Indian Journal of Economics. October 1928

115FINDLAY SHIRRAS I The terms of reference were to examine and report an the present conditions of agriculture and rural economy in British India and to make recommendations for the improvement of agriculture and the promotion of the welfare and prosperity of the rural population; in particular to investigate:— (a) the measures now being taken for the promotion of agricultural and veterinary rese [...] The Commission believes there are advantages in meeting the popular demand for the teaching of English in vernacular middle schools and the addtion to the curriculum of high schools in rural areas of a course in agriculture on the lines of that given in vernacular middle schools of the Punjab type but of a more advanced character would be productive of good results. [...] The writer remembers a study of the statistical machinery in the Department of Agriculture in Washington where the statistical department is perhaps one of the largest and best in the world. [...] The solution of the great problem is the realization by the peasant of the possibilities of improvement by official action aided by the sympathy of educated opinion. [...] Of course the introduction of the one need not stand in the way of the introduction of the other—but it is only a question of relative emphasis.