Abstract

                                It is very kind of the Secretary of the Union to have invited me for the College Day and Conference and to take part in the symposium on irrigation this morning. I regret to have to deny myself the pleasure of attending the functions, but I am glad of the opportunity to associate myself once again-though from a long distance - with this function and to give a paper for the symposium. I have been asked to contribute a paper on any aspect of irrigation. In recent years, I have had occasions to participate, as Agricultural Chemist to the Government of Madras, in discussions on soils and irrigation in connection with the new irrigation projects in the Pre- sidency and to lay down a scheme of soil survey and irrigation research. The discussions on the importance of drainage in an irriga- tion system as a preventive and curative measure against soil deteriora- tion being still fresh in my mind, I have chosen the drainage aspect of irrigation for my theme.

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