by this process, remains in the muds and can be ex- tracted by present methods. The process created a great deal of interest among the refiners who visited the Exhibition, but there is naturally a considerable difference between entertaining an interest and actually replacing the present methods by a somewhat costly machine, and no definite opinion can be formed as to whether the new process will be adopted until it has been tried on a reasonably large scale, so as to form an accurate idea of the actual cost of working it. A proposal is at pre- sent under consideration to erect the plant at a refinery in Behar. A Bulletin has also been written on the subject. Education. — There are two students from the United Provinces and Bengal, respectively, at present undergoing training, and another is to come from Travancore State. There are also two probationary assistants who have re- cently joined this section, who are in the position of stu- dents. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 33 Programme of work jor 1911-12. — 1. The work on the availability of plant food in soils will be continued. 2. In relation to moisture requirements of crops, the current work has to do with the moisture conditions neces- sary to a green manure crop. 3. The investigation on Usar will be continued on the lines indicated in the body of this report. 4. The chemistry and manufacture of Date Palm Sugar will be investigated by the Supernumerary Agricultural Chemist. 5. Improvements in the refining of saltpetre will con- tinue to be studied. 6. Education. — This requires no special comment and will be conducted according; to the lines laid down. Publications. — The following papers have been pub- lished : — Memoir No. 10, '' Tbe Water Eequirements of Crops in Indio — II," by Dr. T. Walter Leather, Tune 1911. Bulletin No. 24, ''The Indian Saltpetre Industry," by Dr. J. A¥alter Leather and Babu Jatindra Nath Mukerji, August 1911. " Sugar-cane in India," published in the Agricultural Journal of India, Vol. YI, Part III, by Dr. J. Walter Leather. '' Chapter on Industrial and Agricultural Chemistry " for the Report of Board of Scientific Advice, by Mr. D, Hooper and Dr. J. Walter Leather, Kr09-10. " The Loss of Water from Soils during Dry Weather." Re- port of the Seventh International Congress of Applied Chemistry, by Dr. J. Walter Leather, 1911. " The Transpiration of Water by Plants in the Tropics." Report of the Seventh International Congress of Applied Chemistry, by Dr. J. Walter Leather, 1911. " The Effect of Manure on the Composition of the Grain of Field Crops." Report of the Seventh International Con- gress of Applied Chemistry, by Dr. J. Walter Tieather, 1911. D 34 REPOET OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL ECONOMIC BOTANIST FOR THE YEAR 1910-11. (A. Howard, M.A, A.R.C.S., F.L.S.) Part I. Teaching, Training and Staff. Charge. — I held charge of the section during the year under review except for the first 28 days of July when I was on privilege leave and on special duty in England. Up to the end of July Maulvi Abdur Rahman Khan, Second Assistant, was in charge of the section. During my deputation to the Kashmir State in August and September 1910, he was also in charge of the current work at Pusa. In consequence of the satisfactory manner in which this assistant carried out his duties during five months in my absence in 1910, his services were rewarded by the grant of a special charge allowance for the whole period in question. Studerkts. — Four short course students attended the sec- tion during the year. Three of these worked well, es- pecially the two sent from the Lushai Hills by Major Cole, Staff. — In addition to the work done by my second assistant, Maulvi Abdur Rahman Khan, during my absence from Pusa in 1910, which has already been referred to, I have pleasure in recording the promising work of this assistant in Economic Botany. The third assistant, Mun- shi Ijaz Husain, who was in charge of current duties at Pusa on two occasions for short periods, has also improved in his work and made himself useful in connection with the tobacco-curing experiments. The work of the rest of the staff was satisfactory. Part II. Special Work in England. To enable me to complete the work referred to in this section my privilege leave was extended by 17 days to d. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 35 period of three months. During this time the work done was the following : — Wheat. — One of the directions in which the improve- ment of Indian wheat has been attempted at Pusa has been the increase in rnst-resisting power of the kinds at present in cultivation in the plains. This is a subject which has on several previous occasions occupied the attention of the Government of India, but little or no results of practical value have been obtained in the past. It was found at Pusa and at Lyallpur that although the types at present in cultivation differ considerably in rust-resisting power, and that in consequence a considerable improvement in this character is possible by simple isolation methods, neverthe- less India does not possess any wheats with the same power of withstanding rust as is shown by many of the wheats of Northern Europe, and especially by American Club. The quality of resistance of the best Indian wheats is of quite a lower order than that possessed by the wheats grown under the more adverse climatic conditions of the North Temperate Zone. This is seen not only when the two classes are grown side by side in India, but also when they are cultivated together in England. One of the directions, therefore, in which improvement might be attempted was, in the light of the work already done at Cambridge on the inheritance of rust resistance in wheat, the production of new kinds by hybridization between Indian wheats and some rust-resistant forms from Northern Europe or America. Attempts to carry this out in practice at Pusa failed on account of the impossibility of getting the rust- resisting parents to flower in time for crossing to be done and for the resulting grain to ripen before the hot weather set in. This difficulty was overcome by sending the Indian parents to Cambridge for spring sowing in 1910 and by carrying out the actual hybridization work in England. Thanks to the facilities given by Professor Biffen at Cam- bridge, crosses were made by us between various Indian types and American Club and other rust-resistant wheats at Cambridge, and the first generation of the hybrids was 36 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH grown at Pusa during the past wheat season. A duplicate set of these seeds was also successfully grown for us at the Cawnpore Experiment Station by Mr. H. Martin Leake, Economic Botanist to the Government of the United Provinces. Now that the difficulty of growing the first generation in India has been overcome, it is expected that among the progeny of these crosses wheats will be isolated of much greater rust-resistance than any of the types now grown in India. The work will be pushed on as rapidly as ])nssible, and it is hoped before very long to have the results on a field scale. Advantage was taken of my visit to England to consult with Mr. A. E. Humphries, Past President of the Incor- porated National Association of British and Irish Millers, on many matters connected with the milling and baking qualities of Indian wheat and to go over in detail the samples sent to England for testing in 1910. I obtained a large amount of valuable technical information on the quality of wheat and also took full opportunity of discuss- ing in detail the lines of future work on the improvement of Indian wheat. I consider Pusa has been exceedingly fortunate in securing for the milling and baking tests not only the invaluable assistance of an authority of the stand- ing of Mr. Humphries in the wheat trade, but also his active interest in the work of improving the crop in India. T consider it will be far better in every way to continue to have the final tests of Indian wheats done in England than to attempt to carry out the work at Pusa under laboratory conditions. Results obtained under such circumstances in India will never carry the same weight as the opinion of the best available expert in the milling and baking trade. In order to compare the appearance of the new Pusa wheats with those now on the market from various parts of the world, I visited Mark Lane with Mr. Humphries and the Liverpool Corn Exchange with Mr. Broomhall, the pro- prietor of the Corn-Trade News and Milling. It was acknowledged that there were no wheats on the market superior in combined appearance, quality and condition to LNSTlTLTE AND CULLEiJE, TUSA, Full iUiO-li. 37 the best Pusa wheats. As far as quality only is concerned, Indian wheats are somewhat inferior to Manitobas, but in their greater dryness and in the greater thinness of the skin our best Pusa wheats at least make up for their slight lack of quality. As wheats are sold entirely on the appear- ance of the samples taken from the ships, it is of the great- est importance to the Indian wheat trade to keep the various grades of Indian wheats separate and not to mix red and white, hard and soft wheats in the same sample. This lowers the price that would otherwise be obtained, while adulteration with earth and other seeds does still greater harm. I saw several good samples of Indian hard white wheat at Mark Lane entirely spoiled by admixture with soft white and red wheat and with dirt and other seeds. A great work remains to be done in teaching the Indian cultivator the great importance of quality, uniformity and appearance in the wheat grown for sale in Europe. In Liverpool, the Pusa wheats were greatly admired and were shown to a meeting of Liverpool millers by Mr. Broomhall, who, in returning the samples to me in London, wrote : " I have just sent you back the samples you left with me. I have shown them to several of our millers who have greatly admired them. The wheat appears equal in value to the best Manitoba." (Letter dated July 8th, 1910.) While at Liverpool the opportunity was taken of visit- ing the large new Grain Elevator recently erected by the Liverpool Grain Storage and Transit Company, which em- bodies all the latest American and Canadian improvements in construction. Tobacco. — In connection with the work in progress at Pusa on the improvement of Indian tobacco, arrangements were made with one of the Directors of the Imperial Tobacco Company in London to visit two of the best fac- tories in London to see the types of leaf made use of in England. These visits were of the greatest use, and some of the information obtained was applied in the tobacco- curing experiments at Pusa during the past year. 38 _ REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Hofs.—ln anticipation of my deputation to Kashmir to advise the Durbar on the improvement of the hop indus- try in that State, three visits were paid to Kent to see the latest forms of hop-drying oasts and the developments which have taken place in hop growing during the last five years. The information obtained was made use of in my subsequent visit to Kashmir. Fruit 'packing. — In connection with the proposals for developing the fruit industry of Baluchistan then under the consideration of the Secretary of State, some time was devoted to studying the methods of packing and trans- porting fresh fruit both in use in England and also em- ployed by the various countries which export fruit to Lon- don. Very valuable information was obtained which will be of considerable use in working out the best methods of sending fresh fruit from Baluchistan to India. By a for- tunate circumstance I got in touch with one of the Direc- tors of the largest company in Great Britain engaged in the manufacture of fruit packages on the American sys- tem, and in consequence have had no difficulty in importing into Baluchistan a large selection of model packages and packing materials for use in the experiments of the present year. A study of the methods of packing used for transport- ing fruit from France, the Channel Islands and South Africa to London shows how backward India is in this res- pect and what great improvements are necessary in this country. Part III. The Hop Industry in Kashmir. In accordance with the orders of the Government of India the months of August and September 1910 were spent on deputation in Kashmir for the purpose of advising the Durbar as to the best means of extending and improving the hop industry. A detailed report on this subject was submitted, which was afterwards printed by the State. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 39 At present hop growing in Kashmir is in a very primi- tive condition, the average yield of sun-dried hops being less than 2^ cwt. to the acre, or one-fifth the average yield of Kent. In spite of this, however, the net profits are very great, and for the last sixteen years have averaged about 130 per cent, or over £7 an acre. The natural advantages possessed by Kashmir as a pos- sible competitor in the world's hop production are consider- able. Labour is cheap, plentiful, easily trained and easily managed. The soil of considerable areas of the valley is suitable for hops, while irrigation water is abundant, should it be found necessary to supplement the rainfall. Insect and fungoid pests are almost entirely absent, while the cost of transport to India is likely to be much cheaper as soon as the rope railway to Jammu is completed. These advant- ages, however, are not likely to be utilised to the full unless the Durbar decides to take the necessary steps to place the industry on modern lines. In the details of cultivation, irrigation, training, pick- ing and drying there is great room for improvement, and it was a great surprise to me to find that even a crop of 2^ cwt. of saleable hops could be produced under present condi- tions. The cultivation of the crop is exceedingly defective, and a large amount of moisture is lost by the dense growth of grass and weeds and the absence of a surface mulch. This necessitates surface irrigation and the consequent hardening of the land and loss of tilth. Beyond the provi- sion of single poles there are no attempts at training, so that there is insufiicient space for the free development of bine and hops. The drying is done on sheets in the sun, and during this process the hops are a good deal broken, and a large amount of lupulin is lost. In my report an attempt was made not only to present the scientific principles which underlie modern hop produc- tion, but also to indicate the improvements which are pos- sible if it is decided to continue the industry on the present lines. In addition the steps were indicated that would be necessary if hop growing in Kashmir is to be placed on 40 REPORT Ul THJi AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH modern lines and if Kashmir is to enter the markets of the world as a competitor with California. In addition to the work on hops two other matters were dealt with in Kashmir at the request of the Revenue Minis- ter. The first was an investigation into the wine industry, which is carried on by the State near Srinagar, and the second related to a general scheme for the improvement of the agricultural and horticultural industries of the State. In the case of wine industry, I recommended that this should be given up and the past expenditure in this direc- tion regarded as a bad debt. As regards the development of the agricultural industries of the State, I drew up a detailed scheme in which many directions of improvement were indicated, and in which I recommended the amalga- mation of the present agricultural and allied efforts of the State into one strong department under a competent Euro- pean officer with the necessary experience. Time did not permit me to make all the necessary enquiries into a fourth subject on which my advice was asked for by the Revenue Minister and by the Minister for Education. This related to the introduction of Agricultural Education into the State, on which no useful suggestions could be made without first of all going into the present educational system as a whole. Part IV. The UeDeloynhetit of the Fruit Industry oj Baluchistan. The proposals put forward by this section in 1909 for the development of the fruit industry of Baluchistan were, during the year under review, finally sanctioned by the Secretary of State, and work was commenced at Quetta in May of the present year. This extension of the work of the section has necessarily involved not only some re- organisation of the work at Pusa, but also an extension of the staff. The Pusa work both in training and investi- gation is now in great measure limited to rabi crops, there- by allowing the months May to September to be devoted to Institute and college, ruiSA, t'oR i9io-ii. 4i fruit work in Baluchistan. The staff has been strength- ened by the addition of a new appointment, that of Per- sonal Assistant, which was given to a candidate who had worked in this section for nearly five years previously as a volunteer. During the months May and June of the present year the lines of future work on the fruit industry of the Pro- vince have been worked out in detail, and a scheme has been put forward \vhich has been accepted by the Local Govern- ment. This falls into three parts. In the first place, a modern fruit experiment station will be started for the purpose both of demonstrating improved methods of producing and transporting fruit and also of affording facilities for further experiments likely to be of practical value to the country. One of the features of the new experiment station will be a nursery in which the best varieties will be propagated in large number for distribution to the zemin- dars. In the second place, a neglected fruit garden will be taken in hand, and methods of renovation will be com- menced this year. Thirdly, steps are being taken to work out the most suitable methods of grading, packing and transporting fruit so as to make the most use of the present facilities for railway transport to India. The country round Quetta has been explored, and a suitable site for the new experiment station has been selected, and steps have been taken by the local Govern- ment to acquire the land. The Honourable Colonel Ram- say, CLE., Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan, who has strongly supported the scheme from the beginning, has placed a large fruit garden at my disposal for the re- novation experiment. It is hoped that a beginning will be made with the packing experiments during the present year, and the necessary buildings for the fruit experimeat station will be erected by September next. In the preliminary work involved in the scheme I have been greatly assisted by the Political Officers stationed at Quetta. Mr. H. R. C. Dubbs, LC.S., CLE., Ofhciatiag 4_' REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Revenue and Judicial Commissioner in Baluchistan, has furthered the scheme in every way possible, while I am greatly indebted to Colonel McConaghey, Political Agent, Quetta-Pishin, and to Captain Keyes, Assistant Political Agent, Quetta, for the ready manner in which they have placed their wide knowledge of the country and of the people at my disposal. Part V. Investigations. Wheat. — During the past year the Pusa wheat experi- ments have been extended in several directions, and results of great value have been obtained. Seed Distribution.— A beginning was made during the year at several centres in the growth of Pusa wheats for seed distribution purposes. In Behar two planters volun- teered to take up the work in 1910, and in both cases the yields obtained were far in excess of those obtained by the people with the local wheats. The seed thus obtained has been widely distributed to other planters, with the result that over 1,000 acres of the new wheats will be sown next October in Behar at a large number of centres. Over 100 maunds of surplus seed grown in the botanical area at Pusa was distributed last April in Behar alone, the demand greatly exceeding the supply. In the Central Provinces some of the early Pusa varieties were grown by Mr. Clous- ton, Deputy Director of Agriculture, at the Raipur Farm on a fairly large scale. Both in yield and quality these wheats proved superior to the large collection of other In- dian wheats grown there. A further supply of other rapidly maturing wheats was accordingly sent to Raipur last April, and the best of these will be grown on a large scale by Mr. Clouston for distribution, mainly in the Chat- tisgarh Division. Incidentally the wheat experiments at Raipur during the past season indicate that organic matter in the right condition is the limiting factor in wheat pro- duction in this tract. This matter is being taken up by INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 4.3 Mr. Cloiiston, and when the best method <^f enriching the soil by green manuring has been worked out I feel confident that wheat growing in this and similar tracts will at once be placed on a higher plane. In consequence of the satis- factory results obtained at Raipur, arrangements have been made with Mr. Evans at Hoshangabad for the trial of one of the earliest of Pusa wheats at that station. In the United Provinces the methods of cultivation of wheats which have proved successful at Pusa were tried on a large scale in the botanical area at Cawnpore by Mr. H. Martin Leake, Economic Botanist to the Government of the United Provinces. Both in yield and appearance of the grain the results obtained were very much better than those realised in the district. The Cawnpore results are particularly valuable, as they indicate the possibility of growing large yields of wheat of high quality under canal irrigation. At the Aligarh experiment station Dr. Parr, Deputy Director of Agriculture, United Provinces, obtained very high yields with one of the Pusa selections and has arranged for ex- tended trials of this wheat in his circle during the next year. Arrangements for the trials of Pusa wheats next year have been made at Mirpurkhas in Sind and in the Punjab at Lyallpur and Gurdaspur. A considerable demand for the new wheats has arisen from Australia in consequence of the satisfactory behavi- our of the Indian samples grown there in 1909. In the same year a small sample of Pusa 6 was tried in Hungary with the result that 16 maunds of this variety were asked for by and supplied to the Minister of Agriculture of Austria-Hungary m April last. One result of the wheat investigations, which is of consi- derable importance to India and to the future policy of the Agricultural Department, deserves special notice. This is the value of the variety of a crop when it stands alone. It is sometimes thought that in the case of crops improved varieties can be produced of such excellence that when dis- tributed to cultivators greatly improved yields will result, no matter what the methods of cultivation adopted by the 44 REPOR'r OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH , people may be. A little consideration will show that these expectations are bound to result in disappointment as they entirely disregard the fact that two of the limiting factors in crop production in India are the methods of cultivation and moisture conservation adopted. Inadequate prepar- ation for any crop and insufficient moisture cut across the real yielding power of varieties and tend to bring them to the same level. Optimum yields of the varieties and there- fore true comparisons in yielding power are only possible if the limiting factors of bad cultivation and poor mois- ture conservation are removed. The full benefit of im- proved varieties, and especially those of high quality, can only be realised if cultivation is good and moisture is ade- quate. It is suggested that in all seed distribution schemes in India due attention should be paid to the prime import- ance of cultivation and moisture conservation as well as to the value of improved varieties. That it is possible to ob- tain greatly increased yields using only the means now possessed by the cultivators has been abundantly proved by the results obtained in the botanical area at Pusa during the last three years. Trade Aspects. — Advantage was taken during the year of several opportunities of bringing the results of the wheat experiments to the notice both of the trade and of those interested in the cultivation of the crop. Everywhere the greatest surprise was expressed that wheats like those shown could be grown in India. In Karachi and Calcutta I ascertained from the leading wheat merchants that nj difficulties are likely to be experienced by the growers in disposing (with considerable advantage to themselves) of uniform parcels of wheat of high quality. It is essential, however, that the quantities should be large and that the grades should be maintained from year to year. In Bom- bay a paper was read on the Pusa wheat experiments in the rooms of the Bombay Natural History Society, at which most of the wheat merchants attended, and at which an exhibit of the new wheats was shoAvn. At the Allahabad Agricultural Conference I opened the discussion on wheat, INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 46 and as a result an extended trial of improved wheats and of improved methods of cultivation was arranged on some of the Court of Wards Estates. At the meeting of the Behar Planters' Association in February 1911 an ac- count was given of the improved methods of wheat grow- ing at Pusa which will be tried at a good many centres in Behar next year. Unfortunately, however, the demand for seed which arose after the meeting was far greater than the supply. Milling and Baking Tests. — The most interesting point with regard to the milling and baking tests of Indian wheats during the past year is concerned with the quality of the new wheats raised at Pusa by hybridizing high yield- ing Indian wheats of poor quality (Muzaffernagar white and Punjab Type 9) with types of high grain quality but of lower yield. The results obtained show that the pro- blem of combining high yield and high quality has been solved, the new wheats behaving in the mill and bakehouse like the high quality parent. A bulletin summing up the present position of this aspect of the subject and giving the results of 1910 in detail has been published. In response to numerous requests a full account of the actual methods adopted at Pusa in growing the crop has also been included. Translations in Urdu and Hindi of this paper have been prepared during the year by members of the staff. Influence of the Environment on Quality. — The experi- ments on this subject which are being conducted in colla- boration with Mr. H. Martin Leake, Economic Botanist to the Government of the United Provinces, were greatly ex- tended during the year, and a large number of samples have been forwarded to England for complete milling and bak- ing tests. It is expected that the results will confirm the opinion previously expressed that high quality and high yield both depend on proper cultivation and on proper soil management previous to sowing time. Tobacco. — A considerable amount of progress has been obtained during the year in the tobacco experiments. 46 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Manuring. — It has been found at Pusa that the success of this crop in Behar depends on the rapidity of growth during October and November, and that this rapid growth is only possible provided a large supply of organic manure in the right condition is added to the soil. It is usual to use indigo seeth, oilcake and cattle manure for this pur- pose, but the application of these substances in sufficient quantity is a costly process. In 1909 it was found that green manuring with san, if carried out in good time so as to allow of a thorough incorporation with the soil, was not only as effective as the organic manures usually employed but also far cheaper. During the present year the results were repeated, and trials of the same varieties with seeth, san, cattle manure and oilcake were made. Both in yield and quality of cured leaf the results with san were entirely satisfactory, and accordingly the Pusa results have been brought to the notice of planters interested in tobacco grow- ing in Behar, and extensive trials with san are now being made in the district. As in wheat growing it has been found at Pusa that attention to the details of cultivation and mois- ture conservation are of the greatest importance in tobacco cultivation. About 34 maunds of cured leaf (omitting the lower portions of the stalk usually included in Behar) were obtained to the acre at Pusa last year — a yield greatly in excess of the crops in the neighbourhood. Curin?.— Results of considerable promise have been obtained in the curing experiments which are being conducted in collaboration with the Peninsular Tobacco Company at Monghyr. The varieties used were both Ameri- can, and also the most promising of the Pusa selections, and the method adopted was a modification of that usually employed by the people. Under the conditions of the ex- periment the Indian tobacco gave better results than the American, and one of the Pusa selections gave leaf of con- siderable promise. The experiments are being continued on a large scale. Breeding. — Both in Nicotiana tahcum and in Nico- tiana rmstica considera])le progress has been made by the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 47 Personal Assistant in the investigation of the inheritance of characters in this crop which, as was expected, has turned out to be a somewhat complex subject. The object of this work is to discover the mode of inheritance of the various leaf characters in particular so that new and improved varieties can be made by hybridization. Practi- cally nothing is known on this subject, and the scientific breeding of tobacco is still in its infancy. Fibres. — San {Crotalaria juncea, L.). — Several new varieties of this crop have been isolated during the year, and interesting results have been obtained with this crop as a green manure. These are being repeated during the next cold weather at Pusa. Patwa (^'Hibiscus Cannabinus, L.). — A paper on this crop in India is now about to appear in which the work done during the past four years at Pusa is summed up. Natural cross- fertilization takes place in this crop to a considerable extent, but it has been found possible to eliminate to a great extent the effects of this by removing the hybrids during the seedling and vegetative stages. Possibly these methods can be extended to other Indian crops in which crossing takes place and can be made use of on seed farms. Pollination. — The importance of a close study of the methods of pollination in the crops of India and the bear- ing of these matters on the growth of seed for distribution to the cultivators in India were dealt with in a memoir published during the year. This matter was referred to in the previous annual report. The paper in question has attracted a good deal of attention, and the subject has been developed still further during the year. Natural cross- fertilization has been found to occur in til {Sesamum indi- cum), rahar (Cajcmus indicus), niger {Guizotia Abyssinica) and in Jute {Cor chorus capsularis). Some progress was made during the year in working out the pollination details in the various oil-seed crops grown in India. Programme of work for 1911-12. — 1. Training. — The training of advanced students in this section will be con- tinued, 48 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTT'RAL RESEARCH 2. Plant Breeding and Plant Improvement. — During 1911-12 the following crops will be studied: — wheat, tobacco, oil-seeds and fibre plants. (a) Wheat. — The botanical survey of the wheats of Baluchistan and the agricultural survey of the wheats of Bengal will be completed. The pro- duction of improved and rust-resistant varie- ties by selection and hybridization will be con- tinued. The co-operative experiments on the influence of the environment on the milling and baking qualities of Indian wheats which are being conducted in collaboration with Mr. H. Martin Leake, Economic Botanist to the Gov- ernment of the United Provinces, will be con- tinued on an extended basis. (h) Tohacco. — The production of new varieties by selection and hybridization will be continued as well as the testing and curing of the varieties already isolated. The investigations on the in- fluence of the environment on the stability of the type and quality will be continued. {(•) Oil-seeds. — The study of the oil-seeds of India will be continued on similar lines to those adopted in the investigations on wheat. {d) Fibres. — The isolation and testing of pure races of the fibre plants of India will be continued. {e) Fruit. — The fruit experiments at Pusa will be con- tinued on the lines laid down in the First Fruit Report. During the months May to Septem- ber, the work connected with the development of the fruit industry of Baluchistan will be commenced. Publications. — The large amount of work that had to be got through during the past year has delayed the publi- cation of results, but it is hoped this will be disposed of during the next year. INSTITTTTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 49 A fifth volume of Die Zilchtimg der landwirtschaft- Iklien Kidtur-P flanzen dealing with the l)reediiig of tro- pieal plants is now being published by Messrs. Paul Parey of Berlin under the editorship of Professor Dr. C. Fruwirth of Vienna. I accepted the invitation to contribute the articles on the following crops : — • Jute {Cor chorus ca^psularis and Corcliorus olitorius), til (Sesanmm indicuni), patwa {Hihiscus cannahinus), rozelle {Hihiscus Sahdariffa) and san {Crotalaria jnncea), and papers on these have been forwarded to Vienna. In addition the following papers have been published during the year : — 1. Suggestions for the Development of the Hop Industry of Kashmir. (Printed by the Kashmir State for official use.) 2. The Milling and Baking Qualities of Indian Wheats, No. 3. Some new Pusa Hybrids tested in 1910. Pusa Bulletin 22 (with G. L. C. Howard). 3. The Economic Significance of Natural Cross-fertilization in India. Memoirs of the Department of Agriculture of India (Botanical Series), Yol. Ill, No. 6 (with G. L. C. Howard and Abdur Hahman Khan). 4. Studies in Indian Fibre Plants, No. 2. On some new varie- ties of Hibiscus cannahinus, L., and Hihiscus Sahdariffa, L. Memoirs of the Department of Agriculture in India (Botanical Series,), Vol. lY, No. 2 (with G. L. C. Howard). 5. Beport on Economic Botany for the year ending June 30th, 1910. Printed in the Eeport of the Board of Scientific Advice, 1911. E 50 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL MYCOLOGIST FOR THE YEAR 1910- 1 L (E. J. Butler, MJ3., F.L.S.) 1. Chargp and Estahli^hment. — I remained in charge of the section throughout the year. Mr. F. J. F. Shaw held the post of Supernumerary Mycologist, Mr. J. F. Dastur was confirmed in his appointment as first assistant. Bahu P. C. Kar was appointed to the vacant post of second clerk. All the staff have worked well. 2. Training. — Mr. F. Fateh-ud-din, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Punjah, attended for a mycological course once a week up to April 3rd. A forest ranger from the same province received a course of training in fruit dis- eases up to August 13th. A private student from Bombay abandoned the course early in the year. Amongst visitors Dr. Vermoesen, Mycologist elect to the Belgian Congo, worked in the Laboratory for over two months at the end of the year. 3. Aid to Provincial BefartmentS!. — Collections of named fungi, chiefly parasitic, have been supplied to the Madras and Mysore mycologists. A considerable number of specimens have been named for nearly all the provinces, the largest number being for Bombay and Eastern Bengal and Assam. Advice regarding the work of Provincial assistants has been given on several occasions. 4. Plant disease investigations, (a) Palm diseases. — A memoir giving a full account of the bud-rot of palmyra, coco and areca palms in Madras was published in Septem- ber. An organised campaign, having as its object to pre- vent the spread of the disease and to stamp it out within the affected area in Godavari and Kistna Districts, has been in progress since 1907. The parasite (PythHum palmi- vorum) attacks the crown of the palm only, killing the tree by destroying the growing point. Spores capable of INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 51 spreading infection from tree to tree are liberated at an advanced stage of the disease. No other method of check- ing this infection was found practicable than burning the diseased tops before spores had time to form. This was carried out by gangs of toddy drawers recruited by a staff of subordinate officers of the Revenue Department under the control of a special Deputy Collector. Up to the end of the financial year 1910 about half a million palms had been cut out in Godavari at a cost of some Rs. 50,000. The operations were extended to Kistna in January, 1910. The conclusions o-iven in tlie memoir are as follows : — " The operations have been entirely successful in limiting the dis- ease in Godavari District to the area previously infected. Now that they have been extended into Kistna, it is fully trusted that they will be equally successful in checking the alarming spread to the south which has been going on for some time in that direction. This alone should fuHv justify the cost of the operations and their continuation. It is unfortunately impossible to estimate the number of trees saved from attack within the infected area. Still the number of trees saved in those parts where the work has been longest in progress must be many thousands, and apart from preventing any extension in the Godavari District, it is not unlikely that the value of the palms actually saved within the district already exceeds the cost of the oper- ations." Since 1910 the control of the work has passed into the hands of the recently appointed Madras Mycolo- gist, Mr. W. McRae. (b) Tea diseases. — A bulletin by Mr. W. McRae, on the outbreak of blister blight of tea in Darjeeling District, was published in July. This contained a more complete ac- count of the disease than the publications on the same sub- ject mentioned in last year's report. It is unfortunately probable that the blight has come to stay in Darjeeling as it does not seem to have appreciably diminished since its first appearance. Many planters are experimenting on the lines suggested by Mr. McRae for its control, but it is evi- dent that effective measures will be most difficult to carry E 2 52 REPORT OF THE AGRTCULTIJRAL RESEARCH out. A tea parasite, Laestadia Iheae, found in- Java some 12 years ago but not previously recorded in India, was re- ported from the Dooars in July. It causes a leaf disease, known as copper-blight, which spreads with great rapidity, but appears to be closely dependent on weather conditions. A note describing its characters was written by Mr. F. J. F. Shaw for the January number of the Agricultural Journal of India. A disease of tea seed known for many years in Assam was investigated by the Imperial Mycologist in col- laboration with the officers of the Scientific Department of the Indian Tea Association. It lias been shown to be pro- bably associated with the tea seed bug, PoecUocoris latus, which punctures the seed and sucks the juice. Through the opening thus made fungi are able to enter, and the sub- sequent injury to the seed is due to the growth of one or other of several species of rot-producing fungi at the ex- pense of the seed tissues. The Tea Association is issuing a pamphlet pointing out that this insect is probably much more injurious in seed gardens than was previously sus- pected and recommending measures for its destruction. Several other tea diseases were investigated during the 3^ear, in particular the stem canker, the cause of which is still obscure. (c) Soft rot of ginger. — Mr. W. McRae published an account of this disease in the Agricultural Journal of In- dia, April, 1911. It is prevalent in Eastern Bengal, Guja- rat, and probably elsewhere. In Rangpur the loss in damp soils is 10 to 15 per cent, of the crop; in bad years almost the whole may be lost. The cause appears to be the attack of a fungus (Pythium gracile) on the rhizomes and base of the plant. As a result of experiments carried out at Rangpur in 1908-09, Mr. McRae was in a position to re- commend effective measures for checking the disease. (d) Turmeric leaf-spot. — This is a disease found all over Northern India, but not usually very destructive. It was found by the Imperial Mycologist to be caused by an undescribed species of Taphrina, and an account of it was published in the Annales Mycologici in February, 1911. