The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-07-23


splendid work in foreign lands, bu
about the agricultural missionary very
little is known.
In the early days of missionary eff
fort in India, the emphasis was upon
the city, says H. l. Criswold 1t was
the fashion then to erect churches in
city. bazars, and the whole outlook
was that of the city. Such industries
as were taught were city industries
The education impaired was adapted
to city conditions. The mission COM
pound was not only the home of the
missionary, but often of his flock as
well.
The coming of the mass movement"
has changed all this. The center of
gravity of the Christian population has
sifted from the city to the country.
For example, Kasur Tahsil has three
or four thousand Christians, while
kasur city itself has only a handful.
The great educational type now is to
make the type of education given to
the majority of Christians suitable for
village conditions. City industries
are relatively falling into the back
ground, and agriculture, the great viii
LACE industry, is rapidly coming to the
front.
AS an Illustration of the new en-
phasis on agriculture it may be point
ed out that there are in the three
American Presbyterian missions in
India, either in operation or in con-
temptation, not less than ten agricul-
tural undertakings such as college
agricultural settlements, and model
and experimental farms.
Sam HigginbOttOm's Work.
Sam Higginbottom is the enthusiasts
tic head of the agricultural depart
ment of the Ewing Christian college,
ALA habad. The late DR.. A. H. Ewing
held strongly to the university idea,
and SO in the college which he found
ed on the banks of the Jumna there
exists alongside of the arts depart
ment, departments for science, (phy-
sizes, chemistry and biology, engi-
neering both electrical and mechani-
cal and agricultural, besides work.
shops for mechanical practice, draw
ing, etc.
Just across the Jumna from the
stately buildings of the Ewing Chris
tian college are the two institutions
connected with the name of Mr.. Hig-
ginbottom-the leper asylum and the
agricultural department of the college.
Government Helps.
The farm consists of 200 acres, to
which 65 additional acres will soon be
added. The land lies on the south
bank of the sacred river, Jumna, SO
that there is no lack of water for ir-
rigation purposes. Government has
lately made a gift of an irrigation
plant worth $11,500, and this is new
being set up. Hereafter, so far as
water is concerned, every year in pro-
ductiveness will be alike.
For the purpose of easy inspection |
by visitors and of a good market close |
at hand, the farm could not be better
situated
Well-StOcked Farm.
The farm is well stocked with up
to-date tools and machinery, worth |
altogether from seven to ten thous-
and rupees. These are the gifts of |
well-known American firms. Improy-
ed farming in India means the use of
improved tools and improved methods
of cultivation.
The farm is also well stocked With |
dairy cattle and draught cattle. Mr..
Higginbottom is the professor of ami
NAL husbandry and dairying, and Mr..
Bembower of Horticulture and field
crops. Instruction in agricultural
chemistry and elementary biology is
given in the laboratories of the Ewing
Christian college. One of the most
interesting and valuable experiments
conducted by Mr.. Higginbottom has
to do with silo and silage. Mr., Hig-
ginbottom has issued bulletin on
this subject.
Sam Higginbottom, agricultural
missionary, is an M. A. of Princeton
university, and a B. Sc. in agriculture
of Ohio State university. He thor
oughly believes in his job. He Sc
cured in the beginning the funds and
the gifts which made the founding OF
the agricultural department possible.
He Is now in America on forlough and /
his numerous friends viii doubtless
be given a further opportunity to
show their interest in his work.
The agricultural department of the
Ewing Christian college is intenl led
primarily for Christians. OF the nine
teen students in attendance all but
two or three are Christians. 1t is
significant that not more than fifty
Christians were refused admittance at
the last enrolment on account of ho-
tel accommodation and lack of scho.
The outcome of the years
will doubtless show that the agricul-
turaI denartment of the Ewing Chris