Abstract

A retrospect of the work done in the field of agricultural research in this State for nearly six decades is bound to present us with a store-house rich with experiences of successes and failures, hopes and frustrations. The monumental "Memoirs of the Madras Agricultural Department" published recently, as well as the "Basic Records of Experimental Work" also compiled recently in each research centre in this State, constitute not merely valuable records of the past achievements, but also a medium to detect many a void or imperfection in our agricultural knowledge and practices. At a time when nationwide attention is being focussed on the out- lines of the Second Five-Year Plan, the availability of these factual accounts of the track covered and of the sign-posts for the future is of invaluable benefit to keep us off from paths that may end in a blind alley.

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