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 53 It is probably responsible for a reduction of the yield which may be much greater than the cultivators themselves suspect, but no treatment can be recommended as yet. (e) Wilt diseases. — Experiments carried out at Pusa and independently by the Mycological Assistant of the Bombay Department at Poona, have demonstrated that the fungus which causes rahar (pigeon pea) wilt produces viru- lent spores on the stem of diseased plants. Hence it is ad- visable to pull out attacked plants early. Mr. Shaw has found that the cause of the death of cotton seedlings at Cawnpore is Rhizoctonia and not a Fusarium wilt. It is probable, however, that the cotton disease in the Central Provinces, Berars and other parts of India is a true wilt, and it is hoped to investigate this shortly. A gram dis- ease resembling wilt, sent from the neighbourhood of Peshawar, was found to be caused by Ascochyta Pisi and not Fusarium. A supposed outbreak of indigo wilt which caused a good deal of alarm in September, was shown to be due to leaf-sucking insects. (/) Sugarcane diseases. — The field experiments with red rot and Cephalosporiu7n disease were abandoned as the plots became infected throughout, and were also at- tacked by white-ants. Successful inoculations were ob- tained with a fungus which causes a root disease in Madras and has not previously been described. The Bombay De- partment is following the recommendations of this section in introducing healthy sets into some districts where red- rot is severe. {g) Forest tree diseases. — These continue to occupy a certain amount of time as there is no Mycologist attached to the Forest Department. The chief work of the year was the study by A. Hafiz Khan of the passage from root to root below ground of Trametes Pini, the fungus which causes heart rot of the blue pine. He published an account of his investigation in the Indian Forester, October, 1910. A serious disease of the Nahor [Mesua ferrea) has appear- ed in Sibsagar and Tista Divisions. It is undoubtedly caused by a fungus at the base of the tree, but we have 01 HEi^OET OF THE AGRlCULTUlUL llESEAUCH failed to isolate the species. A leaf disease of Piaiihyen- sis rubber reported from Assam was identified as Cercos- 2^0Tu Cearae, which has not previously been recorded on this tree. Diseases of sal, Casuarina, babul pods and deo- dar were also examined for the Forest Department. (A) Root-rot caused bi/ Rhizoctonia. — In September of last year a number of crops on the Farm were attacked by a species of Rhizoctonia. The crops damaged were prin- cipally groundnut, cowpea and jute, at the same time speci- mens of cotton seedlings from Cawnpore showed similar symptoms of disease. The fungus was isolated from each host and cross inoculations performed with a view to ascer- taining whether special races of the fungus are restricted to particular hosts and the extent to which crops are liable to infection in the field. Owing to the subsequent dis- covery of Rhizoctonia on the mulberry and papaw, the scope of the work has since become extended; at present, except in the case of the Rhizoctonia on jute, the evidence is against the existence of special physiological races on particular hosts. A fruiting stage of the fungus was dis- covered on the groundnut and coincides with one which has been previously described as occurring on potatoes in America. (i) Other flant diseases.— A disease of wheat which does not appear to resemble any hitherto described, was reported from Dharwar and Hoshangabad. It is hoped to investigate it more fully next season. The anthracnose of chillies caused by C oUetotridiun nigruw was widespread last year, and we had several enquiries about it. Other anthracnoses examined were those of beans, sida, mango and plantain. An attack of a species of Phytophthora on rhea was reported from Dacca. The study of the Fhyfoph- thora on castor was continued. The downy mildew of Cucurbitaceae, Plasmofara cubensis, was found at IHisa during the year. This disease, which lias been spreading gradually throughout the temperate portions of the world during the past fifteen years from centres in the United States and Japan, was not previously known in India. INSTITUTE AXD COLLEGE, i'LSA, EUR lUlU-ll. o5 The conidial stage of the Sclerospora on jowar was found in Bombay and supports the conclusion previously arrived at that the disease is identical with that of bajra due to SclerosjJora graminicola. The number of parcels of speci- mens sent in for examination was 97, and, as usual, a large part of the routine work of the section was the identifica- tion of these; recommendations for the check of diseases caused by them were given when possible. 5. Systematic work. — Much time was given to this branch of the work during the year. It has been pointed out in previous reports that the accumulation of a good classified collection of Indian fungi is as necessary a part of the equipment of the section as the microscopes or other tools of the laboratory. In India, unlike more advanced countries, we have nowhere to turn to to get this work done for us. It is true that we have received generous help from specialists in other countries, but to secure this we have to undertake our share of the work. Within the past few years a large body of the PJtijcuinycetes, rusts and smuts of India have been determined. The Aacomycetes were taken up last year, and some hundreds of specimens worked through and sent to Berlin, where the determin- ations will be published in collaboration with Messrs. H. and P. Sydow. Two large groups, the Basidiomycetes and Deuteroniycetes, remain to be worked out, but it will not be possible to undertake their study for some years. Con- siderable additions to our knowledge of Indian Phycouiy- cetes and rusts were also made during the year. Over GOO sheets were added to the herbarium. 6. Miscellaneous. — Mr. Shaw^ assisted the Imperial Bacteriologist in investigations of cri silkworm diseases and tobacco wilt. Eight show-cases of typical fungus dis- eases of plants were exhibited at the Allahabad Exhibition. A teaching collection of fungi with notes was prepared for the Elphinstone College, Bombay. A report was writ- ten on the invasion of lantana, a noxious w^eed of Mysore and Coorg, and measures for its check recommended. The ^ RUPORT OF THE AGRlCrLTURAL RESEARCH proposals made in collaboriition with the Imperial Entomo- logist, for the legislative control of plant imports likely to introduce injurious insects and fungi into India, were printed and circulated for the consideration of Local Gov- erimients and public bodies interested, and have met with, on the whole, a favotirable reception. To carrr these pro- posals into effect will be one of the most important duties of the section in the near future. A note on the organ isurses and to private students, as during the past year. f3) Advice regarding the fungtis diseases of plants will continue to be given to other departments, particularly the INSTITI'TE AND COLLEGE, PUBA, tOH J!JJ0-1J. 'j7 Pi'uviiiciai Uepariiiieiits of Agriculture and the F(jre.-5t iJe- partijjeiit, and to the general public. The distribution ol nanic^ spcM;imens and other material Uj provincial colleges and other institutions will also F>e wjntinued. (4) The collection and identification oi Indian parasi- tic fungi will be continued. ■ The liud-rol of ralius in India. E. J. Butler. MenioiiK of the Department of Agriculture in India, Botanical Series, Vol. Ill, Xo. 5, September, 1910. A new genus of the Uredinaceae. E. J. Butler. Annales Mycologici, Vol. VIII, So. 4, 1910. The Leaf Spot of Turmeric (TapLrina maculans n. sp,). E. I. But], Cleridm. Microlepidojkfera, Thysanoj)tera and Rhynchota. Collections have been identified for Provincial Assistants, the Indian Museum, the "Bombav Natural Historv Societv's Museum, the Quetta Museum and for many private collectors, INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 67 Miscellaneous. — Exhibits illustrating the work of the section were sent to the International Congress of Entomo- logy held at Brussels in August 1910. Entomological in- quiries and notes sent in to the Bombay Natural History Society have been dealt with and the Imperial Entomolo- gist lectured to the Society on the eve of his departure from India. Requests from officials and private persons out- side of India for information, specimens, etc., have been complied with as far as possible. Live Eri cocoons have been sent to England, France and Morocco. Proqramme of work for 1911-12. — The work of the past in advising: on insects will be continued, and concurrently the study of the insect-pests of crops will be carried out in the Insectary at Pusa and by the Provincial Assistants. Assistance will be given, when desired, in co-ordinating and directing the Entomological work in the Provinces, and special help will be given in the event of any serious outbreak. The issue of coloured plates and lantern slides will be continued. The experimental work with bees will be continued and extended if possible. Instruction in Eri and Mulberry silk-culture and in the cultivation of Lac will be given to students attending short courses in these subjects. Eurther collections will be made of lac insects in all stasres for the purpose of ascertaining the relation- ships of the various races. New insecticides and appara- tus submitted for trial will be tested with a view to their utility under Indian conditions. Rearing of Eri Silk- worms will be continued and all possible help given to those commencing this industry. Further experimental work will be done on the mongrel i sat ion of the races of the Mulberry Silk-worm, and it is anticipated that tlie provi- sion of cold-storage at Pnsa will much facilitate this. Special attention will be devoted to acquiring a knowledge of Indian Termites (wliite-ants), the damage they do, and the best methods of preserving crops and constructional material from their ravages. Puhlications. — A list of the more important of these is attached, but less and less time is available for work of this J.' 2 68 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH nature as the energies of the staff become more fully occu- pied in other directions; and this is the more regrettable because a large amount of information relative to the life- histories of many economically important insects has been gathered during the last few years. Amongst the publica- tions now in hand or proposed to be written, and for which a large amount of material is now ready, are practical manuals on lac culture and bee-keepinsf, Memoirs on life histories of Ortliopiera. Hymeno'ptera, Coleoptera, Lepi- doftera and Rhynchota, a Memoir on Termites, a revision of Indian Insect Pests, a revision of Insects injurious to Indian Agriculture, and separate manuals on insects in- jurious to Fruit-trees, Garden-crops and Grains, etc. Eri Silk as a Cottage Industry. (Pamplilet in Eng-lish, Urdu and Hindi.) December, 1910. Mulberry Silk in the United Provinces. (Pamphlet in English, Urdu and Hindi.) December, 1910. Commercial Possibilities of Eri Silk. C. C. Ghosh (Indian Industrial Conference). December, 1910. List of Injurious Indian Insects. April, 1911. List of Insects in Pusa Collection. December, 1910. Life-histories of Aquatic Insects. D. Nowrojee. (Memoir in the press.) Eood of Birds in India. C. W. Mason. (Memoir In the press.) Palm Beetles. C. C. Ghosh. (Memoir in the press.) Life-history of Croce filipennis. C. C. Ghosh. (Bombay Jour- nal.) October, 1910. Hairy Caterpillars in South Arcot. Y. Ramachandra Rao. (Agri. Journal, July, 1910.) Entomological Demonstration in Baroda. C. U. Patel. (Agri. Journal, October, 1910.) Two Insect Pests of United Provinces. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, (Agri. Journal, April, 1911.) Four Reviews in Agricultural Journal and one in Bombay Natural History Society's Journal. Insecticides. H. Maxwell-Lefroy. (Bulletin No. 23.) August, 1911. Eri Silk. H. Maxwell-Lefroy and C. C. Ghosh. (Memoir in the press.) The Moth-Borer (Chilo simpU.v) by T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, (Pamphlet in English.) INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 69 REPORT OF THE SECOND IMPERIAL ENTOMOLO- GIST FOR THE YEAR 1910-lL (F. M. HOWLETT, B.A.) In 1909, after a year and nine months' service, I was ab- sent on sick leave for a year and five months, returning to Pusa on March 22nd last. I have, therefore, nov^ just com- pleted two years of active service, and the present is a con- venient opportunity for putting forward one or two con- clusions regarding the work of my section. I was appointed to study Diptera, and in particular those insects which suck blood and which may transmit dis- ease. Roughly speaking the study of any group of insects usually takes one or two distinct but complementary lines : — (1) Taxonomies. — The study of the structure of dead specimens as a means of obtaining an accurate nomencla- ture and scheme of classification, thereby facilitating the correlation of results obtained by work in other branches. (2) Bionomics. — The study of the life-history, from egg to adult, and the liabits of living insects, their relations with other organisms and the factors which determine their various activities as a means of obtaining knowledge which will enable us to control these activities. Of these, (1) can be undertaken in any country to which specimens can be sent, and at any place affording sufficient facilities in the way of necessary literature. In this coun- try the Indian Museum is the only institution at present possessing a library with any pretensions to adequacy in respect of Dipterous taxonomies; (2) can be undertaken only on the spot. The elucidation of the life-history and reactions of insects is the only way whereby we can attain to more than an empirical knowledge of how to control them. To follow this line in the case of a group such as Diptera, about which so little is yet known, demands moreover a 70 REPOm OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH somewhat broader scientific outlook than is necessary to the pure systematist. It would of course be possible to pursue taxonomic studies and occupy ourselves with the description and naming of new species of Diptera, useful work which might well be extended over several years, but this would, in my view, constitute under the circumstances a misdirection of energy, since such work can be better and more easily done elsewhere. On these and other grounds I have regarded (2) as the direction in which our work should proceed, and I have now a foundation in a knowledge of the main features in the life-history and habits of all groups of blood-sucking insects in India, as also of the few Diptera which are of any considerable direct agricultural importance. I make use advisedly of the phrase " main features," since the pre- sent arrangements regarding laboratory accommodation do not admit of insects being kept alive except under condi- tions so unsuitable as often to make it difficult or impos- sible to obtain reliable results from observation of indivi- duals in captivity. Our disabilities in this direction are serious, but I am glad to say that steps are now being taken towards the provision of more suitable accommodation. I returned from England in March, arriving at Bombay on the 10th and at Pusa on the 22nd. No touring has been undertaken since that date. I found that since my depar- ture an amount of material has accumulated which has oc- cupied a good deal of my attention and which will take time to arrange and work out. A portion of our Nemocera has been named by Mr. Brunetti at the Indian Museum, and the identifications of a number of the Tabanidae sent to the British Museum in 1908 have now been published, which will facilitate work in this group. I do not here attempt to submit a detailed report of the past four months. In addition to work on the collection and on blood-insects in general, attention has been directed in particular to (1) parasites of Tabanidse, mainly observations INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 71 on an egg-parasite of our common hot weather Tabanus {T. alhimedius) ; (2) temperature reactions of Mosquitos; I believe I have found that temperature constitutes at least one of the main factors controlling mosquito-bite; more ob- servations are required, and the work is still in progress; (3) the relative efficiency of " millions " and other enemies of mosquito-larvae, in progress ; (4) Peach-flies ; with regard to these last it seems improbable that their attacks can be completely prevented by anything short of netting the trees, but we have now a cheap and simple method (depending on the " chemico-sexual " reactions of the male flies) whereby the damage they do may be very much reduced. A number of publications are in hand. Four students have been received, though it was impossible to allot them any window-space in which to work. While absent on sick leave, I attended the First Inter- national Congress of Entomology at Brussels, and though unable to enjoy the lavish hospitality which was displayed by the Congress Officials towards all visiting delegates, I was present at all the meetings and read two papers, by Mr. Lefroy and myself. These will be published in the Proceedings of the Congress. From the scientific point of view, the Congress was most successful, the great majority of the papers read being of a high standard of excellence, and I cannot overestimate the value of this opportunity of getting into touch with recent work, and of meeting and exchanging views with Entomologists of other countries. In connection with a plague of house-flies near Norwich I carried out (in collaboration with Dr. Copeman, F.R.S., Medical Inspector to the Local Government Board, and Mr. Merriman) what I believe to be the first successful series of experiments on the range and rate of flight of these insects under natural conditions, a point of considerable import- ance with regard to disease-transmission. The results are published in " New Series No. 53 of the Local Government Board Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects." Prior to sailing for India I spent five weeks in Cam- bridge, working in Professor Nuttall's laboratory on the 72 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH respiratory mechanism of Ticks and the influence of tem- perature on rat-fleas; I may remark that the temperature which was fatal to adult fleas was found to be unexpectedly low. I also prepared several illustrations for Professor Nuttall, made an experimental study of the effects of vari- ous degrees of magnification and reduction in reproducing drawings and wrote two articles [on (1) Mosquitos and Temperature, (2) Methods of preserving Insects] which were published in " Parasitology." Programme of work for 1911-12. — Work on blood-suck- ing insects, ticks, and other similar parasites directly or indirectly injurious to man will be continued, and atten- tion will also be given to Dipterous pests of crops and fruit. Instruction will be given to agricultural students in these subjects. A large amount of time will have to be given to work- ing through and arranging the material which has accumu- lated during my absence, sent in by Medical and Veterin- ary Ofiicers. Special investigations proposed are : — (1) Life-history and habits of Simulium (hill cattle- fly), the dung-infesting Cattle-flies, Sand-flies, and such house-flies as are likely to be found acting as carriers of intestinal diseases. (2) Bionomics of Mosquitos, with special reference to the influence of temperature. (3) Influence of external conditions on the life-history of Fleas. (4) Eeaction of Diptera to chemical stimuli. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 78 REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST FOR THE YEAR 1910-11. (C. M. Hutchinson, B.A.) The work of the Bacteriological Section during the past year, the first during which it has been in operation, has necessarily been largely confined to trial and selection of the methods best adapted for dealing with the special condi- tions of soil and climate obtaining in India. The biologi- cal analysis of a soil not only involves a determination of the number and kinds of bacteria contained in it and their relation to the production of plant food, but must also in- clude investigations having for their aim the discovery of how such bacterial functions as make for fertility may be encouraged and used to the best advantage in the ordinary operations of agricultural practice. Hence the main lines of work of this section have been aimed at determining under what conditions various soils will best serve as cul- ture media for those bacteria, naturally present in them, upon which the processes of conversion of the organic nitro- gen of humus into assimilable nitrates depend. Much preliminary work has been done in testing methods already in use, and modifying them in accordance with the requirements of local conditions. Special attention has been paid tu methods of plating soils in such a way as to obtain information as to the num- ber, kinds, and functions of the bacteria in them; this has involved a study of media suitable for the purpose, and of methods of inoculation, and this study is still in progress, as it appears probable that each soil requires variation in the composition of the medium in which it is to be plated, in accordance with its chemical and physical character, and with special regard to its previous agricultural history. In soil platos made for the purpose of counting the num- bers of bacteria present per unit volume or unit weight, 74 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH special attention must be paid to the variations in soil climate previous to the time of sampling, as otherwise erroneous conclusions may be drav^n as to the number of bacteria normally present. For instance, a rainfall of one- tenth of an inch in December has been found to raise the number of bacteria to 100 millions per gram in the course of 36 hours, whereas the same soil contained only 5 millions per gram two weeks later. Similarly the rate of decom- position and nitrification of organic matter in Indian soils appears to be very different from that which has been ob- served in Europe, and is no doubt to be correlated with the special conditions of soil and climate of this country. These cases have been referred to as illustrations of the necessity for proceeding with great caution in working out special problems by the application of generally accepted methods. A complete series of experiments has been carried out to determine the best means of sterilizing soils, as the majority of experiments on soil bacteriology depend upon work with sterile soil as a medium. Great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining completely sterile soil; inter- mittent steaming in many cases has failed to ensure steri- lity, possibly owing to the rapid formation and germin- ation of spores by some of the numerous spore formers pre- sent, and the use of the autoclave for pots of soil, of which only one can be inserted at a time, makes an experiment involving the use of some 50 pots almost impracticable, owing to the differences in time involved. A sterilizing plant for dealing with a large number of pots simultane- ously is very much needed. Samples of Pusa soils have been analysed bacteriologi- caily, pure cultures of the bacteria found have been made, and their physiological functions examined. Special at- tention has been paid to their relative ammonifying power, and the knowledge thus obtained is now being utilized in dealing with special problems. A special study has been made of the effect of hot weather ploughing upon the bacterial content of the soil and tNStlTUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 75 its possible relation to the undoubted increase in fertility resulting therefrom. It has been found that this operation increases the rate of ammonification of the soil humus, pro- bably by the selective action of combined desiccation and abnormal temperature; similar results can be obtained by heating the soil to 60° C, the soil plates shewing a survival of the more active ammonifiers such as B. Mycoides and B. Subtilis, v^hilst the highly aerated condition of the soil inhibits the activity of surviving anaerobic spore formers. The net result is an extremely rapid formation of ammonia, part of which is retained by the soil and nitrified or taken up directly by plants, and part is lost by diffusion; in this way rapid depletion of the soil nitrogen must take place, and subsequent fertility will depend upon the judicious use of green manures; the economic value of the method depends upon the power which it places in the hands of the agriculturist of rapidly converting green manure or other organic nitrogen into plant food, although this may be counterbalanced to some extent by loss of nitrogen as ammonia. Study of Pusa soil taken from depths down to nine feet shows large numbers of bacteria even at this low level; nitrification has been found actively proceeding in the third foot from the surface, the greatest amount of this taking place in the second six inches. Owing to the open texture of this soil it is improbable that denitrification occurs to any appreciable extent, but the rapid rate of ammonification and the vigorous growth of soil bacteria no doubt interfere with the production of nitrates. A method of quantitative estimation of the changes in soil due to bacterial action, by periodical analysis of the soil gases, has given much information as to the conditions favourable for nitrification in soils; it is hoped that this method will be invaluable in the future for dealing with such problems as arise out of soil irrigation and drainage, and the use of green manures. In connection with the experiments upon soil steriliza- tion as a laboratory method, investigations have been car- 76 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ried out to determine the effect of various methods of par- tial or complete sterilization upon fertility; these investi- gations are still in progress and have yielded some results of great interest, such as the fact that the addition of Toluene to a soil already sterilized by heat increases its suitability as a medium for the growth of ammonifying bacteria and consequently its fertility; this renders it un- necessary to assume that such action is due to the suppres- sion of phagocytes, although there is of course no reason why such removal should not contribute to the general effect in soils partially sterilized by addition of Toluene. So far but little work has been done upon any but local soils, as these have afforded ample opportunity for research, but samples of Usar soil have been examined in connection with the use of gypsum, cattle manure, and straw as means of modifying their infertile condition. Dr. Leather kindly supplied samples of these soils, and also some black cotton, Shillong, Bangalore, and Akola soils, which have been used for purposes of comparison with Pusa soils. A circular letter was addressed to Directors of Agricul- ture and Principals of Agricultural Colleges in the Pro- vinces with a view to eliciting their opinions as to the scope for bacteriological work on soils, and the existence of special problems of local interest suitable for investigation by this section. The replies were of great interest as shewing the very general realization of the value of such work, and many useful suggestions as to lines of enquiry were re- ceived. The opinion was expressed in several quarters that the training of assistants as soil bacteriologists who would be capable of dealing with local problems in the Provinces, should be an important item in the work of this section at ■Pusa. This is a point of view with which I am in complete agreement and I wish to express my opinion that the work done during the past year has shown the necessity for train- ing in the use of the special laboratory methods which are necessary in India, and that such assistants as may be selected for work on soil bacteriology in the provinces INSTITUTE AND COI-LEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 77 should undergo a preliminary training at Pusa. It is im- portant that these men should have a previous training in analytical chemistry of a high order, as my experience has been that it is possible to teach bacteriology to a chemist, but that the converse alternative is a v^aste of time. This was my own experience at Pusa with a medically-trained bacteriologist who acted for a time as my assistant, and whose qualifications as a biologist did not fit him for work as a soil bacteriologist, this being due to the very different nature of the work involved in medical and soil bacterio- logy. On the other hand my present three assistants who are all chemists, have shown great aptitude for bacteriolo- gical work, and their previous training as analysts has been invaluable in dealing with soil problems, which depend largely for their solution upon quantitative estimation of chemical changes in soil constituents. Certain special problems have been dealt with during the year; these include investigations of the cause of : — 1. A bacterial disease of Tobacco occurring in Rang- pur, due to the presence of a strain of Bacillus Solanacearum, differing from those described in America and Japan in its pathogenicity both for Tobacco and other Solanaceous plants, such as Tomato and Brinjal (Solanum Melongena). 2. A disease of the Eri silkworm associated with the presence of bacteria in the intestine; Memoirs on these two subjects are in hand. Invaluable assistance in the preparation of sections for mi- croscopic examination in connectios with these diseases was afforded by Mr. Shaw of the Myco- logical Section, who was kindly permitted by the Imperial Mycologist to devote a considerable amount of time to this work. 3. The efficacy of Ratin and Trope Ratin as rat exter- minators in India. Experiments were made with fresh samples received from England, and a report on the results was furnished to the Inspector General of Agriculture in India. 78 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Ratin is a bacterial culture prepared in Copen- hagen, which is intended to produce an infec- tious disease in rats which have fed on baits treated with it, and which then spread the con- tagion amongst others. Although the cultures when received at Pusa were alive, as was proved by transfers, no pathogenic effects followed when given with food to captive rats. In cor- responding with the Director of the Ratin La- boratory at Copenhagen I suggested that the virulence of the cultures might be regained by cultural methods in India. Trofe Ratin is not a bacterial cailture but a vegetable poison, the principal feature of which is its toxicity for rats and mice and harmlessness for other animals. Experiments proved that its efficacy in India depends upon its use within a limited period of time after its preparation, as rapid deterioration takes place with loss of toxicity. Its cost precludes any possibility of use on a large scale by cultivators, but might allow of employment in special cases, such as in granaries or warehouses. 4. A disease of Tnsmr silkworms at Chaibassa was investigated and a report submitted to the Director of Agriculture in Bengal. The general conclusion arrived at was that death was due to bacterial invasion of the alimentary canal, but that as the extent to which this developed was dependent on unsuitable diet consequent principally on climatic causes, it would be im- practicable to apply preventive or remedial measures. 5. A scheme for bacterioloo'ical work in connection with the proposed dairy at Pusa was elaborat- ed, including the idea of a course of training for students in Bacteriology as applied to dairy work. INSllTUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 79 Program^me of work for 1911-12. — 1. The systematic investigation of the distribution, physiological character, and functions of soil bacteria in India will be continued. 2. A special line of enquiry will be taken up as to the relations existing between the practice of green manuring in India and the activities of soil bacteria. 3. Special problems, such as plant diseases of bacterial origin, will be dealt with as occasion may arise and oppor- tunity permit. 4. The training of the assistants in the section will be continued. Pvhlication. — An article on the influence of Bacteria upon sdil fertility was published in the Agricultural Jour- nal of India, Vol. VI, Part II, April 1911. 80 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL COTTON SPECIALIST FOR THE YEAR 1910-11. (G. A. Gammie, F.L.S.) I held charge of the appointment from the 1st July to the 5th August 1910, when I proceeded on privilege leave. During my absence, Mr. S. V. Shevade, B.Sc, held current charge of my office. I resumed my duties on my return on the 6th November and continued in charge until the end of the year under report. In July, Londa, Dharwar Experimental Station, Gokak Experimental Station and Vadgaon (all in the Bombay Presidency) were visited. In the months of August and September, Mr. Shevade visited Vadgaon, Dharwar, Gadag, Kilgiri and Kumbarganvi. After my return from leave, I visited Vadgaon and made a tour in the Central Pro- vinces in the company of the respective Deputy Directors. Khandwa, Raipur, Nagpur and Akola were visited. In November, I also visited Dhulia and Ahmednagar. In December, I again went to Vadgaon in connection with a scheme to introduce cotton into this tract, and in January I visited Khanapur, Londa, Belgaum and Desur with the same object. In the same month I saw the cotton-experi- ments at Sholapur. In February, I completed my observa- tions on cotton growing in the Deccan, at Takari and Islam- pur and joined the Deputy Director on tour in Gujarat, visiting Navsari, Surat and Nadiad. In March', I met the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Bengal, to advise him re- garding the prospects of cotton cultivation at Chinsurah. T again visited the Experimental Stations in the Southern Mahratta Country. For the remainder of the period I was engaged in laying down a series of trials in my experi- mental station at Kirkee. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PT^SA, FOR 1910-11. 