7 AUGUST 1909, Page 26

Agriculture in the Tropics. By J. C. Willis, Sc.D. (Cambridge

University Press. 7s. 6d. net.)—There are many things which can be grown only in the tropics, and these things can be grown more effectively and profitably by European than by native methods. The latter statement is illustrated by some remarkable figures given by Dr. Willis. In Ceylon threo times as much produce is exported from the land cultivated by Europeans compared with that exported by native farmers, though the area is only as one to five. The wealth of the world would be vastly increased by the extension of European methods. India is now becoming one of our chief sources of wheat-supply. An additional bushel per acre would make a great difference in the markets. Dr. Willis goes into the questions of labour and of cultivation very thoroughly. Of course the chief difficulty remains : can the European employer be trusted to deal fairly with native labour? The cocoa plantations and the Congo Free State snake one hesitate.