Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13
Mr.. PH|PPS-- SCHOOL
Model Agricultural College
in India Proposed.
A NEEDED INSTITUTION
PLAN ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL
OF STATE.
Proposition Has Long Been Contem-
plated by the Government-Selec-
ton Of Director.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

American plan, we'll equipped for practical
as well as scientific work, will be ready for
students.
No country has needed such an institu-
ton more than India. where 20 per cent
of the population are engaged in agricul'
tural pursuits and most of them with prim'
tive implements and methods. But the
conservatism and the iiliteracy, the preju-
dices and the ignorance of the natives
make it exceedingly difficult to introduce
innovations, and It Is the conviction OF
those best qualified to speak that the only
way of improving the condition of the
| farmer classes Is to begin at the top and
work down by the force Of example. Dur
ing recent visit to India this became ap-
parent to Mr.. Phipps, who Is eninentiy
practical man and has been In the habit
of dealing with Industrial questions all of
his life He was brought up in the Carne-
gle iron mills, became superintendent,
| manager and a partner. and when the COM
pany went into the great trust retired from
active participation in its management with
an immense fortune. He has built beau
tiful house in New York, has leased an es
tate in Scotland, whence his ancestors
came, and has been spending a vacation,
earned by 40 years of hard labor in traV
cling about the world.
His recent visit to India brought him
into a friendly acquaintance with Lord
CurZon, In whom he found coDgenial
spirit, and doubtless the viceroy received
from the practical common sense of Mr..
Phipps many suggestions that will be val
liable to him In the administration Of the
government and in the solution of the fire.
quent problems that perplex him. Mr..
PhlppS, on the other hand, has his SYM
pathy and interest excited in the Industrial
conditions of India and particularly In the
famine which recurs at intervals of a few
years He therefore placed at the disposal
of Lord Curzon 500. 600 to which he has
since added $4,000. to be devoted to what
ever object of public utility In the discre-
ton of scientific research the viceroy might
consider most useful and expedient In ac-
cepting this generous offer it appeared to
his excellency that no more practical or
useful object could be found to which to
devote the gift nor one more entirely in
harmony with the wishes of the donor
than the establishment of a laboratory for
agricultural research, and Mr.. PhippS has
since expressed his warm approval of the
decision.
Proposed Agricultural School.
The council of state, consisting Of Lord
Curzon, Gen. Lord Kitchener and five other
gentlemen of long experience, took the sub
ject in hand and have arranged for the or
ganiZatfon Of agricultural institution al
Pusa, which will include:
1. A central research station
2. high-grade agricultural college.
8. An experimental farm, and
4. A cattle-breeding farm.
and whatever funds are necessary to carry
out the project, in addition to the donation
of Mr.. Phipps, will be furnished from the
imperial treasury.
Possibly l may be mistaken but I am
quite sure that Mr.. Phipps, who is not in
the habit of letting his left hand know
what his right hand doeth, has not adver-
tised this little affair to the world. Very
little has been said about the matter in In
dia. Lord Curzon was, of course, obliged
to report the matter to the government at
London and has taken the council of state
and the officials of the department of agri-
md into
fact and the purpose of the institution are
thus far known to few persons and the
circumstance that modest American gen
tleman Is it's founder will probably NOT he
of1cially proclaimed until it is opened for
business and ready for students
There are several agricultural schools and
experimental farms in India, but they are
conducted upon limited scope by inexperi-
enced men and have not accomplished as
much as might be desired. All of them are
under the care of different provincial gov
ernments. The central government, how
ever has long been contemplating the es-
tablishment of q firSt-claSs high-grade in
stitutfon, at which competent teachers
might be trained for the provincial schools
and scientists for the different branches of
the department of agriculture.
Carries Out Government Plan.
Mr.. Phipps, by taking the initiative, has
made this possible; the laboratories will
bear his name and be provided by the
means he has furnished. The college for
the training of students and the stock farm
for the Improvement Of the breeds of cattle
and horses will be provided by approprfa-
tons from the public treasury and the COM
bined institutions Will be placed under the
general supervision and control of the in
spector general of agriculture.
Great difficulty has been experienced in
finding suitable person for director, sever
al important requirements having to be
taken into consideration Certain conditions
OF climate, SOIL labor and other features of
farm life in India are so unique and SO diff
ferent from those in other countries that it
is deemed essential to place at the head of
the now institution a man who has had the
benefit Of actual experience here, and at
the same time posse sses adequate executive
ability and scientific knowledge
After a diigent search these qualifications
have been found in a Mr.. Coventry, plant
er of experience who came to India in 1880
as manager of the large Dalsingh Sarai es-
tatcs in southern Bengal9He is still young
man. only forty-three, but has had twenty
years experience in scientific agriculture
and during the last five years has been
carrying on a series of important expert
ments on his own estate at his private ex
pense, with the aid OF subsidy contributed
by the Bengal government. All who are ac-
auained with himt speak in the highest
terms of his moral. personal and practical
qualifications, and he has consented to ac-
ecpt the peaitfon linder certain conditions,
But the government makes conditions
also, and the negotiations for the en-
ployment of Mr.. Coventry illustrate in a
striking way the admirable morals and
methods which the English have intro
duced into the administration of affairs
in India. While 1t may be considered an
invasion of the private business of
worthy gentleman. the story is worth the
risk. 1t Is required that Ii he enters upon
this position Mr.. Coventry shall devote to
1t the remainder of his life. or shall re-
main as director until he reaches the age
of fifty-five. when the age members of
the India civil service are allowed to re-
tire upon pensions. And. because serv-
ice of twelve years win not entitle him to
pension adequate for q man of his abil-
ity and experience. the government has
decided to add ten years to his service
and give him the pension he would be en-
titled to If he served twenty-three years
instead Of twelve.
A similar concession will also be made
in regard to leaves of absence. Under the
ordinary rules Mr.. Coventry would not be
allowed furlough until the completion
of eight years in the public service. when
he would be entitled to a year with full
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