81 Central Provinces Cottons. I visited the Experimental Station at Khandwa, where I met Mr. Evans, the Deputy Director of the Northern Division. This station is 13 acres in extent and is divided into \ acre plots, seven of which are devoted to cotton and five to Jo war and Bajri varieties. The experiments on cotton will be continued this year, taking in, however, only four varieties, rfudvensis, roseum, Saugor Jari, Bhuri and, perhaps, Cambodia. The following are the notes I drew out on the ground during my inspection : — Karkeli. — This being Hinganghat {Bani) is not suited to this tract, and the fact is sufficiently proved by the ap- pearance of the plot this season. Malvensis is strong and vigorous and the outturn pro- mises to be satisfactory. The staple, almost as harsh as, is longer than that of roseum. Which of the two will ultimately prove to be the most profitable is a point only to be determined by a test of outturn per acre. Local opin- ion strongly inclines to the belief that roseum is the more remunerative crop. This year roseum, being on a high- lying plot with shallow soil, cannot safely be compared for outturn with malvensis, which is on a lower level with deep- er and richer soil. Saugor Jari had borne its ripe bolls intact for about a month, and the White Flowered Varhadi or roseum. also retained its ripe cotton uncommonly well. Practically none had yet fallen to the ground. The retention of the ripe cotton in the open bolls is a characteristic general to our indigenous Indian cottons. Of Bhuri and Cambodia it can be safely said that the former is almost certain to succeed in the better classes of soil in this district. The group of cultivators, who accom- panied us in the fields, concurred in my view after inspect- ing the crop as it stood on the ground. Cambodia does not promise so well in the northern as in the southern cotton districts. However, to make the mat- G 82 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTrRAL RESEARCH ter certain, it would be quite worth while to give it another year's chance. Saugor Jari is a dwarf variety, coming so quickly to maturity that the first picking is ready this year in the middle of October. The seed was originally brought from the Rehli Taluka of the Saugor District. It is an ex- tremely prolific cropper and appears to be suitable more especially for the poorer classes of soils, which are apt to lose moisture rapidly when the late monsoon fails as it often does in this district. The seed obtained locally in Burhanpur has produced a crop so mixed (the mixture consisting of Jari with a smaller proportion of Bani and Upland Georgian) that the fact strengthens our conviction that, if pure varieties are estab- lished by the Department, which will then distribute them for general cultivation, methods must decidedly be devised, by home or village ginning or otherwise, to ensure that these varieties are maintained in their purity. As regards the establishment of this particular Experimental Station I foresee with satisfaction, that, being by its very nature a demonstration on an actual cultivator's land with the im- plements and labour supplied from his stock, the results will be readily visible to him and his neighbours. In Berar and the Central Provinces, where cotton is usually grown associated with Tur {Cajanus indicus) more attention could be profitably paid to the cleanliness of the fields, which are infested with coarse grasses, Celosia arcjentea and other weeds. I visited the Experimental Stations at Raipur, Nagpur and Akola in the company of Mr. Clouston, the Deputy Director, and Mr. Graham, the Economic Botanist. At Raipur, which is beyond the cotton tracts, two plots were devoted to Bhuri and Cambodia cottons. The former gave a good crop last year and promised well for this. The Rajnandgaon Mill bought the produce at a fair price and the Manager is anxious to see the increased cultivation of this variety. It suffers from boll-worm, however, and the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1910-11. 83 general conditions of the district do not seem to be al- together favourable. Cambodia looks unthrifty and chances are decidedly in its disfavour, but I advised Mr. Clouston to give it another trial as the rains have been abnormally heavy. Attempts to introduce the cultivation of Deshi cotton and Jowar have resulted in failure. At Rajnandgaon we visited two fields of Bhuri in the company of Mr. Fredericson, the Manager of the local mill. These had done very well and the local cultivators were impressed with the result. Mr. Fredericson, however, says that Bhuri will not altogether serve as a substitute for American Upland, which is superior in quality. It will compete on favourable terms with the longer stapled indi- genous varieties such as Broach, and this, after all, is a desideratum in the Central Provinces. At Nagpur, Mr. Clouston still retains his plots sown from seeds locally obtained from many parts of the province and these have enabled him to gauge the nature and extent of the mixtures as they normally exist in the fields. Vari- ous high-class Uplands from American seed do not hold out promise of success. The utility of protecting cotton fields against insect attacks with girdles of Bhendi still seems to be a moot point, but, from my own experience, I cannot help considering that there is much to be said in its favour. Insects certainly prefer it to cotton, and if care be exercised in its destruction when its purpose is effected, much latent and active insect life must be destroyed at the same time. The varieties of cotton actually under serious trial con- sist of Bhuri, malvensis, vera, cutchica and rosea. In order of their value in length of staple they would stand thus : — (excluding Bhuri), malvensis, vera, rosea and cutchica. The last two are white-flowered forms of the two preceding them. Malvensis and vera (yellow-flowered forms) are decidedly superior in the matter of staple, but they are surpassed in percentage and total yield by rosea and cutchica (white-flowered forms). The valuations given G % 84 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTFRAL RESEARCH by the trade are practically equal for all, so, from a culti- vator's point of view, the two last can safely be taken as the best to grow. Mr. Clouston estimates that he has gained from 2 to 3 per cent, in quantity by selection, and I seized the opportunity to point out to him that this is really a long step in advance, especially when it becomes establish- ed over the enormous cotton tracts of the Central Provinces and Berar. The popular belief is that, by scientific methods, an in- crease in length of staple and proportion of cotton to seed can be easily attained, but the public generally and mem- bers of the Agricultural Department also should hold steadily in their view the fact that to evolve an addition of even one or two per cent, in length of staple and percentage of cotton to seed in a few years is in itself a notable feat, and that it is chimerical perhaps to hope to reach anything better. Anyhow, it would at least serve as an excellent foundation for a fresh start in advance. Forms of all varieties with narrow-lobed leaves are more easily fixed than those with broad lobes. Undue im- portance should not, however, be attached to the degree of division in the leaves. At the Telinkheri farm there are plots of Bhuri, Cambodia and the indigenous varieties. All have suffered, although slightly so, from water-logging during the recent heavy rains. Cotton is a crop with a de- cided predilection for a well-drained soil. The Department of these provinces is quite alive to the danger of the possibility of the reputation of their selected seed being ruined by the addition of local bazar seed by un- scrupulous dealers for the sake of a temporary profit. It is difficult to conceive how such a contingency can be met in the case of indigenous varieties in which the seeds do not differ materially. Cambodia, in all cases, seems to be inferior in strensjth and quality of produce to Hhu?i m the Central Provinces and Berar, and it is also about three weeks longer in arriv- ing at maturity, an objection of vital importance in these short season tracts. LNSTITUTE and college, PUSA, for 1910-11. 85 At Akola, where a large area of the Experimental Sta- tion is devoted to the raising of selected seed, the cottons comprise Bhwi, nialvensis, vera, rosea, cutchica and Bani. Bam has fallen into disrepute and one seed farm at Risod, especially devoted to producing its seed, has great diffi- culty in disposing of it. Bhuri seed is in rapidly increas- ing demand as are also malvensis and rosea, but the last- named, from its productiveness and hardiness, appeals most strongly to the cultivator. The manurial experiments appear so far to prove that farmyard manure has a dis- tinct effect, but, that on account of their cost and trifling action there is little or practically no advantage gained from the use of artificial fertilizers. Farmyard manure and urine earth mixed give a better result than either ap- plied alone. All the varieties of cotton are pure now, and the chief difficulty ahead lies in the maintenance of this purity in the cultivator's fields. An accidental admixture of varie- ties on this station arose from the fact that whole seed was fed to the cattle and this often germinated in the manure when spread on the fields. Crushing the seed, of course, has removed this defect. Experiments with English and indigenous ploughs and with the Bhakar go to prove that ploughing tends to assist water-logging in a wet season when the Bhakar is most effectual, but the latter method fails in a season of drought. As the cultivator can only guess what the season is going to be this conclusion is not obviously helpful. It appears to be advantageous to follow the local practice of sowing cotton in anticipation of the setting-in of the rains, and the converse applies to Jowar, which suffers badly if dry weather supervenes after germination. In 1910, there were 3,000 acres of Bhuri under cultiva- tion in Berar. Unfortunately the epidemic of plague greatly retarded its preparation for the market. The area actually under seed farm of all varieties is 600 acres. Three varieties of seed are supplied on purchase from this farm, namely, malvensis, rosea and Bhuri- At Risod in the m REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Hinganghat tract Bani is grown for distribution, but there is no call for the seed as the people are introducing the coarser, hardier and more productive Jari (vera) and Var- hadi (rosea). An efficient hand gin of moderate cost and simple construction which would clean an appreciable amount of cotton per working day is an urgent necessity in the cotton tracts. I wish here to emphasize my opinion that a real advance in the improvement of some of the staple cottons of the Central Provinces and Berar has already been effected. The cultivators show a practical appreciation of the fact by cheerfully paying enhanced rates for the selected seed supplied by the experimental stations. The chief diffi- culty in the future will be to maintain the varieties suffi- ciently pure. For some years to come the difficulty must either be met by large extensions of seed farms or by spe- cial arrangements with reliable cultivators either of vil- lages collectively or as individual persons. At the same time steps should be taken to ensure that the cultivators receive fair rates for their improved produce. It seems, however, too hopeful to look forward to the time when the people will realize the advantages of clean cultivation and cleanly methods of harvesting and mar- keting. The British Cotton Growing Association sent the fol- lowing gratifying account of the season's cottons grown at Akola : — Value of Middling American 8- Old. No. 1. Bhuri. — " Fully good middling " in grade. Staple about 1 inch. Strong. Value 7-90c?. to 8-006^. No. 2. Bani. — " Fully good middling " in grade. Staple about IJ inch. Fine, but little soft. Value 8-40fZ. No. 3. Malvensis. — " Fully good middling " in grade, little stained. Staple 1 to 1^ inch, irregular and rather soft. Value 8-206?. iNStlTUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR IDlO-ll. St No. 4. Roseum. — " Fully good middling " in grade. Staple rough and extremely short. Value 7d., quite nominal. It is mentioned that " with the exception of the fourth sample, Roseum, all the samples sent are useful cottons which could be readily sold in this market at considerably higher prices than are obtained from East Indian cotton, and we hope that there may be some possibility of these cottons being produced in quantity in your district." Bomhay Cottons. Trial with Bh/rrl cotton at Kiimharganvi {12 miles from Dharivar). — In March 1909, while discussing cotton matters with the Deputy Director of Agriculture at Dharwar, I suggested the possibility of a successful introduction of Bhuri into the tract lying in the heavy rainfall zone where land was largely left uncultivated. Accordingly a plot of about 3 acres was taken up at Kumbarganvi. The soil is shaly, and is known in local Kanarese as Masari, Bhurkati or Revti in Marathi and Gorat in Gujerati. The average annual rainfall is 50 to 60 inches, falling heavily from June to the end of September and more lightly till the beginning of November. Two ploughings and three harrowings were given but no manure. The seed (obtained in 1908 from Bengal) was sown by drill at the rate of 20 lbs. per acre on the 18th August 1909. Germination was excellent and the plants were thinned out to a foot apart in the rows, which were at 2 feet intervals. The plants were soon attacked by stem borers and caterpillars. The latter were removed by hand, a difficult operation as the creatures concealed themselves during the day. This attack lasted for four weeks. It was estimated that 50 per cent, of the crop was attacked but the sequel proved that the plants received no material injury. The first picking was started on the 15th January ; this gave 14 lbs. 7 oz. of seed cotton; the second was on the 25th February and gave 72 lbs. of seed cotton, the third and 88 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the fourth on the 18th March and 1st April respectively and gave 130 lbs. (per acre 216 lbs. 7 oz.). The percentage of lint 1st picking— 33-25; 2nd— 34-12; and the 3rd— 34-37. The valuations showed that the resulting clean cotton was of very poor quality, the report being that it was no better than Bengals. The first, second and third pickings were valued at Rs. 280, Rs. 275 and Rs. 260 per candy of 784 lbs. Broach cotton in the same day's market being Rs. 330, Surat Rs. 345, and Navasari Rs. 360. Under nor- mal circumstances Bhuri in Bengal stands at least as high as Broach. The unfavourable result was, however, instruc- tive in that it suggested experiments with this cotton iji various soils to determine the actual influence of soil on the final product. Kulthi is probably the best rotation for cotton in this soil as it is already the custom to grow it here, and the heavy rainfall forbids the idea of growing Jowar. Kumpta was tried on a small plot, but, as was naturally to be expected, it was a failure. The Cambodia cotton plants suffered so badly from the attacks of caterpillars that only a very few plants survived. They remained stunted in growth and the situation was manifestly unsuitable to them. These two varieties were also sown on black soil at Aravadgi, about 2 miles distant from Kumbarganvi. The crops on the whole were superior to those at Kumbarganvi, but they suffered from the same insect attacks and in addi- tion became so badly infested with Aphides that they had to be treated with spraying of kerosine oil emulsion. Cambodia and Bhuri produced at Vadgaon from the same seed in 1910 were reported on by Messrs. Tata Bro- thers as being equal to Superfine Wardha Good at Rs. 340 and Fine Hinganghat Good at Rs. 340 respectively. This further exemplifies the effect of the soil on the quality of cotton, and trials, suggested by these valuations, are being undertaken during the present year at additional centres in order that we may ascertain the precise effects on the cotton INSTITUTE AND COLLECT E, IHSA, FOR 1910-11. 89 plant and its ultimate product induced by diverse climates and soils. Another report from Khanapur gives a valuation of Bhuri at Rs. 370 and Cambodia at Rs. 340. The 1910 crop of Bhuri at Kumbarganvi was valued at Rs. 380, Fine Surats of the same day being Rs. 380. In the light of the second year's valuation it is difficult to understand why the first year's crop at Kumbarganvi should have been so inferior. The Professor of Agriculture, Poona, kindly allowed me the use of a plot of land at Lonavla (where the average rainfall is 186-56 inches) to test the behaviour of Bhuri, Cambodia and Kil under a very heavy rainfall. The last- named, in its own home in the Garo Hills, luxuriates in almost quite as heavy a rainfall. Seeds of the three varie- ties were sown on the 19th June, Cambodia germinated well, but Kil and Bhuri only indifferently. The heavy rains and cold winds prevented further growth in the two latter and they died. Cambodia held out till about the end of July and finally succumbed in the heavy rain of August. It was a foregone conclusion perhaps that no cotton will withstand such heavy and continuous rainfall, but still it is satisfactory to obtain tangible proof of the fact. Bourbon Cotton Cultivation on the Western Coast. — In former years it was demonstrated to their own satis- faction by a few enthusiasts (who probably owed their suc- cess to watchful care), that Bourbon cotton could be pro- fitably grown in the Konkan, and sporadic plants are cer- tainly persistent and quite common in villages. To arouse fresh interest in the subject I persuaded some Mamlatdars to induce land-owning friends to make experiments and I supplied the necessary seed. The final reports, however, proved disappointing as, owing to heavy rains, not one trial resulted in success. Now that a Divisional Inspector has been appointed for the Konkan I hope that, under his supervision, further trials with Comilla cotton, a plant from a heavy rainfall area, nuiy show some measure of success. 90 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Cotton Cvof Experiments conducted on the Dry Farm Experimental Station of Ahmednagar. — Here we have ad- verse conditions under another aspect, namely, of drought and not excessive rainfall. The season on the whole was reported to be good, but the rainfall was above the average and towards the end of the season was also untimely. The germination of the seeds was therefore affected by the pack- ing of the soil which occurs during heavy falls of rain. The subsequent resowing of the numerous gaps and more than usually rapid growth of weeds threw an excessive addition to the normal cost of cultivation. The first picking when approaching maturity was destroyed by the heavy down- pour in the Swati rains. The plants, however, recover- ed, but the occurrence of a sudden frost finally destroyed the crop. Karkeli on the whole proved most resistant, yielding at the rate of 144 lbs. of seed cotton per acre, while 5 types of Khandesh cotton gave 94, 100, 104, 112, 114 lbs. respectively. Although due attention was paid to all the details of treatment and cultivation, no workable precau- tions could possibly be employed to insure the crops against the vicissitudes of such an abnormal season. The following are valuations by Messrs. Tata Sons on samples from Ahmednagar : — Xo. Namo of cotton. Remark. Valuation. Rs. 1 Karkeli Equal to F. Barsi Gd., which class is very rare or non-existent. Soft in feel and of good staple. 330 2 N. V. M. type . Same as above, but slightly better in staple. 335 3 N. V. K. type . Same as No. 1, but slightly inferior in staple. 325 4 N. V. type Same as N. V. K. ... 325 5 X. K. C. type . Rather rough and very short in staple ; more like Khandesh. 305 6 Khandesli . This is a superior quality of Khandesh cotton, supertine in colour. The dis- trict rai-ely, if ever, produces such 315 cotton. JSaaf'a.^Khandesh Gd. Rs. 310 per candy of 784 lbs. Institute and college, pusa, Eor 1910-11. dl Cotton Crop Exferiments on the Dhulia Experimental Station. — I visited this station on the 29th November. The first plot of cotton inspected v^as labelled N. R-, a selection of 'Neglectum roseum out of the types ordinarily ^rowh in the fields. The plants were robust, the stand even and the production excellent. The staple is that 01 Varhadi. Last year the produce of this was above 900 lbs. of seed cotton per acre with a percentage of 37-5. The seed cotton is bought by the merchants at the rate of Rs. 21-8-0 per maund (144 lbs.) against the rate of Rs. 20-8-0 per local cotton. The second plot was of N. R. C. (Necjlectum roseum cutchicum). This is also a selection from the local cotton. The crop produced last year was 850 lbs., percentage 35. The staple is a little longer and finer than that of N. R. and the cotton was valued at Rs. 10 more per candy (784 lbs.). The third plot was that of malvensis, N. V. M. ; dif- fers from vera proper or Jari in the superiority of its staple. It has been grown on a large scale only this year. Comilla Cotton. — Fresh seed was imported this year from Hill Tipperah as the acclimatized plant had de- teriorated. The lobes of the leaves are broad as well as narrow and the flowers are usually white, but some are yellow. The crop is very poor and very late. Bhuri. — ;This plot looks good and productive. One cultivator at Amalner is said to have 20 acres of good Bhuri under cultivation. There is a rising demand for its seed and the prospects of success in Khandesh as in Berar are decidedly hopeful at present. Cambodia looks more sturdy than Bhuri but it is a later crop. The prospects of both are of course uncertain until they have been subjected to the experience of a dry season. The cultivator at Amalner, already mentioned, has obtained from the merchants Rs. 10 per maund (144 lbs.) of seed cotton over the price of local cotton. Of the crosses, that of Comilla with Bani is most pro- mising as regards both quantity and quality. The selected 93 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH plants yield a staple over J inch and ginning percentage of about 33. Karkeli is not very promising, but still it yields a profit quite equal to that of the local crop. Bani from Akola looks well, but it will never be a favourite crop in a tract where the cultivators prize the qualities of hardiness and high percentage of cotton. Ahglectum var. katliiawareiisis. — The growth is very vigorous and prolific. Last year it yielded 741 lbs. of seed cotton per acre, with a percentage of 27- 10. The following are some of the results obtained on the station : — Name Seed cotton ])cr acre. Percentage. Neglectum var. nialvensis • . 6S6 26-10 „ „ vera • . 7:^9 3U-U0 „ „ cutchica « • 780 35-50 „ „ rosea • • S7U 37-50 Inter se crossing in Bhuri and Cambodia has produced enormously strong plants. As in the Central Provinces and Berar so also in Khan- desh the same difficulty in the distribution and mainten- ance of the pure varieties has to be surmounted. So far there is only one demonstration plot, ly'iz., at Amalner, where the different types are grown. There is also a de- monstration held at the Experimental Station every Octo- ber and this had the desired effect of introducing the im- proved varieties to the attention of the cultivators who send in orders for seeds. In the local practice, seeds are sown through two tubes placed behind and dragged after the hhakar. This requires the attention of three people while the Gujerat drill (which is being introduced) only requires two. The Gujerat bullock hoe is also said to be more effective, as it brings the earth better round the plants. IXSTITCTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR lUKJ-ll. 93 The Manager of Messrs. Volkart's Spinning and Press- ing Factory informed me that he was buying extensively pure supplies of the very coarse Varadi {roseum) cotton which he considers does really possess a staple. He says that this cotton is mostly used in Germany, Austria and Hungary and that Bengal's are used in Italy. Fraudulent practices are obviously carried on by cultivators. Wet and damaged cotton is packed into the centre of finer stuff and much leaf and dirt is present. The dry, brown leaf is not so objectionable because it can be blown away, but it is difficult to free the cotton from the black leaf caused by damp. Khandesh cotton seed bears a good reputation in the European market, its refraction being only 6 per cent, while that from Berar is 6^ to 7. The cultivators, as a rule, do not take away the seed during the ginning season, but just before sowing time, when they have made up their minds as to what they are to grow, they take whatever they can get in the shape of seed from the mounds in the compounds of the ginning factories. A few of the more careful cultivators, how- ever, especially those who farm on a large scale, bring their seed cotton to the ginning factory, see it ginned in their presence, and often sell it during the process to the highest bidder. They take away there and then w^hat they require for the next season's sowing. Cotton Eocf^riments at Sholapur. — I visited these In January in company with Mr. Patil, the Divisional In- spector of Agriculture. The first plots seen were at Mohanmala on land owned by the late Rao Bahadur Warad. These experiments were started last year with the object of ascertaining the mixture existing in the cotton fields of the Sholapur District and also the value of the component parts of such mixtures. fSi"^ 94 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH +3 ^ o -8 +3 ce h eg a, a> CO ^ >«4 ^ 1 1— 1 '-N •i-i o^ +i ■^ ee flH to o •^ ^ to 1^ ?« ■g 5S ^ -P o CQ f^ T^ CC « -t-" ?^ ■>5 -t-' 'I cC ^ ^« ■^ ^ <» B ^ to ^5^ ^ o *•>. <4h 5 7 a; o -t-J '^ '<< o -^ ^T^ ^ •!— 1 to F fl « ^ r^ to di 5i '•o -'Tl CO "73 73 n S^ c« aj m CO o CD fH, ^ >= H ■" (D c« J O 03 t^ 4— ( CO 00 OS N oi ce 60 O -^ lb CD CD -^ CD M 5SI • as 1—1 !M ^ 0) O . CD 00 o o ■* CO US CO o o » 05 ■^ 7* CO ^ i ao ■^ lb lb (N -^ s CD f— * (M 1-t ca ^ s Si » 5 Js o CD CD "T? "* r- 6 o en 00 o eo CD 00 CO o (35 • o t-t ' — 1 1— ( 1— 1 f-t —I N >-^ =- S ? 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Frv^m July to Septeml>er 1911 and during Mav and June 1912. he was at Qnettii in cxmne^^tion with the development of the Fruit Industrv in Baluchistan. The services of Mr. E, Holmes-Smith, the Su|vrnumerarv Botanist, weiv terminated on 7th OctolxM- 1911. The Mycx'^logical Section was in charge of Pr F. J. Butler, thrv^ughout the year except from 17th June to 6tii July 1912. when he was on privilege leave : during this {^vriixi Mr. F. J. F. Shaw, the Supernumerary "Nlycv^^logist. officiated for him. Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy. the Imi^x'rial Fntomologist. was on long leave thn^ughout the year. "Nfr T Bainbrigge Fletcher. Supernumerary Entomologist, held charge of the section until April 19th. 1912. when he pi\xveded to Coim- Ivitore to take up the new ap^x»intment as Entomologist to the Government of Madras. Mr. A. J. Gn^ve ioined his appointment as Sujvrnumerary Entomologist on Octolvr 27th. 1911. and since Mr. Fletcher's transfer to Madras, has carried on the work of the Entomolosjical Section. The designation of the Second Imperial Entomologist has been altered to that of Imperial Pathological Entomolo- gist, and Mr. Howlett held charge of the section throughout the year. The Bacteriological Section was in charge of ^tr C M Hutchinson The Agricultural Section continued under the charge of Mr. A C. Dv^bhs. until April 27th. 1912. when he prv>- ceeded on leave Mr S. Milligan. Deputy Dinx-tor of INSTITr TK AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1011-12. 3 .\griciiJtnre, Punjab, has hjeen transferred to this Institute to take up the post of the Imperial Agrieulturist. l^r- joined the appointment on May 8th, 1012 Mr. H. Southern, Supernumerary Agriculturist, who had teen officiating Deputy Director of Agriculture, Madras, was transferred to the Punjab in April last to take up the ap- pointment vacated by Mr. Milligan. Mr. G. D. Mehta was appointed Supernumerary Agriculturist on 4th June 1911. Until 30th May 1912 he was working at Poona under the Government of Bombay and from that date he has been posted to the Central Provinces for training. Messrs. W. S. McGowan and Thomas Gilbert were appointed Supernumerary Agriculturists on 23rd February' 1912. The former is posted to Bihar and Orissa to act as Professor of Agriculture at the Agricultural College, Sabour, and the latter is working under the Government of Bombay. 3. Agriculture. — The rainfall during the year amounted to 56-30 inches. The monsoon arrived earlv and gave a plentiful rainfall. Floods, however, damaged the kharif crops, while late rain retarded the sowing of the rahi crop. The permanent manurial and rotation experiments started in 1908 with the object of studying the maintenance of the fertility of the soil have been continued. It is too soon yet to expect definite results from these experiments. The im- provement of the sugar-cane crop on the ridge and furrow system combined with intertillage has been taken up and promises to be an important advance upon the methods in vogue in Xorth India. It is proposed to apply the same svstem in a modified form to Fome of the kharif crops such as maize, which have already shown great improvement from liberal spacing and intertillage as well as from the free drainage induced by ridging. Among the use of che- mical manures the application of crude sulphate of soda to paddy gave an increase of 17 maunds of grain })er acre. This is a preliminary result requiring confirmation. The application of green manuring with son hemp combined with the moderate application of superphosphate at the time of sowing the san continues to give good results and is B 2 4 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the chief means by which the fertility on the farm is main- tained against heavy and continuous cropping. A new and important feature in the experimental work on the farm is a series of plots in which the biological factor connected with the use of green manuring as well as other bacteriological problems will be studied by the Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist in conjunction with the Im- perial Agriculturist. Too much stress cannot be laid on this work, which is now generally recognised as affording a most promising field for research into the principles underlying the fertility of soils. 4. Chemistry. — The work on the availability of plant food in soils and that of the moisture requirements of crops to which reference has been made in previous reports is being continued. The examination of water after passing through certain depths of soil continues to be carried out. It has been observed that not only is there less nitrate in the drainage water from the cropped soil than from fallow- land, but the deficiency could not be accounted for merely by assimilation by the crop. Dr. Leather, therefore, deduces that either less nitrate was formed in the presence of the crop or some other agent than the crop was assimilat- ing the nitrate. The investigations in Usar soil which have been going on for some years have so far not led to any very useful nor definite results. In the last Annual Report mention w^as made of the investigation into the date-palm sugar-industry which was carried on by Mr. Annett, the Supernumerary Agri- cultural Chemist. This has been continued during the past year and has led to an accumulation of very valuable in- formation on the subject, which is now in the press and will soon appear as one of the Memoirs of this Department. Besides recording the history of this industry Mr. Annett gives a good description of the cultivation and tapping of the palm and the manufacture of the raw and refined sugar. He found that the juice contains 8 to 10 per cent, of sucrose, associated with practically no glucose. This fact indicates that it is an exceedingly good materials for the production INSTITUTE AND COLLECIE, PUS A, FOR 1911-12. 6 of white sugar direct from the juice. Owing, however, to imperfect methods of collection, 1 to 2 per cent, glucose is formed during the night and this amount is again greatly increased by the subsequent primitive treatment, thereby occasioning very great loss in white sugar. In an account of this work Mr. iVnnett draws attention to the great improvements which have been introduced into the corre- sponding American Industry of Maple Sugar, though in this case the juice which forms the raw material contains only 3 per cent, of sucrose. If improved methods could })e applied to the Indian Palm Sugar Industry, there is no doubt not only that it would add to the profits of the sugar maker, but that the white sugar produced would assist to some extent in checking the encroachment of foreign white sugar into this country. The importance of this problem can be gauged by the fact that the production of sugar from the palm tree in India amounts to some 480,000 tons. Some important work has been carried on in the Che- mical Section during the year in the endeavour to establish a reliable method of milk tests for Indian cattle. When testing cows' milk in India two sources of error have to be guarded against; (1) if the periods between milking are not equal, the composition of the milk wdll be influenced, and (2) the calf will take an indefinite amount of milk if this is not controlled. In order to eliminate these sources of error the cows are milked exactly at intervals of 12 hours, and the calf is allowed to take the whole of the milk from only tw^o teats on one side of the udder, the other side being milked by hand and the calf being made to change the side every 24 hours. In this way the difficulties described were overcome. While great regularity was as a rule obtained in the composition of the milk, yet it was possible to observe characteristic differences. The chief of these was that the percentage of butter fat in the morning was greater than that in the evening milk by -5 to 1-5 per cent, and there was no exception to this rule. No systematic difference was found, in the composition of the milk, between the different sides of the udder. 6 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 5. Botany. — The wheat work continues to absorb a very large portion of the time of this section. The extended trials of the past year go to confirm previous results, and give prominence to the important fact that high yielding power and good grain qualities can be combined in the same plant. Stress is again laid upon the need of good cultiva- tion and the repeated favourable results obtained there- from entirely warrant this. As so much of the wheat ex- ported from India is grown under irrigation it was im- portant to ascertain by experiment whether wheats of good quality and high yielding power could be obtained in the canal districts. This has been done. Extended trials of the Pusa w^heats have been made at Cawnpore and yields of over 2,200 lbs. per acre and in one case of 2,500 lbs. were obtained with a single watering. That is to say it was obtained with one-third of the water usually used by the cultivators in the neighbourhood. As regards quality they were found to possess baking qualities equal, if not superior, to the wheats grown at Pusa without irrigation. Mr. Howard, in this year's report, gives detailed accounts of the results of the extensive trials which were made of his wheats, in the wheat tracts of India, to which reference is invited. Owing to the success of these experiments, a great demand has arisen in various parts of India for the new wheats. Arrangements have, therefore, been made, to grow during the coming season, a large stock of seed, which it is expected will meet all demands. Experiments on the influence of the environment on the quality are being continued and extended, with the ob- ject of finding out how far high quality in grain is possible in different wheat tracts. If wheat of good quality such as has been grown at Pusa and Cawnpore could be grown in any of the wheat tracts of India, the fact would be of very great importance, as the Indian wheats of commerce are mostly of poor quality. So fai' wheats grown on such varied soils as the alluvium and tlu^ black cotton soil did not lose their milling and baking qualities. Mr. Howard likewise maintains that in any particular wheat the condi- INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 1 tions which produce the highest yield are those which pro- duce the best quality. Not by any means the least important aspect of the work on wheat is that of breeding. Rust resistance, high yield, and strong straw in order to carry a heavy weight of grain are points to which attention is being particularly devoted. Amongst other important investigations are those con- nected with the tobacco plant. The object of these experi- ments is to endeavour to establish a suitable plant for the manufacture of cigarettes, which are fast supplanting the hooka. Three types Nos. 28, 29 and 32 were grown and were cured by a slight modification of the country method. The whole of the crop was sent to the Peninsular Tobacco Company at Monghyr and made into cigarettes. Type 28 was very well reported on and was valued at from Rs. 12 to Rs. 14 per maund which is a considerable advance on local prices, x^rrangements are now being made to repeat these results if possible amongst the cultivators. Gram is another important crop to which Mr. Howard has been giving his attention, and he has shown by prelimin- ary trials that there exists a very large margin on which to work out improvements both in yield and quality. Thus as the result of samples sent to Messrs. Ralli Brothers one variety was valued at Rs. 4-8-0 per cwt. and another at Rs. 5-8-0 per cwt. as compared with the price of Rs. 4-2-0 of the ordinary export varieties. The yields too were extraordinarily high being over 30 maunds per acre. The work on the botanical characteristics of fibre plants and the study of the methods of pollination in the various Indian crops are being continued. The development of the Fruit Industry of Baluchistan is a piece of work which is now assuming important pro- portions, and a fruit experiment station has been established about two miles from Quetta. It will take some little time before the model fruit garden comes into bearing, but in the mean time an old fruit garden has been taken over and improvements are being applied to it. The (juestions of packing and transport are being thoroughly gone into and 8 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the results of the past season's experiments give promise that the cheap, quick and safe transit of first quality fruit to any part of India will soon be an accomplished fact. 6. Mycology. — An investigation is in progress into the disease of paddy known as ufra which is causing great damage in the Noakhali and other districts of Eastern Bengal. At first it was not known whether it was caused by a fungus, an insect, or some other cause. A conjoint ento- mological and mycological investigation resulted in the exclusion of insects as the direct cause and suspicions have been thrown upon an eel- worm so small that it is barely visible by the naked eye. It is estimated that in the Begumganj Thana alone, in the Noakhali district, some 200,000 maunds of grain was destroyed in 1910, and last year about half the crop was destroyed. The disease also occurs in Comilla, Chandpur, and the neighbourhood of Dacca. Dr. Butler, the Imperial Mycologist, is devoting special attention to this disease. Mr. F. J. F. Shaw, the Supernumerary Mycologist, has devoted a great deal of attention to the rot induced by the soil-dwelling parasite known as Rhizoctonia. Its exist- ence is very widespread, and it attacks crops such as pota- toes, jute, groundnut, cow-pea and cotton, though so far cereal crops fortunately appear to be immune to this disease. Good tillage and a suitable rotation of crops are thought to be the best ways of preventing its ravages. Further work has been done on wheat rust, which is a serious disease in this country in certain years. Thus there was last year a severe attack in the Central Provinces, the first for a number of years. The damage was caused by the variety known as " Orange " rust (Puccinia triticina) and much of the loss in 1912 must be attributed to it. In breed- ing rust resistant wheats therefore, for the Central Pro- vinces, Dr. Butler is of opinion that this variety of rust should be taken into account, as well as the '' black " rust {Puccinia grarriinis) which does much damage in normal years. The variety known as " yellow " rust (Puccinia glumarum), does not appear to be of importance. Diseases due to Phytoplithora, Sugarcane diseases, among others one INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PCSA, FOR 1911-12. 9 resembling Sereli and occurring on the Jorhat Farm in Assam, the Betelnut Pahn disease, the Indigo disease and other diseases, connected with tea, cotton and coffee, as well as diseases of forest trees, have engaged the attention of this section during the year. A very large amount of systematic work has also been done, and some hundreds of specimens, of plant parasites for the most part, have been added to the named herbarium collection. Two ^^arts of the list of Indian fungi were pre- pared in collaboration with Messrs. H. and P. Sydow of Berlin, and published — containing some 300 species of Indian fungi, of which more than a hundred were new to * science. 7. Entomology. — In Madras a campaign has been car- ried out against the Deccan Grass-hopper. The method known as " bagging "" was adopted, more or less successfully, and the ploughing of infested lands was carried out. Besides this a leaflet was issued in English, and in the verna- cular, giving a description of the methods to be adopted against this pest. Experiments against White Ants were continued in the Central Provinces. The application of kerosene oil was found most effective in dealing with the mound-building variety of termites. The collection and despatch to tlie Punjab of parasites of ihe cotton boll-worm formed an important aspect of the work of the section, as dependence is placed upon this parasite in order to keep in check the ravages of the insect. This method of controlling this pest is being adopted in Egypt, and parasites have recently been sent to that country for this purpose. A leaflet has been issued in the vernacular explaining how this remedy should be used. In the United Provinces measures have been adopted against the Rice Grass-hopper which has become a serious pest of sugar-cane in that province. The method of storing seed potatoes in sand as a protection against the l^otato moth was successfully demonstrated to cultivators in Bengal. At Mokameh a campaign was or- ganised against Agrotis ypsilon, a caterpillar which has been destroying the crops in that region. The picking off 10 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH of the first brood of caterpillars and the setting up of the And res- Mai re traps reduced the damage to such an extent that, out of a total area of 20,000, only 2,000 bighas were affected. Sericulture has continued to claim a large amount of the attention of the section. Experiments are in hand for crossing the Indian multivoltine variety of mulberry silk-worm with the univoltine races from Europe, with the object of producing a superior silk-producing multivoltine hybrid. If this work is successful it will go a very long way towards placing the Indian silk industry, now in a ' precarious position, on a more stable footing. Eri-silk culture, Lac-culture and Api-culture continue to occupy the attention of the section. 8. Pathological Entomology. — This section, which was formerly styled the Second Entomological Section, now con- fines its attention to entomological work connected with the diseases of men and animals, and its name has in conse- quence been changed. Its relation with medical work has now become much closer, and, through the good services of the Medical Research Fund, the addition of three posts has been made to the subordinate staff'. These extra men will be occupied exclusively with Medical Entomology, while there will be two men available for Veterinary and general work. Special attention has been paid to the genus St ego my ia and allied forms of the mosquito owing to the possibility of importation of Yellow Fever into India from the Panama Canal, and a course of instruction has been given to medical officers belonging to the " Stegomyia Survey." Investi- gations are in progress on the influence of temperature, range of flight, food, breeding places, etc., and on the natural enemies of mosquito-larvae. The other subjects that are receiving attention are tlie breeding places and liabits of Phleboto/nus, the life history of the Crab-louse, the parasites of Tahanus alhimedius, Monophlehus stehhingi, and the life history of Celyphida^. The East Indian Railway school at Jharipani was success- INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 11 fully rid of a plague of bugs by the application of hydro- cyanic acid. 9. Bacteriology. — The principal work of this section during the past year has been the study of the factors which determine the biological activity of Indian soils, and the devising of methods by which this activity may be ascer- tained and measured. The usual plan of estimating bacteria by '' plating " has been abandoned in favour of the measure- ment of their resulting physiological activities. Thus, for example, it has been ascertained that the biological activity of a soil is in direct proportion to the rate of formation of carbon dioxide, and that conditions unfavourable to the former will also adversely influence the latter. It is possi- ble in this way to determine the optimum conditions of moisture content, the effect of the addition of various manures, organic and mineral, and the influence which tillage will have upon any particular soil. The biolysis of green manures, root residues, and organic manures, in so far as they form the supply of available nitrogen, has been undertaken. It has been found that important differences exist in the biological changes that take place in Indian and Euro- pean soils. These differences appear to be due mainly to the relatively higher temj^eratures and consequent greater bacterial activity of Indian soils. At temperatures between 15° C. and 18° C. the formation of ammonia is in pro- portion to the nitrification which follows it, but when temperatures rise from 25° C. to 30° C. ammonification may proceed with such rapidity that nitrification is inter- fered with, and even inhibited altogether, by an excess of ammonia. If, therefore, large quantities of organic matter are applied to a soil, much nitrogen may be lost in the form of ammonia — which shows the necessity that exists for selecting the most suitable time of year for applying organic manures. It has also been ascertained that where intense bacterial action is taking place in a soil, nitrates present will be reduced, without the occurrence of anserobic condi- tions, lending support to the belief that the nitrate is 12 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH utilised as a source of nitrogen by the bacteria themselves. These considerations tend to show what great care should be exercised in a tropical country like India in the treat- ment of the soil, if its supplies of plant food are not to be dissipated or wasted, and it also confirms the opinion which is now ripening into positive fact, that the study of the biologic factor in soils is of supreme importance, and that very important results are to be expected from it. A special enquiry, also, is proceeding into the conditions determining the formation of bacterio-toxins in soils, and into their effect on crops. 10. Trainmg— The training of students on the lines laid dowm in the Prospectus was continued, and short courses were also given in Cattle and Poultry manage- ment. Sericulture and Lac cultivation. Of the two post- graduate students in Agricultural Chemistry, admitted in the previous year, one continued his course, but the training of the second was terminated, as he was considered not likely to prove himself an efficient assistant. The two stu- dents in Entomology, mentioned in the previous year's report, left during the year ; one after completing his course, and the other before its completion, as he was recalled to his province. The Assistant Director of Agriculture, Punjab, who was deputed to this Institute for a two years' course in general agriculture, completed his training on 21st August 1911, and returned to his province. During the year under report four new students were admitted for training in Agricultural Chemistry. Of these, two are Government stipendiaries (one from Bengal and one from the Travancore State) and two are private students. A private student deputed by the Department of Agriculture, Travancore, was admitted, for training in general entomology. The Agricultural Department of Bihar and Orissa have deputed an Entomological and Mycological Collector for training in Mycology and Ento- mology. One advanced student from the Agricultural Department of the Central Provinces was given training, INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PFSA, FOT^ 1911-12. 13 in the Botanical Section, from October 1st, 1911, to the end of April 1912. During the year under report, 33 students attended the short courses — two in ' Cattle management,' one in ' Poultry management,' seventeen in ' Sericulture ' and thirteen in ' Lac cultivation.' ■ 11. Buildings and Works. — During the yeai' under report two small supplementary Laboratories were con- structed, dejDartmentally, for the use of the Imperial Agri- cultural Bacteriologist and the Imperial Pathological Entomologist, respectively. Residential quarters were also constructed for the use of the Superintendent of the Office of the Agricultural Adviser. 12. Library. — ^The Library is rapidly becoming over- crowded. Proposals for its extension have been submitted. During the year under report about 1,400 volumes have been added. 13. Publications. — The issue of the Journal, Memoirs and Bulletins was continued. The Department published during the year 14 Memoirs and 4 Bulletins, against 7 Memoirs and an equal number of Bulletins in the previous year. As noted in the last year's report, the Provincial Departments are supplying an increasing volume of contri- butions for these publications. In consequence of the abolition of the Journal of Tropical Veterinary Science from 1st April 1912, it has been decided that articles of a popular character on veterinary subjects should be inserted in the Agricultural Journal of India. Contributions unsuited for the Journal, by reason of their being too technical, will be published in the form of Veterinary Memoirs which are now among the Scientific Memoirs issued by the Agi'icultural Depart- ment. They will be issued from time to time as matter becomes available. The editing committee has been strengthened by the appointment of the Imperial Bacterio- logist, Muktesar, as a co-editor. The grant for the agri- cultural periodicals and Journal, which was curtailed / 14 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH during the previous year to Rs. 23,000 remained unaltered during the year under report, but the Government of India have added Rs. 2,000 for Veterinary Memoirs, so that the total grant for publications now amounts to Rs. 25,000. As the work of the Department expands the matter for publication likewise increases, and the present grant will not be sufficient. It will be necessary to increase the funds for this work. 14. General Health of the Station. — The general health of the station during the year under report was good. Relief was afforded to 9,081 new cases, of which 8,913 were treated in the out-patients department, and 168 admitted as indoor patients an increase of 1,424 cases over last year's total. The increase in attendance was due to the great prevalence of malarial fevers and cholera in the surrounding villages. Two hundred and ninety-nine cases amongst European officers and families were attended to, an increase of a hundred and fifty-three over last year's total. The daily average number of patients treated was 7-59 indoor and 53-6 outdoor against 7-87 and 49-05 respectively during the previous twelve months. Five deaths occurred in hospital — Two from cholera. One from malarial cachexia. One from dysentery. One from phthisis and pneumonia. Nine cases of cholera occurred among the families of the Indian staff during the months of May and June 1912 with two deaths. Immediate and successful measures were taken to prevent the disease spreading in Pusa, in- cluding the thorough cleansing and disinfection of all the wells in the Estate. One hundred and twenty-one surgical operations were performed, of which twenty-five were major and ninety-six minor operations. Quinine was issued prophylactically on the Estate, to- wards the close of the monsoon. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. IS Twenty- four primary vaccinations and eight revaccina- tions were performed in the early part of the year. 15. Accounts. — The total expenditiiie during the finan- cial year 1911-12 was Rs. 3,04,045, as under : — Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa — Office of the Director .... 69,015 Chemical Section . . . . Mycological Section Entomological Section Pathological Entomological Section Botanical Section . . . . Bacteriological Section Agricultural Section 41,012 19,622 37,345 24,188 41,542 22,108 49,213 Total . 3,04,045 16. Visitors. — Visitors to Pusa between 1st July 1911 to 30th June 1912, numbered among others : — The Hon'ble Mr. Syed Ali Imam, C.S.I., Bar.-at-Law, Member in charge of the Legislative Department, Gov- ernment of India. Mr. Abdul Aziz, Bar.-at-Law, Peshawar. Mr. C. V. Piper of the United States Department of Agriculture, America. The Hon'ble Sir E. W. Carlyle, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., I.C.S., Member in charge of the Department of Revenue and Agriculture, Government of India. The Hon'ble Mr. W. H. Clark, C.S.I., C.M.G., Member in charge of the Department of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Mr. R. Nagamine, Director of the Government Stock Farm in Formosa. Mr. T. Kawakami, Director of the Government Museum, Formosa. Lieutenant-Colonel C. iS^orie, Dehra Dun. Mr. D. Quinlan, M.R.C.V.S., Superintendent, Civil Vete- rinary Department, Bengal. The Hon'ble Surgeon-General Sir C. P. Lukis, M.D., F.R.C.S., K.C.S.I., Director General. Indian Medico] Service. 1.6 REPORT OF THE AGRTCULTDRAL RESEARCH The Hon'ble Mr. R. C. C. Carr, T.C.S., Officer on Special Duty in tlie Board of Revenue, Madras. Mr. A. E. Andrews, Entomologist to the Indian Tea Association. Dr. A. D. Imms, Forest Zoologist. Dr. H. Morstatt, Entomologist at Amani, German East Africa. Munshi Akhtar Mohammad Khan, Deputy Collector in the United Provinces. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 17 REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURIST. (S. MiLLIGAN, M.A., B.Sc.) 1. Charge and Establishment. — The Pusa Farm and Experimental Station continned under the charge of Mr. Dobbs, Assistant Inspector General of Agriculture in India, till April 28tb, 1912, when he proceeded on leave. I joined my appointment as Imperial Agriculturist on May 8th. Mr. H. Southern, B.A., Supernumerary Agriculturist, who had been officiating Deputy Director of Agriculture, Madras, was transferred to the Punjab in April last, to take up a similar appointment there. Mr. Ganpatlal Dayashanker Mehta, L.Ag., B.A., N.D.A., N.D.D., late of the Bombay Agricultural Depart- ment, was appointed Supernumerary Agriculturist on 4th June, 1911, and has been on deputation under the Bombay Government at Poona. Mr. Judah Hyam, Veterinary Overseer, continued in charge of the breeding herds. He obtained three months' leave from July to October during which period Mr. L. S. Joseph officiated for him. Messrs. Md. Ikramuddin and Md. Ziauddin Hyder held the appointments of Farm Overseers throughout the year. Mr. Ikramuddin arranged the camps of the Board of Agriculture and of the Tirhut Agricultural Show at Pusa, and his services in this connection were acknow- ledged by both bodies. Mr. Nizamuddin Hyder of the staff of the Inspector General of Agriculture had charge of the poultry-breeding experiments until 26th October 1911, when he reverted to his original post on the staff of the Fibre Expert to the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam. Mr. Ali Mur- taza, Fieldman, was appointed in his place. c 18 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 2. Training. — Mr. M. Fatehnddin, B.A., Assistant Director of Agriculture, Punjab, completed his two years' course of training in general agriculture on 21st August, 1911. and returned to the Punjab. Three students attended the short courses on Cattle- breeding and Poultry management. 3. Character of the Season. — The rainfall during the year amounted to 56-30". The monsoon arrived early and gave copious rainfall throughout its duration. Three severe floods damaged the kharif crops considerably and a late flood retarded the sowings of the rabi crop. The oat crop sustained some damage through late winter rains. 4. Croyfing. — The following is a list of crops grown : — barley, oats, wheat, castor, bhindi, sugar-cane, jute, rice, maize, arhar (Cajanus indicus). Other crops grown on small plots for the Entomological Section included a num- ber of millets and pulses, 5. Cattle-breeding Herd. — The numbers of the breeding herd are as follows : — Cows 74, Bulls 5, Young stock 1 1 8 against „ 69, „ 8. „ „ 105 in 1911 Eleven cows, one bull and 19 young cattle have been sold during the year. An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in August 1911 caused the death of nine of the young stock. There was, however, no mortality in the milking herd from this cause. Three cases (all fatal) of black quarter occurred in June of this year. The Veterinary Overseer is to be congratulated on the prompt and successful measures undertaken to pre- vent an epidemic of this disease. The local Veterinary Department rendered valuable assistance in preventive in- oculation. 6. Sheep. — The Gorakhpur sheep continue to do well. Dumbha rams are still used for crossing. The progeny will be used as a basis for the further improvement of wool production. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PFSA, FOR 1911-12. 19 7. Pastures. — As indicated in last year's report a 4-acre plot was laid down to permanent pasture after a green manure. 8. Clearing and Levelling. — Roads have been constructed in the low-lying brick-field area and a portion of the waste land reclaimed. 9. Fodder. — The economic value of guinea g^ass as a fodder has been established and returns up to 350 maunds per acre obtained. 10. Imflements and Machinery. — The wheat and oat crops were mostly cut by machines. The futility of a short cutting bar was demonstrated by the average daily work of two machines, viz. : — A. 4-i ft. cut . , , 5| acres per day. -D. O ,, . , . O „ ,, The general cultivation has been much improved by the use of light ploughs of the Rajah and Punjab types which suit local conditions. Spring toothed harrows have been found useful in pre- paring land for crops and maintaining summer fallows. 11. Experiments. — The following experiments are in progress and will be continued — (1) The permanent manurial and rotation experi- ments started in 1908. {2) The improvement of the sugar-cane crop by trenching, earthing up and intertillsige. [3) Experiments with regard to the sprouting of sugar-cane sets. A promising start was made last year bv steeping the sets in water at 100° F. (4) The application of crude sulphate of soda to paddy. An increase of 17 maunds of grain per acre on a 5-acre experiment was obtained last year. This preliminary result requires confirmation as information regarding the uniformity of the plots treated was not com- plete. c 2 20 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 12. Poultry. — The following 5 out of 31 breeds imported and put under trial have been selected as suitable for the country and for crossing purposes : — (1) Buff Orpington. (2) White Wyandotte. (3) Chittagong. (4) Lakha Game. (5) Mammoth Bronze Turkeys. Owing to the rejection of unsuitable breeds, the gene- ral condition of the birds has shown a great improvement on previous years. 13. Programme of work for 1912-13. In addition to the permanent experiments recorded above the following will be undertaken : — General. — The organization of the estate work has been recently altered and the fieldmen now hold charge of inde- pendent sections. It is hoped that a more intimate acquaintance with the varying soil conditions will be made possible. The large low-lying brick-field area will be further sub- divided by roads. A good deal of levelling remains to be done liefore much detailed field experimenting can be undertaken, but this work will be pushed on as rapidly as possible. Cro'pping. — A great improvement has been made in the general cultivation by the adoption of regular rotations. A special study of the maintenance of the fertility of the soil under the rotation and system of manuring adopted will be made. This system includes a dressing of superphosphate applied directly to a green manure. Quantitative esti- mates of the artificial manures necessary and the period of application will be made. Field experiments have been started in collaboration with the Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist to gain in- INSTITTTTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 21 formation regarding the decomposition of green manures under varying conditions of — (a) Water content of the soil, (b) Air content of the soil, (c) Age of plant at time of burying, (d) Depth of burying, and as to the effect of such manures on the condition of the soil. Cultivation. — Special investigations as to the value of intertillage by bullock implements in maize and sugar-cane will be undertaken. Correct spacings for maize both as a fodder and grain crop will be studied. An improvement in the methods of working the heavier low-lying land appears to be necessary and improved imple- ments will be given a trial. Breeding Herd. — The present Montgomery herd is doing satisfactorily, although the milk yield is not as high as might be desired. Owing to the demand for milk from the subordinate staff and the want of budget provision for extensive purchases a rigid selection of the best milking cows has not been possible. This tends to keep down the average yields. Line breeding will be necessary as pedi- gree cattle of this breed are not obtainable in the country. Sheep. — The young Gorakhpur Dumbha cross ewes will be used as a foundation for further improvements in wool production. It seems necessary to investigate what type of fleece is the most suitable for sheep in the plains of Northern India, whether a loose coat with a good length of staple or a close fine coat. It is also necessary to regularize and limit the lambing period, to cast the ewes at regular ages, and to employ a more rigid selection as regards wool. Pastures. — A study of the agricultural characters of pasture grasses and legumes will be undertaken with a view to the sowing of mixtures instead of pure cultures of duhk. The effect of rolling, harrowing and topping pastures will 22 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEAROfi be noted. The rough river-side grazing areas will be sys- tematically cut and grazed with the object of their ulti- mate improvement. The question of the cheapening of the present methods of laying out of land to pasture will be taken up. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 23 REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMIST. (J. Walter Leather, Ph.D., F.I.C, F.C.S.) 1. Charge and Establishment. — This section was in the charge of myself during the whole year. Mr. H. E. Annett, Supernumerary Agricultural Chemist, returned to duty at Pusa on 6th November 1911 from Cawnpore, where he had been acting as Principal of the Agricultural College. He left Pusa again on May 9th, 1912, to act as Agricultural Chemist, Punjab. Mr. Bhailal Motibhai Amin has continued on dejDuta- tion at the Sirseah Indigo Research Station. Babus Narain Lai Tewari and Narendra Nath Mitra, M.Sc. (All.), are the two new assistants, who have been appointed to fill vacancies which had occurred. 2. Meteorology — In addition to the usual meteorological observations which are submitted to the Meteorological Department monthly, records are maintained of {i) pressure by means of a barograph, (ii) soil temperatures at depths of 1 in. down to 2 ft. from the land surface by means of maximum and minimum thermometers, and {Hi) evapora- tion from a plain water surface. 3. Drainage Data. — The amount of water which drains annually from fallow land and from land bearing crops is determined at Pusa and at Cawnpore by means of gauges, descriptions of which have been published.* The water is analysed regularly in regard to certain constitu- ents, such as nitrogen compounds and mineral matters. The records of the first few years have been published as a Memoirt of this Department. The chief deductions ad- missible from these records were detailed in my last annual report. * Annual Eeport of Cawnpore Farm, 1905-06, pajje 23. and Memoir of the Di.'partment of Agriculture in India, Chemical Series, Vol. I, No. 5. t Memoir of the Depai-tment of Agriculture in India, Chemical Serie.s, Vol. II, No. 2. 24 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Among the observations made was that not only was there less nitrate in the drainage water from the cropped soil than from the fallow land, but that the deficiency could not be accounted for merely by assimilation by the crop. Either less nitrate was formed in the presence of the crop or some other agent than the crop was assimilat- ing the nitrate. The crops had been wheat and maize at Pusa. In order to test if a like result is obtainable when other crops are grown, the maize has been replaced by sunn hemp; and wheat is grown in rotation on one gauge only. In this manner it is hoped to ascertain whether there is a deficiency of nitrate in the drainage water from this system of cropping as there was from the wheat-maize. Reference was also made in my last report to estima- tions of nitrate in fallow land throughout the season. These were continued last monsoon and cold weather and will be repeated during the coming cold weather. 4. The Water Requirements of Crops. — Work was con- tinued on this subject during last cold weather, more espe- cially with reference to the transpiration ratio of crops grown in the Cawnpore soil. This soil had not been em- ployed previously in the pot-culture experiments at Pusa and also the field experiments at Cawnpore had been inter- fered with by bad seasons. The pot-cultures yielded ratios very similar to what had been obtained in other soils. The field plots yielded results which differed from those at Pusa chiefly in the fact that the soil moisture was drawn upon by the plant from a greater depth than was the case at Pusa. 5. Soils. IJsar. — The nature of the work on usar soil in the United Provinces has been indicated in previous reports, and especially in my last year's report. The ex- amination of the soils taken from alkali spots in the Muttra and Etah Districts left no doubt that these alkali spots are identical in character whether they occur under well or under canal irrigation. The experiments which have been in progress at Pusa on some soil which was taken originally INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 25 from good land closely contiguous to alkali land, and which were designed to demonstrate whether such soil would become usar if maintained in a water-logged state, have not so far yielded a definite answer. Both soils were ex- amined after being under experiment for two years, and one was apparently still quite good; in respect of the other there was a doubt as to whether it had changed somewhat. The whole series of tests were reported upon to the Director of Land Records and Agriculture and to the Chief Engineer, Irrigation Branch, United Provinces. A series of samples of soil from Quetta were submitted to me for examination by the Irrigation Officer in Baluchis- tan, the question being whether irrigation was causing the lands to become saline. It was known from analyses made by me in 1909 how very saline the water of the Sheboo canal frequently is, and there is a natural suspicion that irrigation with it must lead to an accumulation of salts in the soil. The examination of the soils showed that in three cases out of four the irrigated land was less readily perme- able to water than the unirrigated, and in two cases the irrigated land contained rather more salts. The difficulty in making a reliable deduction in questions such as this lies in the fact that the changes which may be going on are only slow and hence frequently difficult to detect. 6. Saltpetre. — Further experiments were made during the year on an improved method for refining crude saltpetre. The filter, which had worked very well at the Allahabad Exhibition, proved, when made of a considerably larger size, to be defective, and experiments are now being con- ducted with another class of filter which it is hoped will be more efficient. The refined saltpetre was sold in Calcutta without any difficulty at full market rates. 7- Sugar. — Work on sugar during the past year has in- cluded {i) an examination of the date sugar industry, {ii) testing the effect of removal of cobs from maize which results in an accumulation of sugar in the stem, (m) esti- mating the error which is involved in sampling sugar-cane, 26 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH and (iv) an examination of sugar beet roots which were grown near Peshawar. 8. The Date Palm Sugar Industry. — As mentioned in my last annual report, an investigation of the date palm sugar industry was commenced at my suggestion by Mr. Annett during the cold weather of 1910-11. This was con- tinued during the cold weather of 1911-12 and has resulted in an accumulation of some very valuable information on the subject. In addition to a review of its past history, Mr. Annett has been able, by spending some months in the Jessore District, to obtain an intimate knowledge of the present conditions of the industry, its agriculture, mode of cultivation, tapping, and manufacture of the raw and re- fined sugars. Also he conducted a long series of tests in camp in Jessore on the quantity and composition of the juice, the amount of decomposition and the means by which this might be prevented. Mr. Annett found that the fresh juice contains 8 to 10 per cent, of sucrose associated with practically no glucose, but that owing to imperfect methods of collection, 1 to 2 per cent, of glucose is formed during the night. There are also subsequently further losses of sugar during the boiling process, which is at present carried out in small earthen pots, and again during the native refin- ing processes losses of sugar occur. In an account of this work, which is to be published, Mr. Annett refers to the great improvements which have been introduced into the corresponding American industry — the maple sugar manu- facture— in which case it is to be noted that a iuice con- taining only some 3 per cent, of sugar forms the " raw material." If one can afford to employ good appliances and perfected methods in that industry, it should certainly be possible to apply them to India's date sugar. The reference to this investigation would be incomplete without an acknowledgment to Mr. E. G. McLeod of Kotechandpur, who rendered Mr, Annett very considerable assistance and provided him with detailed information of the profits and losses of his (Mr. McLeod's) factory. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 27 9. De-cobbing Maize Plants. — Several Agricultural Journals* have contained notes on the effect of removing- the cobs from maize plants prior to fertilisation by the pollen, this process being said to result in an accumulation of sugar in the stem. Experiments were made by Mr. A. C. Dobbs, Assistant Inspector General of Agriculture, during last monsoon period in order to test the effect of the process and to ascertain whether it would prove itself a useful one. Analyses of the plants showed that an increase of sugar (sucrose) did occur; in one case the cane sugar rose from 2 per cent, to 9 per cent., the percentage referring to the weight of stem, but the process was not considered on the whole to be an economical one. 10. Ex'perimenial Error in Sampling Sugar-cane. — It will be readily appreciated that when a sample of cane is taken from a field which is supposed to represent the whole, an error is involved, and the examination of the sample will not show the average composition of the whole but will depart from the true value to a greater or less degree. It is also obvious that not only is a knowledge of the magni- tude of this error of importance, but also that it is very desirable to know how to take a sample of sugar-cane in order to free the result of such errors as far as possible. Some tests were made in 1910 and again this year with the sugar-cane crop which were designed to elucidate the subject, but it will be necessary to carry out a third series of tests during the coming season in order to arrive at definite conclusions. In illustration it may be mentioned that if a sample of 3 or 6 canes is taken from a field the " probable error " is about 1 per cent, to 2 per cent, in the sucrose determination. By taking more and more canes in the " sample " the error becomes naturally smaller, but even if one -fourth of the crop of a n)-acre plot be crushed, an appreciable error still remains, and one- fourth of such a crop is a large quantity of cane. It is the size of the smallest necessary sample to be taken in order to secure an * Agricultural Journal of the Union of South Africa, Vol. I, No. 4, p. 540. Agricultural News, Vol. X, No. 234, p. 115. 28 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH error less than a certain magnitude that we desire to estimate. 11. Sugar Beet Roots. — Some samples of sugar beets which had been grown near Peshawar by the Superintendent of Farms were examined and the result is of interest because one lot included beets of a high grade. The percentage of sucrose varied in this lot between 17 per cent, and 20 per cent, of sucrose in the juice, demonstrating that very good sugar beet could be grown in Northern India if desired. 12. Milk. — In co-operation with Mr. A. C. Dobbs a series of tests were made during the year on the quantity and composition of the milk of the Montgomery herd at Pusa which have led to some interesting results- The work will not be completed until next year, but the following will indicate its nature. When testing cows' milk in India two sources of error must be guarded against : {i) if the periods between milking are not equal the composition of the milk will be influenced, and {ii) the calf takes an indefinite quantity of the milk unless this is specially controlled. In order to eliminate these sources of error the cows were milked at 12 hour intervals, and the calf allowed to take the whole of the milk from only one side of the udder, the other half being milked by hand. The cows were milked by hand for 24 hours on (say) the right hand side of the udder whilst the calf took the milk from the left hand side, and then during the succeeding 24 hours the left side would be hand-milked, whilst the calf took milk from the right side. Moreover the diurnal change from the right hand side to the left hand side was made in the morning for one month, and in the evening during the next month. During one period of two months the milk of the fore and hind quarters of the udder of three cows was separately examined. By these means great regularity was obtained in the composition of the milk and several characteristic differ- ences were observed. The most prominent was the differ- ence between the percentage of fat in the morning and even- ing milk; the former always contained from -5 to 15 per INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 29 cent, more than the latter; the difference was greater with seme than with other cows, but no cow was an exception to the rule. No systematic difference was found in the com- position of the milk of the one side of the udder and the other side, but a systematic difference was observed with two cows in the composition of the milk of the fore quarter udder and hind quarter respectively. This latter point was tested with only three cows, so that whether this is a common or an exceptional characteristic of the cows is not yet known. The percentage of fat in the milk of this herd has been about 4 to 5 per cent, in the morning and 3 to 4 per cent, in the evening, which is less than has been found for Sind and Gir cows at Poona. Regarding the yield of miilk this was found to be from 5 to 6 lbs. per day obtained by hand, to which must be added the like quantit}^ taken by the calf, making 10 to 12 lbs. or say 5 to 6 seers daily which is also less than what the Sind and Gir cows yield. 13. Education. — There are at present five students in this section; three of these being Government stipendiary students, one each from Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and Travancore; and two private students. One of the students mentioned in my last report was considered not likely to prove himself an efficient assistant and he was consequently not permitted to complete his full course of study. One student of the Entomological Section took a special course of photography. 14. Programme of work for 1912-13. 1. The work on the availability of plant food in soils will be continued. 2. In the current work on the moisture requirements of crops, the effect of different proportions of moisture in various soils for various crops is being ascertained. 3. The investigation of the chemistry and manufacture of date palm sugar will be continued. 4. Experiments on possible improvements in the manu- facture of saltpetre will be continued. 80 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 5. The experimental error in sampling sugar-cane is being ascertained. 6. The effect of certain factors, such as climatic changes, time of milking, etc., on the composition of cow's milk, is being investigated. 7. Education. — This requires no special comment and will be conducted according to the lines laid down. 16. Publications. The following papers have been published : — 1. ''Records of Drainage in India." — Memoir of the Depart- ment of Agriculture in India, Chemical Series, Vol. II, No. 2, January 1912. 2. "Flow of Water and Air through Soils." — Journal of Agri- cultural Science, Vol. IV, Part 3. 3. The effect of (i) alkali and (ii) iw.per me ability in soils on plant growth. — (VIII International Congress of Applied Chemistry.) 4. Method for the determination of the rate of percolation of water through soils. — (VIII International Congress of Applied Chemistry.) 5. Report on Industrial and Agricultural Chemistry for the Board of Scientific Advice (by Messrs. Leather, Hooper and Puran Singh). 6. Date Palm Sugar. — Memoir of the Department 6i Agri- culture in India {in the press). INSTITUTE AND COLI.EGE, PTJSA, FOR 1911-12. 31 REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL ECONOMIC BOTANIST. (A. Howard, M.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S.) Part I. Teaching, Training and Staff. Charge. — I held charge of the section at Pusa during the period under review, namely, the year ending June 30th, 1912. Students. — One advanced student from the Agricul- tural Department of the Central Provinces worked in the section from October 1st, 1911 to the end of April 1912. This student made considerable progress in spite of his want of familiarit}^ with growing crops. Staff. — The appointment of a Personal Assistant has very materially facilitated the working of the section and, at the same time, has greatly increased the volume of results obtained. During the months July to September 1911 and during May and June of 1912, when I was at Quetta, the Second Assistant, Moulvi Abdur Rahman Khan, was in charge of current work at Pusa and I have pleasure in re- porting that he carried out his duties in a very satisfactory manner. The monsoon season of 1911 was a difficult one due to the excessive rainfall, but in spite of this the tobacco crop was good and the rest of the land in the botanical area compared favourably with anything I saw in the neighbour- hood on my return to Pusa at the end of September. The work of the rest of the staff was satisfactory. Part II. Wheat Investigations. The w^heat investigations at Pusa have been extended duriner the past year and results of considerable value have been obtained. 32 REPORT OF THE AGRICTULTURAL RESEARCH Trials of Pusa Wheats in India. During the rabi season of 1911-12 extensive trials of wheats were made in most of the important wheat tracts of India. As these trials have, in many cases, passed the experimental stage and the wheats are being grown on a large scale for seed distribution, the present seems a fitting opportunity of summing up the results so far obtained and of giving a connected idea of this portion of the wheat investigations. One of the first results of the wheat investigations at Pusa was the demonstration of the fact that varieties with milling and baking qualities similar to those of the best wheats on the English market could be grown to perfection in Bihar under barani conditions. By the application of modern methods of selection and hybridization these high grain qualities were successfully combined with high yielding power, rust-resistance and strong straw so that wheats were produced which gave upwards of 2,500 lbs. of grain to the acre without irrigation or manure. In one case, a yield of 2,832 lbs. to the acre was obtained at Pusa. These new^ wheats were then thoroughly tested in England, both in the mill and bakehouse, and were found to behave like Manitoba spring wheats, which are in greatest demand for bread-making in England and which command the high- est prices on the Home markets. In this portion of the work I was fortunate enough to secure the co-operation of Mr. A. E. Humphries, a past President of the Incorporated Society of British and Irish Millers. The next stage in these investigations was to extend the trials to other wheat-growing areas in India. These were carried out during the rabi seasons of 1910-11 and 1911-12 and the results are summed up below. United Provinces. — As most of the wheat exported frorp India is grown under irrigation, it was important to ascer- tain by actual trials whether high grain quality and higli yield could also be obtained under canal irrigation. For- tunately in this portion of the investigations the active co-operation of Mr. H. Martin Leake (Economic Botanist INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 33 to the Government of the United Provinces) was secured and extended trials of the Pusa wheats have been carried out during the past three years at Cawnpore. The results obtained were most satisfactory. In the first place, it was found that yields over 2,200 lbs. per acre and in one case as high as 2,500 lbs. could be obtained with one watering, that is, with one-third the water usually employed by the cultivators in the neighbourhood. In the second place, the appearance and milling and baking qualities of the wheats were at least equal to those grown at Pusa under barani conditions. This was the verdict of Mr. Humphries, who, in 1911, tested the same kinds grown at Cawnpore under canal irrigation and at Pusa as a dry crop. During the last rabi season, one of the Pusa wheats was grown at Cawnpore without any irrigation water at all and a yield of 1,650 lbs. to the acre was obtained, a remarkable result in a canal-irrigated tract. The Cawnpore trials, which had extended over three seasons and which were uniformly successful, were repeated on a small scale on the Aligarh Farm in 1910-11 and again in 1911-12 on a large scale by Dr. Parr, Deputy Director of Agriculture. The yields obtained during the last season are given in the table below. Trial of Pusa wheat at Aligarh, 1911-12. Name. Yield in lbs. per acre. Pusa 22 2,098 Pusa 8 2,139 Pusa 12 2,510 During the last rahi season the Pusa wheats have been grown on a considerable scale by the tenants of the Court 34 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH of Wards Estates in the District of Kheri. The following are some of the results obtained by these cultivators : — Results of the Pusa tvheats grown hy ryots under the Court of Wards Estate, Kheri. Name of wheat. Pusa 12 Pusa 12 Pusa 10] Name of estate or circle. Kaimalua Rajapore Mankapore Bhulanpore Amirtaganj Rasulpanah Tendhua Previous treatment of laud. Un manured Ditto . Ditto Ditto Manured Ditto Ditto Yield })cr acre in lbs. 2/222 1,619 2,057 ],935 1,285 1,503 1,234. It will be seen that in the United Provinces the trials have extended over three years at Cawnpore and two years at Aligarh and the wheats have also been grown by culti- vators. In all cases they have been successfuL Punjab. — At the Gurdaspur Experiment Station in the Punjab during the past wheat season, the following results were obtained under strict harani conditions on unmanured land by Mr. Milligan, the Deputy Director of Agriculture. These results are the immediate outcome of the application of improved methods of wheat growing to the harani tracts of the Punjab. No. Grain in lbs. per acre. Bhusa in lbs. per acre. Pusa 12 . 2,122 3,989 On the canal-irrigated tracts of this Province the methods of growing the crop to perfection, which have INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 35 proved so successful at Cawnpore and Aligarh, have not yet been worked out. One point, however, has been demon- strated. In 1911, it was found that high quality Pusa wheats grown by tenants of the Lyallpur Farm retained their milling and baking qualities. There is every hope that provided proper care is taken in cultivation and in the use of irrigation water, results similar to those of Cawn- pore can be obtained in the Canal Colonies of this Province. Central Provinces. — As the soil conditions of the wheat- growing tracts of Peninsular India are quite different from those of the alluvium of the Indo-Gangetic plain it appeared probable that the Pusa wheats, most likely to be suitable for the black soils of the Central Provinces, would be found among the raj^idly maturing varieties. Accord- ingly, these have been tested at Tharsa and Raipur by Mr. Clouston and one kind was tried on a small scale at Hoshangabad this year by Mr. Evans. The results are given below. Trial of Pusa wheats, 1911-12, in the Central Provinces. Name. Yield per acre. Remarks. Pusa 13. Pusa 107 . Pusa 108 . Pusa 4 885 769 750 645 Damaged by bail. The vield of the local kinds in the Central Provinces rarely exceeds 600 lbs. per acre and both at Tharsa and Raipur the Pusa wheats gave a larger outturn than any of the other varieties tried, while in rust resistance and grain quality they proved distinctly superior. As regards the quality of the Pusa wheats grown m the Central Provinces, one, Pusa 4, was in 1911 tested in Eng- land by Mr. Humphries who reported : " The Raipur unirrigated lot is truly superb in appearance, indeed I do D 36 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH not think I am exaggerating if I say it is the finest looking lot of Indian wheat I have ever seen." As regards the bread made from this wheat Mr. Humphries said : " In hue and general appearance of crust and crumb the Raipur lots are of the A'^ery highest class, but on the one point of strength they are really good without being extraordinary, judged by the standard of typical London flour." These opinions were confirmed by Messrs. Ralli Brothers, who valued Pusa 4 higher than any of the large collection of Indian wheats grown at Raipur in 1911. It is probable that this wheat will be of the greatest use in the Central Provinces on light soils and in years when the soil moisture is short as it ripens in the second half of February and fully a month before the local wheats. Next year it is being tried by Mr. Evans in the Jubbulpore District where a rapidly maturing late sown wheat is required on the embanked wheat lands. Bihar. — The first trial of Pusa wheats in Bihar was made at Mia Chapra Estate in 1909-10 when 1,975 lbs. to the acre of Pusa 20 were obtained after maize the same year. All the seed was sown the following year on this estate and the resulting crop was disposed of at Rs. 5 per maund as seed wheat. In 1910-11, several other estates grew Pusa wheats on a small scale and in all cases the yield was greatly in excess of that given by country seed. The success of these trials on a small scale led to a great demand for seed after the harvest of 1911. During the past season, the trials were considerably extended and about 1,500 acres of land were sown with the new wheats. Some of the results are to be found in the following table and on the average the yields obtained are at least twice that given by the local wheats. The growers are very pleased with the results and are keeping the bulk of their harvest to sow an extended area next year. It is anticipated that between 10,000 and 15,000 acres '^\\\ be sown with Pusa wheats next year. Name of wheat. Pusa 20 Pusa6 Pusa 8 Pusa 12 Pusa 8 and 12 mixed. Pusa 101 INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 37 Trial of Pusa u-heats in Bihar in 1911-12. Name of Factory. i Type of soil. Bowarrali Concern . Ditto Mia Chapra Concern, 1909-10. Mia Chapra Concern, 1911-12. Eelsund Concern Bowarrah Concern . Motihari Concern . Belsund Concern . Hathovvri Concern . Munjhoul Concern . 1st class wheat land. 2nd class wheat land. 1st class wheat land. Do. Medium Fairly heavy Light loam . Medium 1st class wheat land. Light Mooktapore Concern Medium Rewari Concern, Land seethed 1910-11. Bogwanpore Concern Light Motihari Concern . Light loam Bogwanpore Concern Light Jugolia Concern Matlnr green manured. Yield per acre in lbs. 1,975 1,483 1,975 2,468 1,619 1,240 1,839 1,730 2,017 1,218 1,481 1,199 1,234 1,693 1,234 1,351 Remarks. The Manager states that the soil was too light for wheat. Patna M'heat sown in tlic same field gave only 1,028 lbs. Late sowing affect- ed the yield. Badly attacked by whitc-ants. Yield afl'ccted by laying due to storms. Badly attacked by white-ants. Wheat liid and consequently yield affected by over- manuring. 38 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Trials of Pus a wheats in Bihar in 1911-12 — contd. Yield Name of wheat. Name of Factory. Type of soil. per acre in lbs. Remarks. p usa 104 Belsund Concern Poor , 1,451 The Manager esti- mates the yield would have equal- led Pusa 105 if land had been good. p usa 105 Belsund Concern 1,708 p Lisa lOG . Hathowri Concern . 1st class wheat land. 1,880 Damaged by rain and rats or yield would have been still greater. Birowlie Concern 2nd class wheat land. 1,707 Motihari Concei'n Light loam . 1,460 DhoH Concern Mia Chapra Concern Light land somewhat poor. Medium 1,174 1,645 Local wheat in adjoining field gave less than half this yield. Bogwani^ore Concern Light . 1,2.34 Crop badly at- tacked by white- ants. Mooktapore Concern Medium 1,480 Damaged by water- logging ; local wheat gave two- thii'ds this yield in the same field. Belsund Concern Light 1,139 Sown on soil too light for this wheat. All the land was unnianurod unU'Ss olhcrwisu stated. Owing to the abnormally heav}^ and late " hathia " rains in 1911-12 most of the wheat in Bihar had to be sown on light or second class wheat lands as the first class wheat lands did not dry in time to plough. Much of the wheat was also sown on a wet seed bed. The yield of wheat this year at Pusa, owing to the late October rains, averaged mSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 39 1,600 to 2,000 lbs. an acre instead of the usual 2,000 to 2,500 lbs. Cultivation Experiments. — Another aspect of the wheat investigations at Pusa should be mentioned. This relates to the importance of hot- weather cultivation, clean culture and moisture conservation in crop production in the Indo- Gangetic plain. By applying the methods of cultivation, which have been found successful for wheat, to other crops, both kharif and rahi, greatly increased crops are easily possible. The Pusa results have already attracted great attention in India to improved methods of cultivation and moisture conservation and have thus been of direct use in showing one of the directions in which the land, now under crops in the plains, can be made to produce much heavier outturns. The effect of these methods is cumulative and the highest yields are not obtained till the second or the third year. The methods of cultivation referred to have been published in detail in Pusa Bulletin No. 22 and Urdu and Hindi versions have also been issued. Of these latter a second edition has been called for by Mr. Burt, Deputy Director of Agriculture, for distribution in the Central Circle of the United Provinces. Seed Distribution. As a result of the successful trials of the new wheats in various parts of India a great demand for seed has arisen during the past year which could only in part be met. Arrangements, however, have been made to grow a large stock of seed during the coming season which it is hoped will be sufficient for all purposes. The seed distribution arrangements in Bihar arose out of the demonstration in wheat growing given in con- nection with the Tirhut Agricultural Exhibition held at Pusa in January last. After this show the Bihar Planters' Association suggested the immediate formation of seed farms on estates under my supervision so as to supply a large amount of seed wheat yearly. This has been done and about 1,000 acres of the new wheats will be sown on 4b REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH three estates next year for seed purposes. This arrange- ment ensures the expansion of the work at practically no cost to Government while the estates where the crop is grown to perfection will also serve as demonstration areas and local seed farms for the cultivators in the neighbour- hood. The various wheats grown will be maintained at Pusa in pure culture and whenever necessary the seed farms will be re-stocked with fresh seed. In the United Provinces the distribution of seed is being carried out under the direction of Mr. Leake who has arranged to grow about one hundred acres at Cawn- pore and Aligarh. In the Central Provinces the work of seed distribution is in the hands of Mr. Clouston, the Deputy Director of Agriculture, who is growing Pusa wheats on a large scale at liaipur and Tharsa. Mr. Evans proposes to try one of the early maturing wheats (No. 4) in the Jubbulpore District. At Pusa, during the past year, the amount of the seed distributed from the botanical area was 250 maunds. In future the chief work at this centre will be confined to keeping the various kinds pure and to growing sufficient seed for demonstration purposes and for re-stocking peri- odically the various seed farms. In addition, a consider- able area of wheat land will be taken up by the numerous cultures in connection with the selection and hybridization work in progress and with variety trials. The Influence of the Environment on Quality. An important stage has been reached in the experiments on the influence of environment on the milling and baking qualities of wheat. These investigations are being con- ducted in collaboration with Mr. Leake and the results obtained up to the rahi season of 1910-11 have been in- corporated in a paper which is now being printed. The object of these experiments is to discover to what extent high quality in grain is possible in the various wheat-grow- ing tracts of India and for this purpose various pure lines INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 4l have been grown at a large number of stations and the pro- duce tested. If wheat of good quality can be grown in any tract this fact is of great importance in the work of improve- ment as practically all the Indian wheats of commerce are poor in quality. The principal result obtained during the year is the demonstration of the fact that wheats of good quality can be grown under canal irrigation in the alluvium and also on the black cotton soils of Peninsular India. Quality in wheat in India is not confined to the barani crop. Indeed at Cawnpore during the past year the samples produced under canal irrigation were better than the same wheats grown at Pusa. At Raij^ur, on the black cotton soil, the samples of Pusa 4 were certainly finer than that produced the same year at Pusa. Even when grown after rice and at Lyallpur by poor cultivators the wheats did not lose their milling and baking qualities. The results with Muzaffarnagar, a soft weak wheat, obtained at the various stations are also of interest. In no case did this wheat show strength although its milling and baking qualities were improved by the cultivation it received at Cawnpore and Pusa. These experiments also throw considerable light on the relation between yield and quality in wheat. It was found that, in any particular wheat, the conditions which produce the highest yield are those which also produce the best quality. Further, in the same wheat, high yield and high quality can be combined. A cultivator therefore, who v/ishes to obtain the greatest financial return for his labour, should grow to perfection a wheat which combines hign yield and good grain qualities. When this is accomjDlished, Indian wheats will be second to none in the markets of the world. In this portion of the work a large number of miliii.g and baking tests were necessary. These were carried out by Mr. Humphries in England and it is fortunate that his invaluable assistance was secured. Dr. Leather kindly 42 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH undertook the large number of nitrogen determinations involved in these investigations. Cultivation Eocperiments at Pusa. In connection with the growth of wheat at Pusa several matters connected with the cultivation of the crop have been observed which have since been made the subject of experiment. The first concerns the continuous growth of wheat with- out manure. This experiment is being conducted on a plot of typical wheat land, which is heavy in texture and which retains water well. The past season was the fifth year of the experiment and the yield was twenty-six maunds to the acre, an increase on that of previous years. This is the limit of the yielding power, up to the present at Pusa, of the variety grown on this plot and the results show that, after five years' cropping with wheat without manure, the natural fertility of the land is not yet affected. Indeed, the last crop was much too rank and was laid to a considerable extent by wind after coming into ear. The next cultivation experiment is concerned with the effect of hot weather cultivation as compared with late ploughing after the beginning of the monsoon. This ex- periment is now in the second year and last season the difference in yield between the two plots was twelve and a half bushels to the acre in favour of early ploughing. In the first year, the difference was only six bushels, due to the fact that both plots started in a high state of cultivation. This result appears to indicate that the effect of hot weather cultivation is cumulative and that the maximum yields are not realised the first year. Drainage is an important factor in wheat growing in the alluvium and influences both the yield and the quality. On waterlogged areas, the consistency of the sample is gene- rally very mixed and the yield is low. An experiment on this subject at IHisa showed that waterlogging the land during the month of September previous to sowing reduced the crop fifty per cent., that is, to sixteen bushels to the acre. This was shown to be due to a want of available nitrogen, INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 43 caused no doubt by a change in the soil flora due to the waterlogging and want of air. A rice land conditioxi seemed to have been set up in which the w^heat crop did not thrive. The subject of the importance of drainage w^as brought to the notice of the Bihar Planters in February last in a paper read before the Association at Mozafferpore. Breeding. During the year a considerable amount of attention has been devoted to wheat breeding, particularly with regard to the production of new rust-resistant wheats with high yielding power and strong straw. In connection with these investigations, which have been designed to secure results of immediate practical value, some interesting facts dealing with the inheritance of characters in wheat have been elucidated. A paper on this part of the subject is in course of publication. These results, which at first sight appear to be only of theoretical interest, are in reality of practical value as they show that the gametic constitution of wheats must be known with certainty before they can be used as parents for the production of new types. Further it is desirable that all varieties of crops in India (whose be- haviour in breeding is known) should be most carefully pre- served at the experiment stations so that they may be immediately available for other workers. The new experiment station at Quetta was of use in connection with the breeding work at Pusa. The variety trials in 1912 indicated that two crosses on the pure line A 88 were desirable. This could only be seen at harvest time when it was too late to make the crosses. Seed was, however, sent to Quetta in March and the crosses were madf- in the following June thus saving a whole year in the work Part III. Other Investigations. Tobacco. The progress reported in the previous annual report with regard to this crop has been continued during the past year. 44 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Cultivation. — The successful growth of this crop after a green crop of san ploughed in was referred to in last year's report. This method of manuring was repeated on a large scale in 1911-12 and in spite of the bad season a very good crop was produced. The excessive rain at sow- ing time in August, followed by long continued wet weather till the middle of October, greatly interfered with the pre- paration for this crop. In consequence, the growth was slow and the period of ripening delayed. Even under these adverse conditions, the crop grown on san was superior to any tobacco fields in the neighbourhood. Curing. — The curing experiments of the previous year were repeated on a large scale, the crop being grown after san ploughed in without any other manure. Three types, Nos. 28, 29 and 32, were grown and cured by a modification of the country method, care being taken to use the minimum amount of moisture in the process so as to preserve the yellow colour as much as possible. Type 28 gives a yellow colour combined with good texture and fine leaves and was reported on very favourably in 1910-11. Types 29 and 32 are heavier, coarser kinds with darker colour and large leaves. These were grown for comparison with Type 28. The whole of the crop was sent to the Peninsular Tobacco Company at Monghyr and made into cigarettes. Type 28 again received a very favourable report and the leaves were valued at Rs. 12 to Rs. 14 per maund which is a consider- able advance on the local prices. A large quantity of self- fertilized seed of this type was grown for the Company and arrangements have been made on three estates to grow this kind next year. The results obtained with this tobacco show that a suitable leaf for cigarettes can be grown and cured in Bihar by the people and thus the first object of these curing experiments has been achieved. It now re- mains to get the Pusa results repeated on the indigo estates and to see whether the planters in Bihar are prepared to take the trouble necessary to grow and cure this tobacco. If they do it will then be possible to consider whether or INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PFSA, FOR 1911-12. 45 not fire curing in some simple form in earth-built barns can be undertaken in Bihar with any prospect of success. Breeding. — Considerable progress was made during the year by the Personal Assistant in the investigations on the inheritance of characters in Nicotiana tabacum and in N. rustica. The object of this work is to discover the mode of inheritance of the various leaf characters in particular so that new and improved varieties can be produced by hybri- dization. The results so far obtained are now being sub- mitted for publication. It is interesting to note that the earlier selection work done on the tobacco crop at Pusa and published in Nos. I and II of the third volume of the Botanical Memoirs has been repeated by the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture and confirmed in all respects. The American results are published in a recent issue of the Botanical Gazette (Vol. LIII, No. 2, 1912). Gram. Some time ago a sample of gram was grown in the botanical area from which a number of pure lines were isolated in connection with the investigations on natural cross-fertilization published in No. IV, Vol. ITT of the Botanical Memoirs. Some of the more promising of these pure lines were grown in large plots in 1911-12 and the yields were carefully determined. Seven lines were grown and one plot contained local seed for comparison. The yields obtained were very high and the largest crop was nearly thirty- four maunds to the acre while two other lines gave over thirty maunds. Samples of the seed were submitted to Messrs Ralli Brothers, Bombay, for valuation and report. Four of the lines were valued over Rs. 4-8 per cwt. f . o. r. Bombay compared with Es. 4-2, the price of the ordinary exportable varieties. The line which gave thirty-two and- a-half maunds of seed was valued at Rs. 5-8 per cwt. f . o. r. Bombay — an increase of Re. 1-6 per cwt. above the ordi- nary seed. These lines will be grown on a larger scale next 46 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH season and are also being tried in other parts of India. The results indicate that selection methods can be applied to gram with good prospects of success. As the flowers are self-fertilized in Bihar, it is likely that any improve- ment can readily be maintained. Fibres. The work with fibre plants has been continued, the crops studied being patwa (Hibiscus cannabinus), rozelle (Hibiscus Sabdoriffa), and san (Crotalaria juncea). It was found that one of the types of H. cannabinus grown from the seed of unprotected flowers could be freed from all hybrids in the seedling and early vegetative stages and thus could be kept pure by simple rogueing. It is possible that similar methods might be adopted in the case of cotton grown for seed distribution purposes. In the case of san progress was made in isolating the various varieties of this crop and a beginning was made in the study of the methods of pollination in this species. In rozelle a considerable amount of work was done on the inheritance of characters in this crop and in the study of the second generation of the hybrids. The varieties of Indian rozelle are well adapted for the study by students of simple Mendelian phenomena and it w^as partly on this account that this work was undertaken. Pollination. Progress was made during the year in the study of the methods of pollination in the various crops of India and particular attention was devoted to some of the oil-seed crops. As soon as sufficient material has been collected these results will be incorporated in a paper. Part IV. The Tirhut Agricultural Exhibition. The Tirhut AOTicultural Exhibition was held in the botanical area at Pusa on January 18th, 19th and 20th, INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 47 1912, and I acted as local Secretary for the show. In addition to the usual exhibits of agricultural produce, live stock and the products of the local industries, the special feature of this Exhibition was the demonstration to planters, zemindars and cultivators. The nature of these demonstrations will be evident from the following extract from the report on the show : — " An important departure was made this year in the Exhibition, largely through the efforts of Mr. F. F. Lyall, I.C.S., Collector of Mozafferpore. In 1910, it was suggest- ed by the Imperial Economic Botanist that the Tirhut Exhibition should be held at Pusa once every four years and that the various improvements in Indian agriculture, shown to be possible by the work of the Pusa Institute, should be demonstrated to the planters, zemindars and cultivators of the Division in the form of growing crops of increased yield and value. This suggestion was not accepted for the 1911 show, but it was revived again by Mr. Lyall and adopted by Mr. H. C. Streatfeild, I.C.S., Commissioner of the Division. As a consequence, the Exhibition of 1912 was held at Pusa and the grounds of the Botanical Section were lent for the Exhibition. In the cultivated portion of this area, numerous plots were laid out to illustrate as many as possible of the improved methods of agriculture discover- ed at Pusa. The crops selected for this purpose were tobacco and wheat and, in addition, there was a further demonstration on two neighbouring plots of land belonging to ryots. " The main demonstration to planters, which occupied about three hours, took place on the morning of the 19th January when the attendance was upwards of 50. This consisted of a series of short lectures by the Imperial Eco- nomic Botanist followed by discussions at the various plots. It was repeated in the afternoon for the benefit of those who arrived too late for the morning work. Leaflets deal- ing with the main subjects dealt with, were previously pre- pared and printed and sets of these were distributed. For the benefit of cultivators these demonstrations were given 48 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH in the vernacular, both on the 19th and 20th, by Monlvi Abdiir Rahman Khan, Second Assistant to the Imperial Economic Botanist, and were largely attended. In addi- tion to these formal demonstrations, the various members of the staff of the Botanical Section explained the work in progress to the cultivators and, in this way, a good deal of useful work was accomplished. " The scope of the demonstrations can be gathered from the titles of the leaflets prepared for the show which were as follows : — • 1. Green manuring with san for tobacco. 2. The improvement of wheat cultivation in Bihar. 3. The effect of grass on fruit trees. 4. The value of pure seed in India. 5. The importance of hot-weather cultivation in Bihar. In addition, several improved implements, suitable for Bihar, were shown at work and various leaflets dealing with these machines were distributed. After seeing the sprins"- tine harrows at work fifty of these were ordered by the planters. " These demonstrations were a great success and were followed closely both by the planters and by the cultivators. There is no doubt that this method of bringing home the results of the work of the Agricultural Department is in- finitely more effective than publications or the exhibition of collections of seeds and other produce. An acre plot of improved wheat or tobacco for example appeals much more strongly to the agricultural mind than results in print or in the shape of collections of seed." Part V. The Development of the Fruit Industry of Baluchistan. Progress has been made during the year in the work outlined in the last report in connection with the develop- ment of the fruit industry of Baluchistan. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 49 A suitable site for the fruit experiment station was selected on the Sariab road about two miles from Quetta and the land was acquired in September 1911 by the Local Government. This was roughly laid out in terraces and plots last year, and, during the present summer, progress has been made in the final levelling of the plots and in making the necessary irrigation arrangements. Two shares in the Sirkhi karez have been purchased and two artesian bores have been laid down while a third is now in progress. These bores are 80, 150 and 250 feet in depth and tap three different water-bearing gravels. The total surface flow is expected to be well over 1,000 gallons per hour and the water will be finally collected in a pucca tank capable of holding four days' discharge. An experiment has also been made of pumping from one of these bores by means of an oil engine when the flow increased from 600 gallons to 4,250 gallons per hour. A well has been sunk which gave water at 22 feet and on this a Persian wheel is being erected. The water supply of the fruit experiment station is now assured and proposals have been submitted for laying down permanent masonry water channels for the main distribu tion and for carrying the zemindar's water through the area instead of in the present earth channels. Five quarters for workmen, a cattle shed, two godowns, an implement shed and overseer's quarters were erected in 1911 as well as a building for laboratory and office work. The area has been surrounded by a wall and the road to the laboratory has been made pucca. A portion of the land was laid out for a nursery and a number of stocks have been raised for budding during the present year. Some of the land was sown in shaftal for fodder and green manure. The old fruit garden in Quetta was handed over on October 1st, 1911, and a beginning was made in getting this into order and in removing old trees. A portion of the area was got ready for shaftal and good crops were pro- duced. Another portion was prepared for an experiment 50 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH in the growing of tomatoes on improved lines. During the present year, further progress was made on the work of re- novation and it is hoped to get at least half of the land ready for a clover crop this autumn. Next year it is pro- posed to plant this area up in fruit trees. A considerable amount of work was done in 1911 in working out the best methods of transporting fruit to India. It was found that the cheapest and best packages were those made up with chip and boards imported from Glasgow. Returnable boxes made of venesta wood were found to be impracticable under Indian conditions on account of the frequent overcharges and mistakes made by the Railway Companies in sending the empties back to Quetta. Any one sending returnable fruit boxes on Indian Railways on a large scale would have to keep at least one clerk to check the charges and to file claims. Another difficulty in connection with sending fruit by rail was the numerous thefts on the trains. If a merchant sending fruit from Quetta were to complain every time these thefts occurred, another extra clerk would be required for the correspondence that would be involved. As a result of last year's experiments non-returnable boxes for the five-seer rate were designed and steps were taken to import a supply of material for these sufficient to meet the demands for 1912 and 1913. In addition, a supply of other boxes for experiments with tomatoes and other fruits was imported. In carrying out the work at Quetta I have been greatly assisted by Mr. H. R. C. Dobbs, C.I.E., Officiating Revenue Commissioner in Baluchistan, who did a great deal to further the work after my departure in September 1911. Colonel McConaghey, C.I.E., the Political Agent at Quetta, has also rendered vahiable assistance, while the work con- nected with the artesian bores and the pumping experi- ments was only possible through the readv help given by Colonel Williams. R.E., Secretary to Government in the Public Works Department, and by Colonel Picton. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 51 A.C.R.E., Quetta. Colonel Duke, I. M.S., Residency Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer in Baluchistan, was kind enough to receive and plant out a number of young trees. He has also heljied me by giving me the benefit of his local knowledge of fruit growing and of the practices in vogue in Persia. My third assistant, Munshi Ijaz Husain, worked well at Quetta in the autumn of 1911 when left in charge of the work. Part VI. Programme and publications. Programme of work for 1912-13. 1. Training. — The training of advanced students in this section will be continued. 2. Plant Breeding and Plant Improvement. — During 1912 the following crops will be studied : — wheat, tobacco, oil-seeds and fibre plants. (a) Wheat. — The production of improved and rust- resistant types by selection and hybridization will be continued. The co-operative experi- ments on the influence of the environment on the milling and baking qualities of Indian wheats, which are beim? conducted in collaboration with Mr. H. Martin Leake, Economic Botanist to the Government of the United Provinces, will be continued. The botanical survey of the wheats of Baluchistan and the agricultural survey of the wheats of Bengal will be completed. (h) Tobacco. — The production of new varieties by selection and hybridization will be continued, as well as the testing and curing of the varieties already isolated. The detailed study of the inheritance of characters in tobacco is being continued by the Personal Assistant. E 2 52 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (c) Oil-seeds. — The study of the oil-seeds of India will be continued on similar lines to those adopted in the investigations on wheat. (d) Fibres. — The isolation and testing of pure races of the fibre plants of India will be continued. The study of the inheritance of characters in these crops is being continued. {e) Fruit. — The fruit experiments at Pusa will be con- tinued on the lines laid down in the first Fruit Report. During the months May to Septem- ber the work connected with the development of the fruit industry of Baluchistan will be continued. Publications. The pressure of current duties has again delayed the publication of results and only a few papers could be written during the year. The work of the section, parti- cularly on wheat and tobacco, has increased beyond all ex- pectations during the past two years and it is difficult to find sufficient free time for writing papers and for corre- spondence. The following papers were published or written during the year : — 1. Green manuring with sa?i. AgricuUvral Journal of India, Vol. VII, Part I, 1912. 2. A suggested improvement in sugar-cane cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic plain. Agricultural Journal of India, Vol. VII, Part I, 1912. 3. The improvement of Indian wheat. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, October 1911. 4. A Hindi and Urdu version of Pusa Bulletin 22 on the pro- duction of wheat in India. 5. The Botanical aspect of the improvement of sugar-cane in. India. International Sugar Journal, 1912. 6. The production and maintenance of pure seed of improved varieties of crops in India (with G. L. C. Howard). Agri- cultural Journal of India, Vol. VII, Part II, 1912. 7. Report on Economic Botany for 1910-11 for the Board of Scientific Advice (with R. S. Hole). INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 5^ 8. Some aspects of tlie Agricultural Development of Bihar — an address delivered to the Bihar Planters' Association at Mozaffarpore on January 31st, 1912. 9. The influence of environment on the milling and baking qualities of wheat in India, No. 2 (with H. Martin Leake and G. L. C. Howard). In the press. 54 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL MYCOLOGIST. (E. J. Butler, M.B., F.L.S.) 1. Charge and Establishment. — I remained in charge of the section until June 16th, when I proceeded on 20 days' privilege leave, Mr. F. J. F. Shaw officiating. In addition to my own duties, I also held charge of the post of Director of the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, until March 31st. Mr. Shaw held the post of Supernumerary Mycologist throughout the vear. Mr. J. H. Mitter, Second Assistant, reverted from the Punjab Department of Agriculture on the abolition of the post of Assistant Professor of Mycology at Lyallpur, which he had held since May 1910, on November 24th. He has again joined the Punjab Depart- ment to officiate as Assistant Professor of Botany for three Tionths from June 15th. All the staff have worked well. 2. Training. — Babu K. C. Banerji, B.A., L.Ag. (Nagpur), was sent for training in Mycology and Ento- mology by the Bihar and Orissa Department. He attended the section from February 22nd. Lala Bishambar Das, M.Sc, Assistant Professor of Biology, Government College, Lahore, worked in the Laboratory for about six weeks during his college vacation in July and August. 3. Aid to Provincial Departments. — A considerable number of parasitic fungi were named for the college collections in the various Provincial Departments, especially for Bombay, Bengal and the Punjab. The manuscript of the mycological portion of a Handbook of the diseases and pests of cultivated plants in Bengal was read through and annotated. Several blocks of original figures suitable for illustrating this book were lent to the Economic Botanist, Bihar and Orissa. Some manuscripts containing results of scientific work by the Assistant Professor of Mycology and the Mycological Assistant, Poona, were read and advice given as to the best means of publishing them. Institute and college, pusa, for 1911-12. 55 4. Plant disease investigations, (a) Paddy diseases. — Considerable time has been given to the investigation of a disease of inundated paddy, locally known as ufra, in the deltaic districts of Eastern Bengal. The disease is said by the cultivators to have existed for at least a generation, but it appears to have greatly increased in virulence in recent years, and has been under the observation of the Eastern Bengal Department of Agriculture since 1908. It was attributed by different observers to insects, fungi and unsatisfactory soil conditions. A conjoint Entomological and Mycological investigation was undertaken last December, when Mr. Fletcher, Officiating Imperial Ento- mologist, and myself visited Noakhali District. The result was to exclude insects as the direct cause and to throw suspicion on a worm of the Nematode class, always found living on diseased plants. This worm, a Tylenclius, member of a genus whose species are already known to cause several serious diseases of cereals (of which " ear-cockle " ill wheat is perhaps the most familiar), is exceedingly minute, practically invisible to the naked eye; it is found in clusters, often containing many individuals, on the surface of diseased parts. The anterior end is provided with a sharp spine and a sucking apparatus, by which the juice of the living cells of the plant is made use of as nourishment. At least two, probably more, complete life cycles occur in a year and, as the female lays a large number of eggs, in- crease is rapid. On diseased plants the worms are found, in the early stages, occupying small brown patches on the leaves and culm. As the crop approaches maturity larger numbers ol worms occur on the peduncle of the ear and just above the next lower node. At these points the stem is deep brown in colour and shrunken to little more than the thick- ness of a thread. Still later, worms are found within the empty glumes of the lower flowers and the ears generally bear no grain. A frequent condition is the failure of the ear to emerge from its enclosing sheath and to this the name thor (or swollen) ufra is applied, from the swollen appear- ance of the head of the plant. In fucca ufra the ears 56 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH emerge, but are light and bear no grain. In Begumganj Thana of Noakhali District about half the crop was lost last year; several fields were visited wdiich had not been considered worth harvesting. In 1910 it is estimated that the loss in this Thana was 200,000 maunds of grain. Out- side Noakhali, the disease is said to occur in Comilla, Chandpur and the neighbourhood of Dacca and is probably more widely distributed than this. The same worm was found in specimens collected in these localities and the symptoms were similar. Elsewhere, from several of the rice-growing tracts of India, reports and specimens of diseases exhibiting points of resemblance to ufra have been received, but examination has not, so far, revealed the occur- rence of true ufra outside Eastern Bengal. Further work is required to ascertain if the worm must be held directly responsible for the disease and, if so, how it can be checked. Experiments in this direction are in progress in collabora- tion with the Bengal Department. An unsuccessful attempt was made to trace by field in- oculations the life history of the '' false '' smut of rice caused by U stilaginoidea virens. This is being repeated this year. {h) Root rot of "plants due to Rhizoctonia. — The soil- dwelling parasite Rhizoctonia has been known in Europe as a fungus pest since the early part of the eighteenth century. It attacks chiefly subterranean tubers such as potato, saffron, carrot and beet; in America it is also found on cotton. The researches of the past two years, carried out by Mr. Shaw and an account of which is now in the press, have shown that, in India, it is a parasite of wide range and, in some cases, extreme virulence. The species known as Rhizoc- tonia Solani Kiihn, first described in 1858 on potato, appears to be most common. It occurs on potatoes at Bankipore, and on the Pusa Farm attacks jute, groundnut and cowpea. At Cawnpore it attacks seedling cotton and it has been reported on sesame from Surat. In some cases, e.g., jute and cotton, the attack takes place in the seedling stage, when it is particularly virulent, in the case of jute the death rate in pot-culture being 70 — 80 per cent. The attack on cotton INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 67 was of interest as it proved to be identical with that known in Egypt as " sore shin " and in America as " damping off," both of w^hich diseases were attri})iited by their investigators to an unnamed sterile fungus. Special attention was paid to the possibility of the exist- ence of biologic forms within the morphological species R. Solani. It was found that the race on jute was markedly different in its infective power from the fungus on cowpea, groundnut and cotton. The former would only infect its own host whereas the fungus upon either of the other three hosts could infect any one of the remainder. A second species of Rhizoctcmia, possessing much larger sclerotia, was found on groundnut and cowpea. It soon became clear that great confusion existed in the published literature between these two forms, which have been attri- buted to a single species under the name Rhizoctonia violacea Tul. The second form also occurs sometimes on potato, where it has been identified by American writers as R. Solani and stated to have a Basidiomycete, Corticium v>agum, as its perfect stage. The investigations of the last year have confirmed the latter point but have shown that the fungus associated with Corticium vagum is a distinct and separate species. It is suggested that the name R. violacea may be retained for this form. The fact that Rhizoctonia may live in the soil of an infected field for years renders the disease a peculiarly difhcult one to combat. In Egypt a dressing of naphthalene has been found very beneficial in the case of cotton, while in England a weak solution of carbolic acid applied to the soil has given good results. The latter method is, however, too expensive for general use. It is fortunate that, so far, cereal crops appear to be immune to this disease and a careful rotation of crops is probably the best method of lessening its ravages. (c) Wheat rust. — Last year was marked by a severe attack of wheat rust, the first for a number of years, in the Central Provinces. The disease was also prevalent in some 5S REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH other wheat-growing areas, notably in Rajputana. Mimshi Inayat Khan, senior Fieldman, was deputed to collect speci- mens and notes in the Central Provinces at the end of March. Examination at Pusa showed that, while all three varieties of rust were present, most of the damage was caused by " orange " rust (Puccinia triticina) and " black " rust {Puccinia graminis) ; " yellow " rust {Puccinia gluma- rum) was much less in evidence. Previous experience in- dicates that, in normal years, orange rust is absent or scarce in the Central Provinces, though common in Bengal and parts of the United Provinces. It appears, therefore, that in bad years this rust extends its area and much of the losses in 1912 must be attributed to it. In breeding rust- resistant wheats for the Central Provinces, yellow rust need not at present be taken into account. Black rust is always present and does much damage even in normal years ; wheats resistant to this rust would be of undoubted value. As regards orange rust, the growth of wheats which withstand this variety would be a form of insurance against the occurrence of a rusty year. It is not, unfortunately, as yet definitely known whether wheats resistant to all three rusts can be produced. Meanwhile, as it is not possible in ordinary years to study the susceptibility of Central Provinces wheats in regard to orange rust, wheats which resist this rust in localities where it is prevalent might with advantage be introduced into the province. {d) Phytofhthora investigations. — Two species of thi. most destructive genus of fungus parasites have been undei special study in the section. The fiTh\ is Phytofhthora Colocasim Rac, which attacks the common indigenous vegetable kachu {Colocasia antiquorum) throughout South- Eastern Asia. Its study was commenced by Mr. G. S. Kul- karni, Mycological Assistant of the Bombay Department, when a student at Pusa in 1909. It has since been continued by myself and its successful growth in artificial culture last year has allowed of the complete working out of its life history. It is hoped to publish the result of this work shortly. Mr. Dastur, First Assistant, has taken up the study INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 5fii of a Phytophthora which attacks castor, as part of a larger investigation of the diseases of this crop. This species has also been got into artificial culture. The simultaneous pro- duction of the saprophytic habit by artificial culture in two species of this genus, until recently supposed to be exclu- sively parasitic, has permitted of important additions to our knowledge of the biology of the genus. Phytofhthora infestans, the cause of the well-known potato blight, was found attacking potatoes and tomatoes at Jorhat in Assam ; on a previous occasion, in 1902, it attacked potatoes in Burdwan and Hooghly Districts in Bengal. Ordinarily confined to temperate climates and always prevalent in the Hill Tracts of India, it is, perhaps, to be feared that a race is being developed which can withstand the heat of the plains. {e) Sugar-cane diseases. — A memoir giving the results of the work of the past few years has been commenced. The difficulties encountered in carrying on field experiments, owing to inability to control external conditions which caused the partial loss of the crop on several occasions, have led to much loss of time. A good deal of information has, however, been obtained as regards methods of infection other than by planting diseased cuttings, both in red-rot and C eyhalosporium disease, and it is considered advisable not to delay publication. This year's work includes these two diseases and also smut. Early in 1912 specimens of a cane disease which has appeared on the Jorhat Farm were received from Mr. Meggitt, Agricultural Chemist, Eastern Bengal and x\ssam, who laid stress on its resemblance to sereh, the disease which has caused more damage in Java than probably any other of the numerous diseases of this crop. The resemblance is indeed striking and a recent visit to Jorhat has not enabled me to identify the disease with any of those known in India. The symptoms of sereh are elusive, its cause is unknown, its treatment very trouble- some; and the accurate identification of the Jorhat disease, so that measures for its suppression may be taken if neces- sary, is obviously a matter of the first importance. 60 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (/) Palm diseases. — The " plague " of betelnut palms in Bengal and Assam has continued to spread to the north and east since first reported to Sir George Watt in 1896. Since 1905, when I visited Sylhet to attempt to discover its cause, it has extended to Cachar and Goalpara. Specimens from these districts, and from Khulna at the other extremity of the affected area, were examined during the year. The cause appears to be the fungus Polyforus {Pomes) lucidus; this species occurs commonly on dying palms and reasons were given in 1905 for supposing it to be parasitic. More recently it has been found on diseased areca and cocoanut palms in Mysore and Ceylon, and though its parasitism has not been conclusively proved, it is considered to cause disease in both localities. The losses in North-Eastern India have been enormous, but the area affected is so large as to render impracticable any attempt to check it on the lines of the successful work against bud-rot in Madras. The applica- tion of lime has been recommended and is reported to have had a beneficial effect. {g) Tea diseases. — Mr. Shaw visited Cachar in December to investigate tea canker. The cause of this disease still, however, remains obscure. An Eocobasidium, closely allied to that which causes " blister-blight " of tea, was discovered by Mr. I. H. Burkill in the Khasia Hills on Camellia drupi- fera, a wild relative of tea. I had some hope that this would serve to explain the spread of blister-blight from North- Eastern Assam to DarjeeJing, but on submission to a special- ist it was found to be a distinct species. Blister-blight was severe in parts of Assam this season and suggestions for further experiments to aid in its control were given to enquirers. The Scientific Department of the Indian Tea Association published an account of the suggested connec- tion between the tea-seed bug (Poecilocoris latus) and the fungus infection of tea seed, based on work carried out by me in the previous year. The section has been freely con- sulted by that Department during the year. (h) Indigo disease. — A recrudescence occurred towards the end of last season of the so-called '' wilt " of Java indigo INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12 61 in Bihar, particularly where " moorhun " plant was kept for seed bearing. As there is much confusion between the condition due to the insect pest Psylla and that known as " wilt," a conjoined mycological and entomological investi- gation was undertaken. I visited the Research Station of the Bihar Planters' Association in November and examined the crop which had been kept for seed and which was at this date almost entirely destroyed. No sufficient explana- tion of the death of the plants could be found and it appears unlikely that it is due to a definite fungus parasite. As, on the other hand, it appears to be quite clear that Psylla does not kill the plant in this fashion, it is evident that further investigation is necessary. The preliminary stages of this were commenced last year. {i) Forest tree diseases. — A large number of specimens of diseases of forest trees were received from the Forest Department. These included various pines, deodar, shisham, teak, ^'nahor," Casuarina, "sal," "mahua," Cassia fistula, mulberry, etc. In several cases the diseases were due to parasites already known and suggestions for treatment could be given. In others, notably the nahor disease in the Sibsagar and Teesta Divisions, the cause is a fungus which it has not yet been possible to identify and no recommendations can be made. {j) Other flant diseases. — I visited Lyallpur in October to investigate the cause of the death of cotton plants in certain areas of the Government Farm. No parasite was found but evidence was obtained to show that the damage was due to root injury, resulting from the presence of an impermeable stratum some distance below the surface of the soil. A large number of specimens of cotton plants from fourteen villages in the wilt-infected area in Berar were sent for examination by Mr. Clouston. The percentage of wilt varied from over fifty to three. Buri cotton, so far, remains immune and Mr. Clouston is now working out how far this advantage compensates for its lower yield as com- pared with the varieties commonly grown. Mr. Shaw has investigated the disease of Sisal caused by Colletotrichum 62 REPORT OF THE AC4RICULTURAL RESEARCH Agaves and has prepared a note for publication. He also visited the Sisal plantation of Messrs. Allen Brothers near Cawnpore to report on its health. An outbreak of lucerne mildew was reported from the Remount Depot, Sargodha, and of cauliflower mildew from Lahore. Experiments were continued with a view to finding some practical method of checking anthracnose of plantains. The stem rot of papaya was also under study, as its cause has not yet been deter- mined. Mr. Shaw made a local invest i station of the orange disease in the Khasia Hills, whence the " Sylhet " oranges of the Calcutta market are exported. The cause of this very obscure disease is still unknown. Oat smut was prevalent in Bihar and recommendations for its treatment have been made. A disease of coffee berries from Coorg was found to be caused by Collet otrichum Coffeanum Noack, a parasite which I had previously observed attacking the leaves of this plant, but w]iich was not known to attack the berries. Mr. Shaw has commenced the study of Striga, a parasitic flowering plant which does much damage to sugar-cane, jowar and other Graminese in India. Amongst the diseases not previously known in India, cotton anthracnose, lucerne mildew and rust of velvet beans were the chief. Two diseases of wild vines were investigated, one of which is known to attack also the cultivated species. An account of them was published since neither occurs in Europe and, if introduced, they might prove serious pests in grape- growing countries. The usual routine work of dealing with enquiries and specimens sent in for report was continued. Altogether 98 parcels of specimens were examined. 5. Systejnatic uwrk. — A considerable advance was made in this branch of the work of the section, the additions to the named herbarium collection numbering some hundreds. These were for the most part plant parasites, about 200 additions to the parasitic flora of India having been made. Two parts of the list of Indian fungi, which is being pre- pared in collaboration with Messrs. H. and P. Sydow of Berlin, were published. These contained the record, and in many cases also a detailed description, of over 300 species of INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 63 Indian fungi, of which more than a hundred were new to science. An account of an interesting aquatic fungus was also published. The total number of mounted sheets added to the herbarium was 779. 6. Miscellaneous. — I attended the meetings of a com- mittee appointed to consider the question of preventing the importation of noxious insects and plant diseases into India, held at Pusa in November. It is greatly to be desired that action in this direction should be taken without delay. The measures recommended last year for checking the spread of lantana, a noxious weed in Mysore and Coorg, are under consideration and further information has been supplied to the authorities concerned. The section fitted up a stall at the Tirhut Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition held at Pusa in January, w^hich was well attended. Assistance was given to the Government College, Lahore, in providing material and notes for teaching elementary mycology. An outbreak of dodder in clover was reported from Peshawar and recommendations for its suppression were made. I wrote the chapter on Mycology for the Annual Report of the Board of Scientific Advice for the year 1910-11. 7- Programme of work for 1912-13. (7) Research and experimental tvork. — The investiga- tion of the disease of paddy known as ufra in Bengal will be continued. Other diseases of paddy will be taken up as opportunity occurs. Work on susrar-cane diseases will be continued. The disease which has appeared on the Jorhat Farm will be specially studied with a view to determining whether it is sereh. It is proposed to examine the wilt diseases of cotton and sesame, in the Central Provinces, with a view to ascertain- ing their causes. It is hoped to conclude the investigation of two species of Phytophthora and the diseases of castor and Colocasia caused by them. 64 REPORT OF THE AGRl CITLTTTRAL RESEARCH The study of the so-called " wilt " of indigo will be con- tinued. The Supernumerary Mycologist is engaged in an investi- gation of some Phanerogamous plant parasites, especially S trig a. {2) Training. — This will be continued on the lines indi- cated in the Prospectus. Short courses will also be given if any students of the Institute wish to attend. {3) Advice regarding the fungus diseases of plants will continue to be given to other departments, particularly the Provincial Departments of Agriculture and the Forest Department, and to the general public. The distribution of named specimens and other material to provincial colleges and other institutions will be continued. (4) The collection and identification of Indian parasitic fungi will be continued. 8. Publications. Fungi Indise Orientalis, Part III, H. «& P. Sydow and E. J. Bntler. Annales Mycologici, Vol. IX, No. 4, 1911; ih., Part lY, Vol. X, ^No. 3, 1912. On Allomyces, a new aquatic fungus, E. J. Butler. Annals of Botany, Vol. XXV, October 1911. The rusts of wild vines in India, E. J, Butler. Annales Mycologici, Vol. X, No. 2, 1912. A disease of Cotton, F. J. F. Shaw. 'Mutid-ul-Mazarain, September 1911 [vernacular). Copper Blight of Tea, F. T. F. Shaw. Quarterly Journal of the Scientific Department, Indian Tea Association, Vol. I, Part 3, 1911 (reprint). INSTITUTE AND C0LLEC4E, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 65 REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL ENTOMOLOGIST. (A. J. Grove, M.Sc.) 1. Charge and Establishment. — The Imperial Entomolo- gist, Mr. H. Maxwell-Lef roy, was away on long leave during the whole of the period under review. Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher held charge of the section until April 19th, when he proceeded to Coimbatore to take up his new appointment as Entomologist to the Government of Madras. I joined my appointment as Supernumerary Entomologist on October 27th, 1911, and, since Mr. Fletcher's trains fer, have carried on the work of the section. The First Assistant, Mr. C. S. Misra, has been in charge of all the field-work on the Pusa Farm and the botanical area, and of the arranging and carrying out of the lac work including the giving of two short courses in Lac cultivation. He has also assisted in the instruction of students in General Entomology and field- work. In addition to this heavy routine work, he has con- tinued his investigations on the Aleyrodidce and other Hemiptera. The Second Assistant, Mr. C. C. Ghosh, was on privilege leave from May 6th to June 30th, 1912. He has been in charge of the Insectary and has continued to carry out extremely useful work on many insect pests. Mr. G. R. Dutt, Third Assistant, has had the Economic Collec- tions, records, correspondence and the distribution of coloured plates and lantern slides in his charge. In August 1911, he was sent to the Punjab and remained there for nearly three months organising and directing the campaign against the Cotton Bollworm. In this and his other work he has done admirably. Mr. Nowrojee, who was away on privilege leave from December 15th, 1911, to January 14th, 1912, has been in charge of the general collections and has done good work in arranging and keeping them in order. Mr. M. N. De had charge of the Silk House and has shown much interest in the work. 66 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 2. Visitors. — Mr. A. E. Andrews, Entomologist to the Indian Tea Association, worked in the Laboratory during the latter part of December and the beginning of January and again in February. Dr. A. D. Imms, Forest Zoologist, visited the section for a short time in January. Dr. H. Morstatt, Entomologist at Amani, German East Africa, worked for a time in the Laboratory. Mr. Johann Lang of the Basel Mission, Calicut, came to Pusa to acquaint himself with the details of Eri Silk culture and spent a short time working in the Silk House. Mr. Akhtar Mohammad Khan, Deputy Collector in the United Provinces, on special duty for silk work, visited Pusa during March to consult with the Officiating Imperial Entomologist. 3. Training. — The Assistant Professor of Entomology at the Lyallpur Agricultural College continued his course of training, but was recalled to his Province before this was completed. The Entomological Assistant in the North- West Frontier Province, after completing his course, remained working in the Laboratory until October 14th, 1911, and again from December 1st, 1911, till February 22nd, 1912, preparing show-cases of insect pests found in his Province. An Entomological and Mycological Collector to the Department of Agriculture, Bengal, was trained in Economic Entomology from August 10th, 1911, to February 22nd, 1912. A private student deputed by the Department of Agriculture, Travancore, for a course in General Ento- mology, was admitted on June 1st, 1912. Seventeen students attended the short courses in Sericulture; seven completed their course and five are sfill being trained. The two courses in Lac cultivation were attended by thirteen students. 4. Provincial Work. — The importance of work in the Provinces is now fully realised as indicated by the appoint- ment of an Entomologist to the Government of Madras. There are, however, only eighteen assistants working in the Provinces and two are still under training. Under these conditions the progress of the work of demonstrating to the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 67 agricultural classes the principles of Economic Entomology must necessarily be slow. Pusa has continued to assist the Provinces, whenever requested, by checking and advising upon the work of the assistants and in many cases the techni- cal work has been referred to Pusa, leaving the assistants free to carry out practical work in the field. In Madras a vigorous campaign was carried on against the Deccan Grasshopper, Colemania sphenarioides, Bol. Bagging and ploughing of infested lands were carried out and a leaflet detailing the methods to be adopted against the hopper was issued. Light -trap experiments for the moths of the Hairy Caterpillars were also continued. Eri Silk culture was started and its suitability as a cottage industry for Southern India tested. In the Central Provinces, the experiments against white- ants were continued in collaboration with the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Northern Circle, Hoshangabad. From past experiments with the mound-building form of termites, oiling the nest with low grade kerosine oil (as ordinarily procurable in the bazaars) was found most effec- tive. Tests were also made with the " Universal Ant Ex- terminator." Arrangements were also made with the Director of Agriculture, Central Provinces, for the despatch of parasites of the Cotton Bollworms to Lyallpur, and for some time the Entomological Assistant was engaged in col- lecting and sending out the parasitized bollworms to Pusa and Lyallpur. Early in August information was received from the Director of Agriculture, Punjab, of a possible outbreak of the bollworms. Arrangements were therefore made for sending out the parasites from Surat and Nagpur to an assistant from Pusa to organise the work at Lyallpur. An acre under cotton and two acres under hhindi were also sown at Pusa to establish the bollworm parasites. By the end of October the parasite {Rhogas lefroyi) was well established in the Punjab and a leaflet was issued in the vernacular of the Province, explaining how the bollworm should be dealt with. 68 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH In the United Provinces, active measures have been adopted against the Rice Grasshopper, Rieroglyfhus furcifer, a serious pest to sugar-cane. In Bengal successful demonstrations were made against the Potato Moth {Phthorimcea operciilella Zel.) and the advantages of storing seed-potatoes under sand v^ere de- monstrated to the Kaoris as well as to others engaged in the potato trade. A leaflet, explaining the methods to be adopted against the moth, was distributed at Tirhut and Bankipore Exhibitions. The campaign against A gratis ypsilon was continued. The picking off of the first brood of caterpillars and the setting up of Andres-Maire traps reduced the loss during the past year to a minimum, so much so that out of a total area of 20,000 bighas, only 2,000 were affected. Eri work was begun and the Department com- pleted a Crop-pests Handbook. In Eastern Bengal and Assam, the Ufra disease of paddy, probably caused by an eel-worm, was investigated. In Baroda, the campaign against the Katra (Hairy Caterpillar) was continued. Practical demonstrations were made and rewards were offered to cultivators for keeping the field embankments clean as a preventive against the pest. In the North-West Frontier Province, on the resumption of duties by the Entomological Assistant, a survey of the crop-pests of the Province was started and effective measures were taken against the Peach and Tobacco Aphides. 5. Corresfondence. — The work of replying to the numerous requests for information and advice on the many branches of entomological work continues to demand much time and attention, but in view of the importance of this part of the work of the section, no efforts have been spared to give applicants as full information as possible. Seventy- eight parcels of insects were received for identification and suggestion of methods of treatment and this was done as far as we were able in each case. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 69 6. Research. — The investigation of the habits and biology of insect-pests has been continued and among those studied may be mentioned the " Bherwa," the Fish Insect, White Weevil, Mango Leaf Hopper, Surface Grasshopper, Para- sites of Cotton Bollworms, Cane Borer, Cane Fly, Wheat Stem Borer, Termites, Grain and Flour Beetles. The ex- periments on the preservation of wood and other materials from the attacks of Termites (white-ants) are still in pro- gress and the efficacy of various preparations and the relative immunity of different kinds of woods are being tested. At the request of the Bihar Planters' Association, an investigation into the '' Psylla " disease of indigo was commenced and is being continued. 7. Insecticides. — A number of preparations sent in for trial were tested and reported on. The first edition of Bulletin No. 23 on insecticides speedily ran out of print and a second edition revised and with some additions has been published. As many inquiries have been received as to where various insecticides and spraying machines were obtainable lists of the firms supplying these have been pre- pared and circulated. 8. Sericulture. — The experiments with crossing multi- and univoltine races of Mulberry Silkworms to procure a superior silk-producing multivoltine race have been conti- nued but though many crosses were made, it has up to the present been impossible to produce a stable multivoltine race, although as mentioned last year some imj^rovement has been obtained in the quality of the silk. Univoltine European races were successfully reared on pruned tree mulberry, wild mulberry and bush mulberry and arrangements have been made to distribute eggs of these univoltine races for rearing in October. The difficulty with these eggs is that the temperature of the plains is too high to preserve them successfully during the dormant period and arrangements have been made to send the eggs to places in the hills where the temperature is not so extreme. The Eri Silkworms were reared successfully throughout the year except in May and June, when, owing to the 70 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH extreme heat and dry conditions, the worms did not thrive and disease broke out in the cocoon stage, necessitating the rejection of the majority of the eggs obtained. Numerous requests have been received for disease- free Eri and Mulberry Silkworm eggs, samples of cocoons, thread and cloth, pamphlets, castor seed and mulberry cuttings and seeds, and these have been complied with whenever possible. Exhibits were sent to the Bankipore Exhibition and to the Exposition held in connection with the Anniversary of the Calcutta Scientific and Industrial Association. A demonstration of Eri and Mulberry Silk rearing, reeling, spinning, weaving, etc., was given at the Tirhut Agricul- tural Exhibition held this year at Pusa. One drawback to the progress of the Eri Silk industry is still the difficulty which small rearers have of getting rid of the cocoons when they have obtained them, as the mills will only take large quantities for spinning. 9, Lac-culture. — The work of collecting and sorting the specimens of lac insects, received from the various Forest Range Officers, was continued. Experiments in lac culture were again carried out and two short courses on Lac culti- vation were given, thirteen students receiving instruction. Numerous enquiries were received and answered regarding the cultivation, and brood-lac was supplied to a number of applicants. Inoculated Ber and Kusumh plants were also sent to Japan. An exhibit, showing the details of lac- culture, was sent to the Tirhut Exhibition held at Pusa and copies of a leaflet on the subject written in the verna- cular were distributed. 10. Apiculture. — Two more colonies of American Italian bees were obtained from England in November 1911 and have proved very successful from the honey-gathering point of view, but so far, all attempts to obtain fertilized queens for multiplying the colonies have failed, apparently largely owing to the activities of certain bee-eating birds. The experiments will be continued, as it is important to deter- mine whether it is possible to multiply the colonies in this country. Experiments have also been made with the INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PI SA, FOR 1911-12. 71 common Indian bee, Apis indica, and attempts have been made to accustom it to the modern bar-frame hive. These in a measure have proved successful, but progress is slow largely owing to suitable appliances not being available and more experiments are necessary before a definite opinion can be expressed. Several enquiries have been received with regard to apiculture and these have been answered as far as possible. 11. Demonstration. — The work of adding to the number of coloured plates of insect pests was continued and the new ones issued to the Provinces. A number of complete sets of coloured lantern slides were also issued. As mentioned previously, exhibits were sent to several Exhibitions. 12. Insect Survey. — Additions have been made to the general collections. Unnamed specimens of Tettigidce, Passalidce, Cantharidce, Rutelinm and Fsyllidce have been sent to specialists for identification and many of the collec- tions sent out last year have been received back with the required information. Specimens have been identified for Provincial Assistants, the Indian Museum and many private collectors. 13. Programme of work for 1912-13. As in previous years the work of investigating and advising upon insect pests will be continued. Assistance will be given, when desired, in co-ordinating the work of the Provincial Assistants and special help will be given in case of any serious outbreak. The preparation and issue of coloured plates and lantern slides will be proceeded with as before. The short courses in Lac cultivation and Eri and Mulberry silk-culture will be continued. Further experiments will be made with European and Indian bees. It is hoped that the collections of lac insects will be completed during the period. Eri silkworms will be reared and requests for help and advice will be complied with as far as practicable. The experimental work with Mulberry silkworms will be continued. New insecticides and apparatus sent in for trial will be tested and reported 72 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH upon. The field experiments with wheat and sugar-cane will be continued and further experiments have been com- menced and will be carried on with a view to test the relative immunity of different varieties of cotton to the bollworm and also to extend the observations on the bollworm parasite. ] 14. PUBLICATONS. The following is a list of jDublications which have ap- peared during the period under review. As material accumulates, other Memoirs on the life-histories of insects will be prepared. Several Memoirs are now in prepara- tion and include life-histories of Orthoptera, Herniptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The revision of Insects injurious to Indian A griculture is being proceeded with. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. The Food of Birds in India. C. W. Mason, edited by H. Maxwell-Lefroy. January, 1912. Eri Silk. H. Maxwell-Lefroy and C. C. Gliosli. May, 1912. Life-histories of Indian Insects II. Some Aquatic Rliynchota and Coleoptera. D. Nowrojee. April, 1912. Life-histories of Indian Insects III. The Rhinoceros Beetle [Oryctes rliinoceros) and the Red or Palm Weevil (RJiynchophorus ferrugineus). C. C. Ghosh. December, 1911. Second Edition of Bulletin No. 23 on Insecticides, by H. Maxwell-Lefroy, revised with many additions, by T. Bainbrig-ge Fletcher. May, 1912. Grasserie in Silk-worms. M. N. De. Agri. Journal, July, 1911. Weevil and Dry Wheat. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher. (Agri. Journal, October, 1911.) A. Simple Honey-exiractor. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher. (Agri. Journal, October, 1911.) The Wax Moth. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher. (Agri. Journal, October, 1911.) The Cabbage White Butterfly. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher. (Agri. Journal, January, 1912.) Article on Litchi Mite. C. S. Misra. (Agri. Journal, July, 1912.) INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. H Leaflet on the Bolhvoriii in Cotton (Gnruv^iikJii). October, 1911. Cotton Bollworms in the United Provinces (Vernacular). C. S. Misra. January, 1912. The following are in the Press : — Memoir on Tetriginse. Dr. J. L. Hancock. Memoir on Life-histories of Hymenoptera. G. R. Dutt. Memoir on the Big Brown Cricket. C. C. Ghosh. Bulletin No. 28 on the Cultivation of Lac in the Plains of India. C. S. Misra. Bulletin No. 29 on Eri Silk. 74 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL PATHOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGIST. (F. M. HowLETT, B.A., F.E.S.) The programme for the past year has been considerably modified in consequence of the much closer relation with medical work which now exists. I am indebted to the Administrators of the Medical Research Fund for the addi- tion of three posts to my staff, of which two have already been filled. These extra men will be engaged exclusively with " medical " entomology, and there will thus be at least two men available for Veterinary, Agricultural, and general work. The provision of these posts has rendered the question of accommodation more acute than ever, and a portion of the extra space required has been j^rovided by the erection of a small supplementary laboratory now completed. I have already put forward certain suggestions for the establishment of a medico-entomological laboratory for Northern India where entomologists and medical officers could work at any group of blood-sucking insects under the best conditions for obtaining material and observing the living insects in their natural habitat without undue risk to health. Such a laboratory should be in a district where blood-sucking insects attain their maximum abundance and variety : examples of such tracts are the lower slopes of the Himalayas and the Western Ghats and certain parts of Assam. It should be in some place having a climate suffi- ciently cool to allow of operations such as section-cutting to be carried on without inconvenience at any season, but should be on a railway or good road affording easy access to tracts where insects abound. The establishment of such a laboratory at some place fulfilling these conditions {e.g., Shillong, the Kurseong neighbourhood, the Naini Tal road from Kathgodam, Igatpuri) would not necessarily entail any large expenditure if a site were available, and would fNSTlTUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 75 enable observations to be carried on with a facility un- obtainable at any existing laboratory known to me, with the possible exception of Coonoor and Madras. The work of the section has been largely concerned with mosquitos, and the life-histories of eighteen species of Pusa mosquitos have now been worked out. Special attention has been paid to the genus Stegomyia and allied forms, and a five weeks' course of instruction has been given to medical officers deputed to the " Stegomyia-survey "' in connexion Avith the possible future importation of yellow fever. Seven officers attended the course. The most inter- esting point discovered regarding Stegomyia life-histories is that during cold and dry weather the two commoner species at Pusa {S. scutellaris and S. thomsoni) survive normally as dry eggs and not as active, hibernating, or sestivating adults. This has an important bearing on the practical question of checking the increase of Stegomyia. Investigations have been begun on general mosquito bionomics, the main heads being the influence of tempera- ture on mosquitos ; methods of colouring or otherwise mark- ing mosquitos in order to study their movements, and the range and rate of flight under natural conditions; sexual reactions of mosquitos; new larvicides; the food, feeding, and digestion of mosquito-larvse ; fish and other enemies of mosquito-larvas. The difficult question of the breeding- places and habits of Phlehotomus has been taken up. A possible association with Termites may prove of importance. Si7nulium-ii\iQ?>tQdi streams at Simla were examined with a view to finding methods of decreasing the numbers of the fly, but local conditions are such that no cheap method seems apj^licable. The life-history of the Crab-louse (P. inguinalis) was worked out (apparently for the first time), and its curious habits studied. Other subjects which received attention are the para- sites of Tabanus albimedius and of Monofhlebus stebbingi var. octocaudata, the nature of the attraction of citronella oil for fruit flies of the genus Dasyneura, the life-history of Celyphidw and improvements in mosquito-traps. The 76 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH East Indian Railway school at Jharipani was subjected to hydrocyanic acid fumigation on account of a plague of bugs, and the result appears to have been satisfactory. As Secretary of the Entomological Sub-Committee appointed by the Malaria Conference in Bombay, I assisted in drawing up a scheme for organising work in pathologi- cal entomology. A hand-book dealing with methods of drawing and re- producing illustrations for scientific papers has been passed for publication. Programme of work for 1912-13. The programme for the ensuing year will be subject to modification in accordance with any special requirements on the medical and veterinary side : Directors of Agriculture are being circularized in order that we may ascertain whether with respect to the latter there are any particular directions in which investigation is required. The special lines of work suggested by the Medical Department are mosquito bionomics and the breeding-habits of sandflies ; both of these will be continued, and will in all probability form the major part of "medical" investigations; the former subject alone is one to which several years of work might be devoted. It is suggested that an appeal should be circulated throughout the country to enlist helpers and stimulate interest in medical entomology, and that specimens and information received should be dealt with either at Pusa or Kasauli ; details of the arrangements are still under con- Bideration, but at least some part of the work in this con- nexion would be done at Pusa. Identification of specimens and any other work that may be required in connexion with the '' Stegomyia- survey'' will be undertaken, and more detailed observations of these mosquitos will be carried on. Experiments on methods of checking their increase have been begun at Pusa, and will continue until the onset of the cold weather. An attempt will be made to elucidate the nature of the influence of citronella oil on fruit-flies : some unexpected INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 77 results were obtained in the course of the past summer, and a clearer understanding of the matter is desirable in view of the wide distribution of these flies and the serious damage they inflict in various countries. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL AGRICULTURAL BACTERIOLOGIST. (C. M. Hutchinson, B.A.) I held charge of the section throughout the year. 1. Charge and Establishment .—The First Assistant Mr. N. V. Joshi was on privilege leave from October 9th to 23rd December 1911 and the Second Assistant Mr. K. S. Viswanatham was on privilege leave from April 9th to 29th June 1912. All the Assistants in the section showed great interest in the work, and not only worked daily several hours over- time but made themselves sufficientlv familiar with French and German to be able to read and make translations into English from papers published in these languages. 2. Tours. — To Rangpur to observe the conditions of incidence of bacterial disease of tobacco. To Jorhat to see the manurial experiments carried out by Mr. Meggitt and the new Experiment Station of the Indian Tea Association. To Dacca to consult Mr. Finlow on the subject of bac- terial action in jute retting and " heart damage." To Lyalljjur to consult Mr. Barnes on the subject of " Reh " soils and to deliver a course of lectures on soil bacteriology. 3. Soil Bacteriology. — The work of the Bacteriological Section at Pusa during the year has been mainly directed towards ascertaining what factors determine biologic acti- vity in Indian soils, and to the measurement of the changes resulting therefrom under various conditions. The main problem so far dealt with has been the supply of available nitrogen as provided by the biolysis of such substances as green manures, root residues, and organic manures. No work has been done upon nitrogen assimilation by Legume bacteria or such organisms as Azotobacter. Clostridium, or Rhizobium. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 79 The method of determining the biologic activity of a soil by plate counts has been abandoned in favour of methods depending upon measurement of the physiological activity of the soil organisms. By the use of such methods biological analyses of soils may be carried out which w^ill provide indications as to their relative capabilities for dealing successfully with organic manures. Far more valuable information, however, is also obtained bv such analyses. By the use of fairly large portions of soil it is perfectly feasible to set up and maintain conditions of moisture and aeration comparable with those in the field, and to determine in the laboratory for any particular soil under w^iat conditions of water supply, tillage, and addi- tion of lime or manures, either natural or artificial, the greatest amount of ammonification and nitrification will result. It has been ascertained by numerous experiments that the rate of formation of carbon dioxide in a soil is directly proportional to the biologic activity of that soil, and that conditions unfavourable to the latter will also adversely influence the former. A simple method of measuring the rate of formation of carbon dioxide in soils under various conditions has been devised and by this means it is possible to determine Avhat moisture content of any paHicular soil is the optimum for bacterial activity; this has been found to vary from as high as 37 per cent, in one case to as low as 16 per cent, in another. By the same method the effect of the addition of various manures, organic or mineral, may be observed, and it has been found possible in this way to prescribe the addition of certain substances, such as lime or superphosphate, to a soil in order to promote the decomposition of green manures, oil-cake, or cattle manure buried in it. Similarly by determining the o])timum mois- ture content, recommendations can be made as to variations in field practice which would tend to dry out the soil in one case or to conserve moisture in another; a very large number of observations have been made as to the conditions under which ammonification and nitrification take place in 80 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Indian soils. It has been found that important differences exist between the biological changes taking place in the latter and those which have been observed in the soils of Europe; these differences appear to be due to the high average temperatures of Indian soils and their consequently high relative rate of bacterial action. In soil at tempera- tures between 15° C. and 18° C. the process of ammonifica- tion, which is the natural and necessary predecessor of nitrification, takes place at such a rate as to allow the latter to proceed pari passu; in many Indian soils, however, it has been found that at the higher temperatures 25° C. to 30° C. which obtain in them for many months in the year, ammoni- fication may proceed w4th such rapidity as to produce a concentration of ammonia in the soil water sufficiently high to interfere with nitrification or even to inhibit it alto- gether. Where large quantities of nitrogenous organic matter are turned into the soil and put under intensive cultivation much nitrogen may be lost in the form of ammonia, and experiments have shown that the biolysis of organic nitrogenous material requires very careful investi- gation from this point of view. It is evident that these facts must be taken into account in selecting the time of year for applying organic manures, along with other considerations depending on local meteo- rological conditions and the optimum moisture content of the soil. Further experiments have demonstrated another source of loss of nitrate nitrogen. It has been shewn that where intense bacterial action is taking place in soil any nitrates present will be reduced without the occurrence of anaerobic conditions; it appears probable that the nitrate is utilized as a source of nitrogen by the bacteria. It was found, for instance, that in Pusa soil the optimum moisture content for nitrification is 16 per cent, whereas general bacterial action is intense up to 25 per cent, and at the latter figure rapid reversion of nitrate to the protein form takes place. This would help to explain observations made in field prac- tice both at Pusa and in the Punjab, that excess of soil INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 81 moisture produces nitrogen starvation of the wheat crop; the importance of biological analysis of irrigated soils by such methods will readily be realized. A special enquiry has been carried on and is still pro- ceeding, to determine the conditions under which bacterio- toxins are formed in soils and their effect in inhibiting bacterial action. The work of Greig Smith of N. S. Wales on this subject has demonstrated its importance, and ex- periments at Pusa have fully confirmed his views. Mr. Meggitt, Agricultural Chemist, Eastern Bengal and Assam, with whom I hope to collaborate on this subject, has carried out a series of investigations on similar lines, but the en- quiry is not sufficiently complete for detailed report. A complete series of experiments on green manuring was designed and commenced, in collaboration with the Imperial iigriculturist. This included observations in the field and in the laboratory as to the effect of varying treat- ment of the green crop (Crotalaria juncea) upon the condi- tion of the soil and upon the succeeding crop. Field varia- tions included burying after varying periods of growth, at different depths, and in conjunction with various arti- ficial manures. Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the rate and kind of change of the buried organic material under various conditions, with special reference to the formation of nitrate, and in order to obtain data which might help to elucidate the problems connected with the occasional failure of green manuring to improve soil conditions. This enquiry will continue over two more seasons. 4. Plant Pathology. — A bacterial disease of tobacco at Rangpur was investigated and found to be due to an infec- tion of B. Solanacearum. The strain isolated was found to be also pathogenic to Solamim Melongena, Tomato, Datura and Potato. The incidence of the disease at Rang- pur and Burirhat was not apparently associated with any insect attack or specially unfavourable soil conditions, and was not heavy enough to cause apprehension as to future spread. The parasitism of the causative organism as G 82 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH isolated from diseased plants in the field was found to be insufficiently strong to attack healthy plants, although by passage through several individuals or by artificial culture on Potato it could be raised to a high degree of virulence. For this reason the practice of leaving the plants in the ground for a second cutting should be avoided in infected areas. A bacterial disease of wheat in the Punjab, locally known as " Tannan " or " Tandu," was investigated; this was found to be due to the attack of a bacillus closely resem- bling Ps. Hyacinthi which invests the opening ear with a sticky growth causing deformation and stunting and pre- venting ripening of the grain. The attack is confined to small badly drained areas and can probably be avoided by proper cultivation; its distribution is limited and it is pro- bably of no economic importance. 5. Programme of work for 1912-13. Work on influence of soil conditions upon nitrification will be continued. A new line of enquiry will be commenced this year with the object of determining the conditions under which nitro- gen fixation by so-called non-symbiotic organisms may balance losses of nitrogen due to various causes under agri- cultural conditions. The green manuring experiments will be continued in collaboration with the Imperial Agriculturist. Should time permit an attempt will be made to obtain more precise data as to the effect of variations in tempera- ture, moisture, and aeration upon nitrification in soils with special reference to field conditions and agricultural prac- tice. The apparent inhibitory action of various crops will be taken into account, and the effect of different systems of cultivation upon aeration and moisture content of soil. Work on formation of soil toxins and their influence upon bacterial action will be continued. It is hoped that this may be done in collaboration with Mr. Meggitt. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 83 Experimental work on the " Uf ra " disease of Paddy with reference to soil conditions will be continued. Indigo wilt. — This will be investigated with a view to the possibility of its bacterial origin. Training of students will be continued. 6. List of Publications. Hutchinson, C. M. — Studies in Bacieriological Analysis of Indian Soils — No. 1, 1910-11 (Mem. Dept. of Agriculture in India, Bacteriological Series, Vol, I, No. 1), 0 2 84 REPORT OF THE AGRTCT'LTTTRAL RESEARCH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL COTTON SPECIALIST. (G. A. Gammie, F.L.S.) I held charge of the appointment throughout the year. The first two months were devoted to the establishment of the series of experiments on which I had decided to work out the manurial requirements of the cotton plant in India and the differences which may perhaps accrue from the presence of various manurial ingredients' in the soil. This enquiry will only give data for estimating results in the course of a few years. In September and the early part of October I visited the Mysore State to suggest some preliminary lines of experi- ments. The greater part of October was devoted to a tour in the Punjab and the United Provinces. In November I visited Berar and then attended the Con- ference of the Agricultural Board at Pusa where I had opportunities of discussing cotton work with members of all the Agricultural Departments in India. In January I visited Assam to advise a planting firm regarding the cultivation of cotton in that Province. During the intervals throughout the year I was engaged in supervising my own experiments and in advising, with some degree of detail, more than twelve correspondents in India and other parts of the East, on special points con- nected with the cultivation of cotton. To further my botanical researches I obtained seeds of the indigenous cottons in the Kashmir State and the varie- ties of wild cottons existing in Sind. A number of cotton samples were exhibited and ex- plained at the Mysore Industrial Exhibition. For these the committee awarded a diploma and the notes accom- panying the exhibits were considered sufficiently useful to be quoted in full in the Exhibition catalogue. A set of cottons were sent for exhibition in the North- West Frontier TNSTTrrTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 8B Province, by Mr. Robertson Brown, who considered that the quality of the samples would help the cultivators to realise how cotton should be turned out for the market. To simplify this Report for purposes of reference 1 give the information I have gathered from each Province separately. The Central Provinces and Berar. — Mr. Low, the Director of Agriculture, at the general meeting of Agri- cultural Associations at Akola, in November, ably summa- rised the present condition of cotton cultivation in his Pro- vince and, as this paper was presumably only for the infor- mation of members and visitors and will probably never attain general circulation, I take the liberty of transcribing such portions as pertain to my subject. Having beer- honoured by being allowed to follow closely the w^ork done in the Province, since its initiation, I can vouch for the requires no apology for its introduction. accuracy of the details, and the importance of the subject The centre of cotton work is at the Akola Experimental Station, which w^as opened six years ago. Great care was taken to select uniform areas for the different series of experiments. This was done by growing juar over the whole area to start with and by selecting areas of uniform fertility as ascertained by experimental weighings. Where the land was found to be uneven in fertility, as proved by variations in the outturns, it was discarded as being un- suited for experimental purposes. From the experiments, which have now been going on for five years, several very practical lessons have already been learnt. These are being carried into practice in the non-experimental areas and are also being recommended for adoption by other cotton growers. It has been proved that the turn wrest plough is an excellent implement foi- eradi- cating weeds and for deep and thorough cultivation gener- ally; that the Hoshangabad iron tined hakhar is a very useful implement for uprooting cotton stalks in the field before preparing the land for the next year's crop ; that the Akola hoe is a better implement than the Berar donra for 86 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH interculture as it produces a deeper tilth in the black cotton soil. Turn wrest ploughs will, in future, be made in India by Messrs. Burn & Co., Calcutta, and agents have arranged to stock them at the various cotton centres. Much attention is being paid to experiments with the different manures on this farm and the excellent crops that clothe the fields are largely the result of high manuring. Most cultivators in this Division grudge to pay even 12 annas for a cart-load of cattle dung ; its manurial value for cotton is at least twice that. The cultivator who neglects to manure his land is a loser because by withholding one small item of expenditure, namely, manure, he lessens very considerably the effectiveness of the other items, viz., cost of cultivation, seed and supervision. Increased outturns have been obtained on the farm from the use of cattle dung, poudrette and saltpetre as manures for cotton and juar. The most economical of these is poudrette which is obtain- able in fairly large quantities from all the large towns in Berar. A source of manure which is neglected all over India at present is cattle urine when conserved by the dry earth system. It has been proved at Akola that, for cotton and juar, the manurial value of a farm animal's urine is equal to that of its dung and by conserving the liquid manure, the value of the manure available on a farm can be doubled. Nitrogenous fertilizers, such as nitrate of soda and saltpetre, when used as a top-dressing after the application of cattle dung, have also given very good results. It will pay to use them as a manure for cotton to supplement the inadequate supply of cattle dung so long as the price of that staple remains high. The quantity of lint yielded by each variety varies from 36| seers per acre for hani to 80^ seers for rosea. As the value of a cotton depends very largely on the quantity of lint which it gives, rosea stands easily first and hani is dis- tinctly the poorest yielder. The advantage to be gained by growing rosea in preference to Berar jari is that it gives INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 87 more kafas and a higher percentage of lint. A profit of about Rs. Ill per acre is made on this farm by growing rosea instead of Berar jari. Malvensis also does well in certain localities and the lint is much superior to that of rosea, but it is a less profitable variety to grow owing to the lower percentage of lint which it yields. Vera closely resembles rnalvensis and cutchica somewhat resembles rosea. Bani or Ilingangliat kappas is, from the point of view of quality, one of the best cottons grown in India, but it gives less than half as much lint as rosea and buyers are not willing to pay more than from 20 to 30 per cent, more for its lint than for that of rosea. Consequently it is hope- less to expect that it can be grown as profitably as rosea. The only chance of improving it with effect seems to be to raise the ginning percentage. The strain, evolved by selec- tion on the farm gives 3 per cent, more lint than ordinary hani. Bhuri is the best exotic cotton yet tried in the Province. It is entirely resistant to wilt which is now doing consider- able damage to Berar jari in certain parts of the Division. Bhuri is recommended for such areas and for the rich khari lands of the villages. It suffers more from drought than Berar jari but less from excessive rain. Before this farm war, opened the terms rosea, malvensis, cutchica, etc., were quite unknown, but now these are household words in Berar and many cultivators are growing these varieties pure for seed distribution. Rosea is being grown on 31 seed farms in this Division; malvensis and cutchica on 4, hhuri on 33, and it is reckoned that there are 5,000 acres under this new variety in Berar alone this season. It is gratifying to note that all this has been accomplished by the Department of Agriculture, mainly through the agency of the Akola Farm, within the short space of five years, and that these different varieties had never been grown pure previous to that time. Several cultural points have also been decided, such as that topping 88 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH cotton reduces the yield, that the best spacing distance for Berar jari is 15 inches apart for the rows and 7 inches apart for the plants in the rows, that cotton sown before the monsoon breaks gets a good start and gives a larger yield than that sown after the rains have set in, if the blanks are dibbled in. Mr. Clouston adds that cotton grown continuously in the same field for a period of years has become a fairly common practice in Berar. This disregard of the principle of rotation in cropping is decried by scientists, who attri- bute to it the spread of insect pests and fungoid diseases. The results, up to date, however, have not justified that assumption. The experiment has now gone on for four years ; no trace of disease and no serious damage by insects have yet been noticed. Economically the practice has proved a sound one owing to the high price of cotton and it is, therefore, being followed in the non-experimental area of the farm. Finally, the increasing demand for pure rosea seed has been very marked. The Department admit that, in this part of India, hhuri cannot be grown at as large a profit as rosea, except in wilt-infested, wet or khari areas. Cambo- dia cotton gives a poor return. It is more than a month later than the indigenous varieties and suffers from the early cessation of the rains in Berar. In my last year's report I explained the good work that is being done at the Khandwa Agricultural Station by Mr. G. Evans, the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Northern Division, Central Provinces. This year he has furnished samples of five sorts of cottons grown at the same station and of two samples which he has picked out during his researches throughout his District. One is from Chhapara, a high plateau in the Seoni District of the Satpura, and the other from Patau in a part of the Jubbulpore District which is liable to early frost. He considers from the geographical situation of both tracts that an early ripening variety is absolutely essential. From the valuations it INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 89 is evident that these tracts already possess a fairly valu- able cxDtton. Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co. have kindly furnished me with the following valuations and lemarks on all the above- mentioned seven samples : — Valuation furnished hy Messrs. Tata, Sons Sf Co., Bombay, on the seven samples of cotton from Khandica, on 20th February 1912. Serial No. o 6 Name of sample. Bhuri Remarks. Malvensis Cotton from Chhapara Saugor jari . Local . Koseum Patun Compared with local cotton of Kliandwa this cotton is far and away superior. It is soft and silky in feel and has a fine long fibre. It is more like the Bassim cotton of the tableland. Taking Akola as our basis for valuation at Rs. 275 we value tliis cotton 15 rupees higher, say Rs. 290. Same style of cotton as No. 1, but the length of the fibre is slightly shorter though the staple shows more strength. Same value as above, viz., Rs. 290 per candy. Bengal style of cotton, but of superior quahty for which we value it 10 rupees higher than Fine Bengal, viz., Rs. 280 per candy (Bengal Fine Rs. 270). Same style as No. 6, but a shade better and more even in staple. Value Rs. 275. Same as No. 4. Value Rs. 275. This cotton is equal to local Khandwa cotton and shows no improvement. Value same as for local Khandwa cotton, i.e., Rs. 270 per candy. Punjab style of cotton. Comjjaiod with No. 3 it is inferior in colour but a sliadc better in staple. It is more like fine Mooltan cotton. Value Rs. 265. Punjab.— I visited the Punjab in October and complet- ed a joint inspection of the cottons of that Province, with Mr. Milne, the Economic Botanist. There are two varieties of the dark flowered and broad iobed G. sanguineum, one with dark, the other with green &(3 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH stems. Great variations in staple are found in these plants. Selection experiments have proceeded probably as far as they can be taken and the staple obtained attains the length of -8 inch. It has been proved that the shortest staple is associated with the hardiest and darkest coloured plants. Excepting the characteristic of coloration which is a negligible factor in other parts of India, the above fact is a further confirmation of our experience that hardi- ness and poor staple are companion characters. The variety which I have already published under the name of G. oh tusi folium var. hirsutior seemed to be un- suited for cultivation owing to its prolonged season of growth, but it may yet prove useful in cross-breeding. The remaining indigenous forms of Punjab cottons are yellow and white flowered forms of neglectum and indicum, all, however, with a strong tendency to show true neglec- tum characters. Khaki hirsutum is unsatisfactory from its producing cotton of varying tints and many bolls bear quite white cotton. A good, even, white colour is a desideratum in a cotton produced for sale in the Indian market and buyers are prejudiced against coloured cottons. Of the indigenous types the broad lobed sanguineums are by far the most promising and it would be well to draw the attention of the cultivators to these as they are of a particularly desirable type. The outturns of all the plots appear to be excellent. The Upland cottons were described to me by an Ameri- can expert as being the best he had seen outside the United States. Two varieties come into bearing as early as the indigen- ous cottons, but it is still to be seen whether they are quite early enough to save one watering or not and this is a matter of imjDortant consideration to the zemindar. The successful introduction of these cottons into more general INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 9l cultivation will, of course, depend on the willingness of the selected zemindars to devote more careful attention to cultural methods than they at present exercise in the case of their deshi cottons. The valuations received on these cottons show, by a comparison of outturns, that the most highly priced varieties are by no means the most profitable to grow. Mr. Conville, a local cotton merchant, mentioned that during this year he had observed a great improvement in the cultivation of cotton in the Colony and he attributed this advance to the good example held out by the Lyallpur Farm. He considers that the bad practices of cotton sell- ers and buyers, ginneries, etc., have helped to lower the prestige of Indian cottons. Mr. Miliades says that in his long experience of Lyall- pur, the yield of cotton has fallen from 10 to 12 maunds to 4 or 5 maunds per acre. He thinks that this decrease is wholly caused by the diminishing fertility of the soil which was practically virgin land only a few years ago. Mr. Milne explained to me that the natural indigenous vegeta- tion of the tract before the days of irrigation consisted mainly of leguminous plants and that the cotton yielded its maximum while the plants could draw on the nitrogen stored in the soil. His idea of introducing Berseem or Egyptian clover as a fodder and a renovator of the soil is a sound one and I shall follow with interest the results of his experiments. The deterioration of some well-known staples in the Punjab is said to be due to careless cultiva- tion and treatment. Multan cotton (a pure sanr/mneum) is a hardy cotton capable of producing full crops on the western side of the Province. Mr. Miliades considers that even now, in many respects, he prefers this cotton to the Narma or acclimatized Upland cotton. Mr. Roberts is growing on a field scale what has been handed over to him by the Economic Botanist and he already has urgent demands for select seed from the culti- vators. This is, in itself, sound proof that the cultivators realize the value of what is being done for them. The 92 REPORT OF THE AGRlClTLTURAL RESEARCH maintenance of pure types in their hands, however, is the most difficult problem confronting the Department and it is impossible to foresee at present how it can be solved. A due appreciation of the difficulties of this task leads us to the conclusion that, although a number of varieties can be safely tried on a small scale, for distribution purposes it would repay the Department to work with one deshi and one American only. Afterwards when it is known that special tracts require their own special varieties, then the safest course to pursue would be to establish seed farms on these areas. This has been already successfully accom- plished in the Central Provinces. Messrs. Tata & Sons of Bombay have courteously given me a report on Punjab cottons drawn up by one of their agents who was buying Upland cottons. The following is the gist of it : " The deshi and American cotton grown in the Lyallpur District have been deteriorated by boll weevil and frost and in some parts large tracts of cotton fields have been totally destroyed. The total crop in this district would be about 10,000 to 11,000 bales, whereas last year it was about 35,000 bales. The general complaints about the kcifas this year are large percentage of unripe kafas, yellow stains from boll weevil and short staple. These tend to give decreased outturn and dull colour. The culti- vation of American cotton is not yet universally taken up in the whole district. It is chiefly grown on the horse- breeding farms, called Risala, the Agricultural Farm and by a few private farmers. The crop of Risala No. 15 is the best in the district this season. The seed was obtained from the Agricultural Farm, which obtained it from Dhar- war some years ago. On the whole the quality of this cotton is good except that no care seems to have been taken in picking. The fibres are strong and pliable and the regularity in their length would enable good yarn up to 24' to 40' to be made in warp and weft. I am sorry I am not able to make the same remarks on other American cottons grown in the district. INSTITT'TE AND COLLEGE, PFSA, FOR 1911-12. 93 " I have seen several samples of American cotton grown by farmers and have not seen any equal to that of No. 16 Risala. Generally there is an apathy to cultivate Ameri- can cotton as it gives less percentage of lint and requires more care than deshi kafas. The Agricultural Farm is striving hard to select such American seed as would suit the climate and give a large percentage of lint and long stapled cotton. During the short time of its existence it has distributed various sorts of American seeds among the farmers and hence the trouble, as many of the American varieties are not suitable to the climate. The farmer also gives the American the same treatment as his deshi sorts. As the fibre of the American cotton is very thin and fine, special care is essential in picking and handling. The method of storing the kajyas is also very defective, and this defect is not only found among the uneducated farmers as I was surprised to see the kafas of the Agricultural Farm stored in large, iron cisterns about 15 to 20 feet high. The stuff was not loosely packed but it was pressed hard, a procedure which is sure to spoil the staple and colour and increase the waste in the blow-room. If a proper method is pursued throughout there is a splendid future for Ameri - can cotton in this district. The soil is rich and, from the farmer's point of view, the soil that gives good wheat can also yield a good cotton crop. It may be that the improve- ment cannot be achieved in a few years, but the picking can be improved now, if more care be taken. To make the American cotton grown in India commerciallv successful it is very essential indeed that particular care should be taken in picking. I send you two samples of cotton, both from the same farm (No. 15 Risala) and from the same seed. The only difference between them is that the former was carefully picked and such a sample can be commer- cially classed as F. G. M. ; the latter, though equal in staple and regularity, can be classed between L. M. and Med." In a further communication Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co. have given me the results of the working of Lyallpur cotton, compared with American, hani and bhuri types. The 94 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH count spun was 24' and in all cases the number of turns per inch was the same. Loss per cent. rj,^^^.^^ ^^ on cotton in 24» warp, blow-room. * American F. G. M. Boweds . . 7-75 67-44 lbs. Panderkora Bani . . . . 'S\ 60"33 „ Lyallpur 10-08 52-20 ,, Bhuri 10-37 46-10 „ The prices at the time of purchase of these respective varieties were very nearly the same in all cases, being about Rs. 130 per boja of 345 lbs. laid down at Nagpur. On this basis, but including the blow-room loss, the purchase prices per lb. work out as follows : — American . . . . . 6*5 annas per lb. Panderkora Bani . . . 6'53 ,, „ „ Lyallpur .... 6"63 „ ,, „ Bhuri ..... 6*65 „ „ „ To conclude with the Punjab, it is necessary to add that Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co. and the Directors of the Bombay Cotton Trade Association have thus remarked on a set of samples submitted to them for opinion by the Economic Botanist : '^ Only two samples out of the 27, Nos. 161 and 179, can be compared with American. They are splendid cottons, especially in the length and strength of their fibres, and every help and encouragement should be given for their cultivation on an extensive scale. If the cultivation of these cottons turn out a commercial success it will finally solve the problem of obtaining long staple cotton from the British territory. We are afraid, however, that the dream is difficult of realization. The exotic has to contend with the soil and climate as well as with the apathy, indiffer- ence, ignorance and prejudice of the Indian cultivator." The valuations of these samples in order of merit, by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co., Bombay, are appended. As the outturn and per- centage figures are unknown to me it is impossible to say in the absence of these data which if any of them are the most INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 95 profitable to grow, and I hope that the Department in the Punjab will be able to furnish the figures necessary for comparison. Valuation by the BoTuhay Chamber of ComTnerce. Basis. Middling American at Rs. 310 per candy of 784' lbs. less 5^ per cent. Fine M. G. Naosari „ 320 Good Tinnevelly Fine M. G. Broach All for ready delivery in Bombay. Valuation by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, dated the 13th May 1912, on the 27 samples of cotton from Lyallpur, Punjab. }} u^u ,, )} )} J5 35 )J 310 „ )} )) }) >) V 2 DO ,, J) )> }) }) Serial No. (according to merit). Variety. Approximate market value per candy of 784 lbs. on May 13th, 1912, less 5J per cent. Remaeks. Rs. 1 161 425—450 (Nominal). Superfine long silky staple. Im- possible to give accurate valuation and sample should be sent to Liver- pool. 2 280F 380 (Nominal). Strict fine, long staple and good colour. 3 271 365 (Nominal). Superfine, good long staple, good colour. 4 274 350 (Nominal). Strict fine, long silky staple, good colour. 5 246 325 Superfine, long silky staple, good colour. 6 272 320 Strict fine, nice staple and colour. 7 273 320 Fine, rather better staple than 272. 8 72F 320 Superfine in class, long silky staple, good colour. 0 111 320 Strict fine, good staple and colour. 10 168 315 Strict fine, good strong staple. 11 112 312 Strict fine, good strong staple and colour. £6 REPORT OF THE AGRICTTLTFRAL RESEARCH Valuation hy the Bovibay Chamher of Commerce, dated the 13th May 1912, on the 27 samijles of cotton from Lyall'pur, Punjab. — contd. Serial No. (according to merit). Variety. Approximate market value per candy of 784 lbs. "on May 13th, 1912, less 5J per cent. Remarks. 12 126 Rs. 310 Superfine class, strong staple, good colour. 13 199 310 Superfine, strong staple but not very long, good colour. 14 7F 305 Strict fine in class, nice staple but not very silky, good colour. 15 110 300 Strict fine, good staple, and good colour. 16 267 300 Superfine, staple a little better than 266. Cotton is more bulky. 17 275 300 Strict fine, moderate staple, good colour but leafy. 18 70F 295 Strict fine in class, irregular and rather rough staple, good colour. 19 276 295 Fine, moderate staple, leafy. 20 220 290 About fine, staple strong but rather rougli and irregular. 21 266 290 Strict fine, only moderate staple, nice colour. 22 233 280 Strict fine, fair staple but rather rough. 23 270 280 Fine fair staple. 24 226 1 275 Superfine, rough and short in staple, more like Raj pu tana cotton. 25 232 270 Fine, rather rough and short in staple, colour not so good as 226. 26 28D 265 Strict fine, poor staple and very wasty. 27 179 • • No sample sent. INSTITrTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 97 Valuation hy Messrs. Tata, So?is ^ Co., Bomhay, dated 10th May 1912, on the 27 samples of cotton from Lyallpur, Punjab. Serial No. (according to merit). 4 5 179 161 271 274 72F 7F 111 8 68 9 246 10 272 11 112 ]2 270 13 273 Remarks. Quite equal to Fully Good Middling American cotton. To-day's (10th July) price will be 8d. per Ib.c. i. f. Bombay or say Rs. 425 per candy. This cotton is far and away the best of its kind grown in Indian soil and acclimatized to the Indian climates. Though not exactly after the American style, it is no way inferior to Good Middling. The length of the fibre is fully 1-J- inch. Good Middhng American of 1^ inch staple cannot be laid down in Bombay under l^d. per lb. or say Rs. 365 per candy. If you add oh per cent, discount allowed in Bombay tlie cost comes to Rs. 385 per candy. We value this cotton, therefore, at Rs. 385 per candy. This cotton is exactly like Naosari in its feel and length of fibre. Value Rs. 340 per candy. Equal to the very best Surat. Value Rs. 325 per candy. This has the characteristic and style of the best Surat and being slightly better than 7F in the length of fibre, we value it Rs. 5 more, viz., Rs. 325 per candy. This cotton is of the Surat style. It has a long even fibre like Surat, and the colour and appearance are strikingly like it. It is lacking, however, in tlie soft silky feel of Surat cotton. We value it in price equal to the best Surat cotton namely, Rs. 320 per candy. This is again tlie best Surat style of cotton equal to 7F. Value Rs. 320 per candy. Best Surat style of cotton. Value Rs. 320 per candy. Sm-at style of cotton. Value Rs. 320 per candy. Surat style of cotton. Value Rs. 320 per candy. It is same as 111, but a shade short in the length of fibre ; therefore, we value it Rs. 5 less, say Rs. 315 per candy. Surat styls of cotton, but slightly shorter in fibre. Value Rs. 310 per candy. Surat style of cotton, but slightly inferior in staple. Value Rs. 310 per candy. U 98 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Valuation by Messrs. Tata, Sons Sf Co., Bombay, dated 10th May 1912, on the 27 samples of cotton from, Lyallyur, Punjab. — contd. Serial No. (according to merit). 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 276 275 267 126 266 199 220 70F 110 226 Remarks. 24 233 25 1 232 26 28D 27 280P Broach style of cotton, but a little longer in fibre even than 275. Value Rs. 305 per candy. Broach style of cotton, but being slightly longer in fibre than Broach, we value it at Rs. 300 per candy. Same as 266 but slightly better in staple. Value Rs. 300 per candy. It is midway between the best Broach and Surat. It approximates more to Broacli and we value it Rg. 10 more than fine Broach, viz., Rs. 295 per candy. Equal to the best Broach cotton. Value Rs. 295 per candy. Best Broach style of cotton. Value Rs. 290 per candy. This cotton has the style of superior cottons of the Central Provinces, say Warora and Hinganghat. Value Rs. 290 per candy. This cotton has the appearance of the best Broach and the fibre is a shade longer than that of Broach. We value it, therefore, at Rs. 290 per candy, say Rs. 5 more than the price of Broach. This cotton resembles the superior grade cottons such as Warora and Hinganghat grown in the Central Provinces. It is slightly dull in colour ; therefore, we value it Rs. 5 lower than Warora, viz., Rs. 285 per candy. This is of the style of inferior cottons of the Central Pro- vinces, such as Wardha and Nagpur. Value Rs. 285 per candy. Wardha or Nagpur style of cotton of the Central Pro- vinces. Value Rs. 285 per candy. Best Berars style of cotton such as Yeotmal. Rs. 280 per candy. Value In colour and style like superior Berars, but the fibre is very short and weak ; therefore, we value it at Rs. 275 per candy. No sample sent. Ihd. c. i. f. Rs. 365 net per candy, 340 per candy. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PFSA, FOR 1911-12. 99 Prices fixed upon the following basis: — Bombay candy weighs American Good Middlinc; . 784 lbs. The price of cotton in Bombay ,, „ „ includes a rebate of Fine Naosari . 5J per cent. For ex- ample if you purchase „ Surafc .... 320 „ „ cotton, say, at Rs. 300 per candy, the seller „ Broach .... 285 „ „ allows you a rebate of 5| per cent, so that the actual price of „ Warora-Hinganghat (Cen- 290 ,, „ cotton is Rs. 283^ per tral Provinces), candy. Therefore, the prices quoted are „ Wardha (Central Provinces) 285 „ „ subject to a rebate of 5| per cent. „ Yeotmal (Berars) , 280 „ „ Good Tinnevelly . . . 320 „ „ United Provinces. — I visited these in October and tour- ed in the company of Dr. A. E. Parr, the Deputy Director of the Northern Division. I made the following notes on my inspection of the cottons on the Agricultural Experimental Station at Aligarh : — (1) Bhuri (G. hirsutum, variety, originally from Chota-Nagpur). This has grown well, but the yield is low and last year it produced practi- cally no crop. I pointed out to Dr. Parr that the species normally consists of a mixture of a productive and non-productive form, the latter predominating in his plots. If selection is continued by using the former type, he will soon possess a strain of high class cotton suit- able for his Division in all respects. (2) Mr. Leake's selection (white flowered cotton or G. roseum) yields well and is a moderately early cotton. (3) Mr. Leake's selection (broad lobed white flowered cotton, var. cutchica) has produced at the rate of 12 maunds of seed cotton per acre and on the score of outturn alone is distinctly promising. H 2 100 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (4) Kil or Garo Hill cotton is more productive than the two last named, but our experience is that it deteriorates rapidly to the standard of local types. (5) Yellow flowered 'Neglecium. This yields a cotton of better staple. All the field experiments are on the white flowered or Varhadi type of cotton. As in other parts of India, owing to its hardiness, high produce and also high percentage of cotton to seed, it is rapidly becoming the favourite variety of the cultivators. Already Dr. Parr has 300 acres under this in seed farms and next year he hopes to increase their area to 3,000 acres. In price of crop it surpasses yellow flowered cotton by Rs. 12 to Rs. 15 per acre. There is little difference in the yield of broad cast and drilled plants. The best spacing distance has been found to be 18 inches between rows and 9 inches in the rows. A yield of 10 maunds of seed cotton per acre has been obtained. White flowered cotton grown with ground-nut yields about half the ordinary unmixed crop. The general practice is to grow cotton with Cajanus indicus. Dr. Parr says that in the Aligarh District about half the cotton crop is irri- gated. Southwards the proportion of irrigated cotton decreases. Mr. Graham, the Manager of West's Patent Press at Aligarh, thinks that, so far as cotton improvement is con- cerned, it would be sufficient to increase the outturn. He also thinks that a better staple should be arrived at. Few traders I have met seem to appreciate the fact that an increased staple in Bengals is invariably accompanied by a falling off in yield and percentage of cotton to seed. After a discussion with Dr. Parr regarding his future line of work we agreed that the following would be most practicable : — • (1) To purify out the white flowered cottons and extend their cultivation as pure types. They have already been tested and proved to be more pro- INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 101 ductive and remunerative than the yellow flowered types. (2) For the present w^e must conclude that American cotton has had a fair trial and has failed. In some cases it yielded badly and in others it could not meet with a suitable market. (3) Dr. Parr will continue his experiments with the form of Bhuri that I have pointed out to him as being most suitable for the purpose. (4) The experiments with yellow flowered neglectums should be persevered with. The staple is supe- rior and it may prove remunerative to produce the cotton as a pure type. I showed Dr. Parr in the field how to readily distinguish the most productive plants of both white and yellow flowered cottons. In company with Dr. Parr I visited Kashipur where a particular class of cotton was said to be grown. We found that the cotton was of exceptionally good quality, approach- ing in appearance and staple, the Bani or Hinganghat. I have advised Dr. Parr to make all his selections in the tract and not risk damaging the reputation of the local produce by bringing in anything from outside. I have since seen it mentioned in the newspapers that the Department is establishing a seed farm here. The Tahsildar of Kashipur, Mr. Thakar Raghunath- singh, gave the following information. The rainfall of this tract averages between 40 and 50 inches. Last year it was 64 and this year 36. Last year the acreage under cotton was about 5,000 and this year 4,500. Wild animals from the reserved forests damage all crops excepting cotton. The average yield of seed cotton is 9 maunds per acre and under the most -favourable conditions it reaches 12 maunds. The price of Kashipur cotton is Rs. 2 per maund higher than that of ordinary Bengals. The ginning factory proprietor at Kashipur is ex- tremely anxious that no rough sort should be introduced to spoil the quality of the local fine variety. 102 REPORT OP THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH I learnt that there are large areas of land suitable for cotton in Kashipur, especially near the reserved forest where the ravages of wild animals render the cultivation of grain crops so uncertain that these parts are relapsing into jungle. The quality of this cotton seems to be so excellent that (as I have already emphasized) all selection should be worked out on the spot and nothing in the way of deshi cottons should be introduced, whether they seem superior or not There is a grand field here ready for growing selected local cottons and I am certain that Dr. Parr will not be slow in developing the possibilities of this tract. That two ginning factories have already been erect- ed on the spot is proof positive of their owner's anticipa- tion that the cultivation of cotton in this favoured tract will ultimately extend largely and rapidly. Personally, I was gratified to discover this tract as I was by then de- spairing of finding anything in the United Provinces better than ordinary Bengals. The cotton grown round Chandausi is famed for its whiteness and staple. It is grown as a dry crop and sold at a higher price than ordinary Bengals. There is only one variety or type of this known and it is decidedly inferior to Kashipur cotton. Messrs. Ralli Brothers' agent here informed me that in a good year Chandausi cotton can be classed as Oomras, but that it is very inferior this year. He also considers that on the whole the United Provinces' cottons are inferior to those of Berar. The poorest qualities come from the westward (Beawar for example) and there is a gradual improvement to the eastward. The United Provinces' cottons consist of the usual mix- ture of the types yielding Bengals, and at Aligarh Farm it can be seen that these types are easily separated. It is to be regretted that the cultivation of American cottons has failed, but the Department should remember that there is an expressed demand for improved indigenous cottons from traders and manufacturers in the Province itself, which it should attempt to satisfy. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 103 The following are the valuations kindly furnished by Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co., Bombay, on the 5 samples grown at the Agricultural Station, Aligarh, last year : — Valuation of the samples from Aligarh Agricultural Station {valued on 18th January 1912). Out of 5 samples, Nos. 1 to 5, sample No. 2 is the best of the lot in point of length of fibre and feel. We value it to- day at Rs. 265 per Bombay candy, or say Rs. 15 more than the price of Fine Bengal (F. Bengal Rs. 245). No. 3 is slightly inferior to the above in length of staple, value Rs. 260. Nos. 1, 4 and 5 are all alike and may be valued at Rs. 255. The above cotton is harsh in feel like wool and resembles Assam cotton. It can be used in mixing with wool as Assam is on the continent, hence it has a special value of its own. This kind of cotton is generally 15 to 20 rupees higher in price than fine Bengal in normal times. We value Assam cotton to-day at Rs. 265 per Bombay candy. Madras. — I have had no opportunity of visiting this Province during the year, but a letter from Mr. Couchman,. Director of Agriculture, to the Board of Revenue, last year, fully explains the situation. From this it appears that in Tinnevelly, the Karunganni variety of cotton and in Nand- yal the white seeded Tellapathi cotton have been proved by field experiments, supported by expert opinion from the mills, to be superior to the mixed field crops of cottons ordinarily grown in the Tinnevelly and Kurnool Districts. To extend the cultivation of these varieties seed farms were opened in Tinnevelly in 1908 to grow Karunganni on a large scale. In Kurnool a beginning was made last year with 35 acres of seed farm for growing pure Tellajmthi seed. The rapid increase of the area under Karunganni showed that the people were keeping the seed themselves. With a view, therefore, to extend the variety to new tracts, 43 seed depots were opened, many of them in new tracts, 104 REPOB.T OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH as the tracts in which some of the depots were opened in previous years had now become pure Karunganni tracts. Very gratifying evidence is now forthcoming to show the value of this crop to the cotton trade of the district. In two cases, new ginning factories have been opened by export firms, in localities where pure Karunganni has been introduced on account of the fine quality of cotton now obtainable there. The large distribution of seed by the Department has made the Tuticorin Circle practically a pure Karunganni tract. Messrs. Volkart Brothers write : — " We have during the last few years noticed that a relatively very good cotton is received from places near Koilpatti, including the rail- way stations of Nalaturputtur, Kumarapuram and Kadam- bar. We have no hesitation in concluding that your ex- periment has been highly satisfactory in its results. The cotton from these places fetches a better price and is better liked by spinners both in Europe and the East than the bulk of Tinnevellies which are marketed further north at Virudupatti, etc." Messrs. Ralli Brothers also state that there has been a marked improvement in the quality of Tinnevelly cotton during the last few years, especially in the Tuticorin Circle. This independent evidence from the large buyers is most encouraging as it shows that an appreciable improvement can be effected in a short time to the whole crop of the tract by the methods worked out by the Department. In the Northern Circle there was a keen demand for the farm seed which gives better crops than the seed available from the usual sources. There is also a large demand for Cambodia seed, but this season there is a disquieting report to the effect that it has deteriorated in staple so that manufacturers cannot spin the usual counts from it. An enquiry into this matter has already been instituted. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. lOo 'Valuation of the 17 sample.s of cotton from Koilpatti {Madras) furnished by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, on the 18th April 1912. Serial Xo. (according to merit). 1 2 3 ~i 5 10 11 12 Dcsciiiitioii. Uppam Variety. Uppam — Ordinaiy field prop Pedigree Uppam . Do. Uppam — Ordinary farm crop Pedigree Uppam Kantnganni Variety. Pedigree Karunganni Do. do. Do. do. Karunganni — Ordinary field crop Do. do. Pedigree Karunganni Karunganni— Ordinary farm crop Do. Ordinary field crop Do. do. Pedigree Karunganni Do. '3i E^ do. .Selected Karunganni Approxi- mate mar- ket value per candy of 784 1b«., less hi per cent", discount. Local value. Rs. 283 280 280 280 275 335 335 330 330 325 325 320 315 310 300 295 280 Approxi- mate mar- ket value per candy of 784 lbs., less 51 per eent. discount. Export value. Rs. 283-1 I 280 j. 280 1 280 K KM AUK''. 275 Export value nomiual / These samples are all disappointing in so mucli as the staple is harsli and rather hkc Jiaiputa- na eottou (Bengals). Staple very and short. harsh iSamo remark as for Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Nice style with long sUky staple. Long silky staple and very goocj spinning cotton. Nice staple, good style. Very good staple. Very good staple. Long staf)le and good style. Good staple. Good staple. Very bright cleall cotton, but staple! not nearly as good as the others ; rather short. \ Nice style, good silky staple. ' Nice style, staple. ' Short (Staple. good The export valuations are rather nominal owing to the large supplies of Americans this year at reasonable rates 106 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH compared with Indian cotton. The demand from Europe is for lower priced cotton with fair staple. Basis. — Fine M. G. Broach Fine M, G. Naosari Fine G. F. Tinnevelly . Fine M. G. Bengal (ilajputana) Fine M. G. Akola Rs. 290 330 310 265 275 Valuation of 8 samples of cotton from Bellary [Madras), furnished by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, on the 31st May 1912. Serial No. (according to merit). Historical Description. Approxi- mate mar- ket value per candy of 784 lbs., less 5J per cent, discount on 29th May 1912. Remarks. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kappas and Lint of No. 3. Grown at Bel- lary Farm tliis year. This is a selection made in 1906-07 from a sample of Broach seed obtained from Surat. Kappas and Lint of No. 41. These are single plant-selections from the local cotton made in 1908-09. Grown at Bellary Farm. Kappas and Lint of No. 21. Grown at Hagari Farm. Tliis is an inter-cross of the local cotton. Kappas and Lint of No. 5. Grown at Bel- lary Farm this year. This is a selection made in 1906-07 from Kumpta-seed. KappasandLintofNo.il. An inter-cross of the local cotton. Grown at Hagari. The selection was made in 1906-07. Kappas and Lint of No. 10. An inter-cross of the local cotton. Grown at Hagari. The selection was made in 1906-07. Kappas and Lint of No. 44. Single plant, selection made in 1908-09 from the local cotton. Grownat Bellary Farm. Kappas and Lint of No. 9. Grown on Bel- lary Farm. This is an inter-cross of the local cotton. The selection was made in 1906-07. Rs. 295 288 285 280 278 275 275 265 Strict fine in class too yellow in colour for Broach de- scription, staple about equal to Broach and quite as silky. Colour of the kap- pas is white but the cotton has a yellow tinge. Better in staple than No. 21. Class as good as No. 11 ; staple a good deal better. Has not got the usual Kump- ta characteristics, class strict fine, fair to good staple. Class rather lower than No. 10, but staple better. Brighter and whiter than No. 9, staple also better but irregu- lar. Class strict fine, but staple not so good as Nos. 11, 21 and 41. Disappointing in staple and decidedly inferior in style to the ordinary Westerns and has not the same bulk, but class much better. Basis. — Tinnevelly . Fine M. G. Broach Good M. G. Kumptas Westerns 3} » Rs. 295 280 285 270 INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 107 Mysore. — In the Mysore State preliminary steps have been taken to establish the cultivation of higher class cotton in non-cotton growing areas and we expect that valauble assistance will be renderd in this direction by the co- operation of the European planters. North-West Frontier Province. — In consultation with Mr. Robertson Brown it has been arranged that he is to grow large plots of his cottons and that I shall visit his farm when the crops are ripe, to arrange, on the spot, the line of future work he should take in hand. He gave the following information in a letter to the Inspector General of Agriculture (now the Agricultural Adviser to the Government of India) : " I have just visited a tract in the Peshawar District which is famous in the North- West Frontier Province as producing heavy crops of high class cotton. I was accompanied by the Revenue Assistant, who fixes revenue, etc., so my information is correct. I found that the banias in purchasing the crops pay for 6 maunds and take their chances of profit on the outturn beyond that weight. Good average cotton fields in the tract yield 16 maunds per acre and 20 maunds is occasionally produced. I have not seen such heavy outturns of cotton recorded as being produced elsewhere in India, and I am writing to you to find if equally good crops are yielded in any other part. The soil is deep red alluvium and the tract irrigated very sparingly and irregularly from the rich, muddy, Bara River." Lalio cotton, in the Bawla Taluka, in the Ahmedabad District, under two or three waterings in light soils, is said to yield as high as 1,600 lbs. kapas per acre, but the high returns quoted by Mr. Robertson Brown, so far as I know, must be unequalled elsewhere in India. The following report on a sample of Mr. Robertson Brown's cotton has been received from Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co. : — '^ In all its characteristics it is Oomra style of cotton. Comparing it with Fine Akola ginned at Rs. 275 we value the sample at Rs. 270 as it 1G8 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTItRAL RESEARCH is slightly shorter in fibre. We quote Sind Punjab cotton to-day at Rs. 270. Though the sample is from the North- West Frontier Pro- vince it cannot be compared with Sind Punjab as the latter is whiter in colour but short in staple and coarse to the feel. The sample ex- amined is of a dull white colour like Akola, the staple is longer than that of Sind Punjab and has better feel." Experiments with Bhuri cotton on the Khetri Estate in Rajfutana. — The seed was given by me for experiment to the Munsarim of this estate who has been courteous enough to furnish a report of his results. I may mention that such thought fulness is rare amongst my numerous corre- spondents. Two and half seers of seed were sown in an acre of land, the plants were spaced 1^ foot apart and the land was watered four times before the rains and twice after the rains. The area consisted of garden land of the first class and the cotton finally collected weighed 2| maunds. Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co. kindly furnished the follow- ing valuation on a sample of the cotton submitted to them : — " Bhuri. — This cotton has vastly improved and is better than the best cotton grown in India, viz., Nao- sari. The fibre is very long and is stronger than that of Naosari cotton. On the basis of Naosari at Rs. 335 we value it at Rs. 350 or fully Rs. 15 more per candy." Arrangements are being made for a more extended trial with hhuri in the same locality during the present season. Rajputana appears to offer strong inducements for the pro- duction of higher class cottons, but it is difficult to get into touch with its people. I have reason to believe, however, that there is a spontaneous introduction of hhuri cotton into the States from Berar. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. U.9 Bombay. — The following are some of the definite con- clusions which have been arrived at in this Presidency : — At Surat it has been decided to make a reduction in the number of varieties so as to simplify the work, and to dis- continue the cultivation of tree cottons as not one has given a useful result. At the Ganeshkhind Botanical Garden it has been proved that Bourbon only lasts for 6 years which is far short of the 20 years of life claimed for it. At Dhulia it has been found that the white-flowered Varhadi excels in yield and ginning percentage. It has produced 1,500 lbs. of seed cotton per acre, of a value of over Rs. 200. Comparing price and outturn it easily out- strips in value all other Khandesh or Berar cottons. Karkeli, although of very high quality, does not yield suffi- ciently well to be remunerative. At Dharwar, Cambodia cotton has not continued to be immune from red leaf blight. Mr. Main has arrived at the following conclusions regarding it : — (1) Cambodia cotton can be grown most profitably in the early part of July in spite of the liability of early sown cottons to red leaf blight. (2) The early sown crop begins to flower about the middle of November, but these flowers drop off and bolls do not set till December-January. Bhuri again did badly. It suffered from the red leaf blight believed to be the disease known as the Mosaic in the United States of America. It appears to be less suitable than Cambodia for the conditions obtaining at Dharwar. At the Gadag Farm, Cambodia Cotton has been proved to be the most suitable substitute for Dharwar American cotton in the eastern part of the Dharwar District, as it surpasses it in yield and ginning percentage. The trials with numerous American cottons show that they all require considerable acclimatization. Mr. Main also finds that the green fuzz of the seeds of certain Dhar- war American plants is not a fixed character as a number of white fuzz seeded plants are produced from green fuzzed 110 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH seed. On the other hand, white fuzzed seed appears to be a fixed character and such seed breeds true. These facts lead him to suppose that the colour of the fuzz may be a character which conforms to Mendelian laws. Experi- ments are still being persevered with towards the introduc- tion of cotton into areas of land, lying waste partly owing to the damage liable to be caused by wild pigs. It is ob- served that cotton is not touched by these animals. It is gratifying that the demand for Naosari and Cambodia cotton seeds is steadily increasing in the Karna- tic. During the year under report both these cottons main- tained higher ginning percentages and at the auction sale realized as in previous years more encouraging prices than the local Kumpta and Dharwar American as shown in the statement below :— Variety. Ginning percentage. Value per naga of 1,344 lbs. Broach (from Naosari seed) • 33 Between Es. 170 and Rs. according to grades. 203 Kumpta • 27 Rs. 140. Cambodia . • 37 Between Rs. 188 and Rs. according to grades. 206 Dharwar American • 30 Between Rs. 140 and Hs. 115. At Mirpurkhas in Sind, the highest yield of Sindhi cotton was 1,304 lbs. per acre, the second best was at the rate of 960 lbs. per acre. This is compared with 1.683 lbs. seed cotton obtained in the previous year and with 1.2R0 lbs. in 1907. The best results have always been obtained from April sowings of cotton. Some valuations by Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co. of cottons grown on the Agricultural College Farm, Poona, are inter- esting as they demonstrate two points : first, the influence of an unsuitable environment on cottons which require a better INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. Ill soil and climate, and second, the ease with which the differ- ent types of " Bengals " can be separated. No. 1. Broach. — From seed imported from Naosari in 1911. " This cotton grown from Naosari seed on Kirkee Farm is not exactly like Naosari cotton. It is decidedly superior to Broach and is equal to Surat cotton. Value Rs. 310 (Nao- sari at Rs. 330 per candy)." No. 2. Varhadi. — Seed obtained from Akola in 1911. " This cotton is equal to short stapled Oomra. Value Rs. 255." No. 3. Bhuri. — Seed obtained from Akola in 1911. " This cotton is superior to No. 1, and we class it as best Naosari. Value Rs. 330." No. 4. Cambodia. — Seed obtained from Gadag in 1911. " This cotton is equal to best Surat. Value Rs. 320." In Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the seed was obtained from Akola five years ago and was sown just as it was. The types were separated out on the farm from this mixture and grown separately in succeeding years. No. 5. — (Yellow flowered, broad lobed neglectum, from Dhulia mixture.) — " Dhulia seed gives improved cotton in Kirkee soil. It has produced cotton equal to Ghat Akola, good staple. Value Rs. 285." No. 6. — (Yellow flowered, narrow lobed, from the same mixture.) — " Slightly inferior to No. 5. Value Rs. 280." No. 7. — (White flowered, broad lobed, from the same mixture.) — " This cotton equals the lowest grade Khandesh and is very poor in staple. Value Rs. 245." No. 8. — (White flowered, narrow lobed, from the same mixture.)—" This cotton equals ordinary Khandesh, and is very poor in staple. Value Rs. 255." 112 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Basis of valuation on 10th July 1912 : — Rs. Naosari . 330 per candy Surat . 310 „ Broach . 290 Akola . 275 „ Khandesh . . 265 Judging from the valuations received from Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co., the Kumpta cotton from the Sangli State in the Southern Mahratta Country fetches a higher price than that of the same country to the southward. There are presumably highly favourable conditions of soil and climate in this State and the Department of Agriculture, Bombay, may see its way to investigate the possibilities of this tract as a seed distributing centre of Kumpta cotton. The suspicions of Messrs. Tata, Sons, that the labelling of the bags was transposed, is not confirmed. The Agricultural Superintendent of the State had grown Broach from seed imported from Naosari and the Kumpta was from an inter se cross. The following are Messrs. Tata's valuations and remarks (on 11th March 1912) : — " Sam fie No. 1. — Broach cotton grown at Sangli from the seeds imported from Naosari. The cotton shows much improvement, both in colour and staple. Though a slight tinge of red can be detected, the colour is more than fine. On the basis of Rs. 330 for Naosari cotton, we value this at Rs. 340 per candy. " Sample No. 2. — Local (Kumpta) cotton crossed inter se. This is really a beautiful cotton, soft and silky in feel with a strong and even fibre, equal to, if not better than, Naosari cotton in length. It is more like indigenous Naosari cotton than like Kumpta. In fact we were in dovibt whe- ther a mistake had not been made in bagging the samples. It is really better than No. 1 in all respects and we value it at Rs. 20 over No. 1, viz., Rs. 360 per candy. INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1911-12. 11^ " The Sangli soil appears to be eminently suited to the growth of Kumpta cotton, crossed inter se, and it is worth experimenting with on a large scale." The Native States of Palitana and Rajkot in Kathia- war have been supplied with cotton seeds of varieties at their request and the results will be watched with interest. Valuations. — All samples received w^ere submitted to Messrs. Tata, Sons & Co., Bombay, for valuation; and cor- dial acknowledgment is due to them for their kindness and promptitude in giving opinions on cottons whenever sub- mitted to them. A few samples were also submitted to the Bombay Chamber of Commerce to whom thanks are also due. Programme of work for 1912-13. It is proposed to tour in the North-West Frontier Pro- vince in the autumn to advise on the possibilities of improvo- ment of cultivation and introduction of suitable superior varieties. Tours will also be made in the Bombay Presi- dency and the Central Provinces and to other parts also, if my services are called for to continue the investigation into the conditions which affect the production of cotton. This enquiry is also carried on wherever touring is done. In addition I shall continue my special researches in the botany and cultivation of cotton. CALCUTTA : PRINTED BY SFPDT. GOVT. PRINTING, INDIA, 8, HASTINOS STREET. J .