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Agricultural Advancement
One of the strange incident happened, two citizens had
arrived at “Huzur Bunglow” to meet Thakore Sahib. The servant on
duty was requested to go in his bedroom and awaken him. Servant were
in dilemma, He knew that His Highness had a busy day and was tired
and was not able to attend any visitor. He knew, would not have come
at that unseemly hour and insisted upon disturbing their Ruler
unless their business was urgent. When the Thakore Sahib came down
and received his visitors with his courtesy. He came to know that
few Oranges and Lemon were need for the man lying very ill in the
city. Diligent search had been made in the bazaar, but none were to
be had. One old citizen of Gondal suggested to them “Go to Bapu he
is sure to have some in his Bunglow and if he has he will gladly
give them to you”. The lateness of the hour raised qualms in their
encouraged them by saying that His Highness might still be at work
and even if he had retired he would not mind getting out of bed. The
ruler put the visitor at ease and sent them back to town to with
fruit they needed. Such an incident would not be likely to occur in
Gondal, for during the intervening years. The farmers have been
persuaded to devote portion of their holding to horticulture.
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Above
two years later he had eight acres of land in Kailas Baug devoted
for making agricultural and horticultural experiment. The drought in
1899-1900 nearly destroyed the garden. But as soon as the vary lake
was completed a pipeline was laid to convey the water to the farm. A
similar garden was established at Dhoraji and another at Upleta.
Same of the experiment were proved to be successful.  Successful
tests have ever laid to the introduction of many fruit trees,
including Lemon, Lime, Oranges, Bananas, Papayas, Coconut and date
palms. The planting of Mango and Tamarind trees has been increased.
Experiments have also lead to the introduction of number of
vegetables such as American sweet potatoes, Maize, and Tomatoes.
Fennel, Cummins, Ginger, Sunflower, and other plants yielding
condiments have been tried with varying success. Experiments with
cotton have laid to the introduction of improved strains. New
verities of sugarcanes, with large sugar content have been
introduced to encourage farmers, to extend sugarcane cultivation.
The Groundnut has also proved on test, to be a valuable crop.
Attention has also been paid to improving the cereals growth in the
State. At first seeds of the finest varieties were purchased and
given guaranties to saw them save all the first year’s crop to
serve as seed for the following year. Fertilizers of the varies
kinds were used with a view to determine the varieties that would
best suit Gondal requirement. Trials were made with ensilage. The
cattle took very kindly to the fodder thus preserved. |
For
several years during the monsoon to graduates in the agriculture
employee by the State delivered lectures twice a week to the Gondal
Library. His Highness assured his “dear riots” that ever since
he has assumed charged of the State it has been his constant care to
ameliorate their condition, for he verily believed that in the
cultivator’s prosperity lay the prosperity of the State. “In the
Agricultural countries like ours” his aid, “the condition of the
husband man is a fix index to the condition of whole Nation.”
Though their labor the soil yielded cereals, which the Mahabharats
calls the best wealth. He pledged his word that he would always
endeavor to make them happy and prosperous.
Many
stories are currently in Gondal to illustrate the prosperity of the
cultivators. It is related, for instance, that once when the Ruler
was driving in the outstrips of a village he came upon a group of
youth out for a picture and asked them what they were doing. One of
them merrily replied that in the olden days farmer boys went about
with their pockets filled with berries, were as now they had their
pockets full of money.
In
addition to helping to improve economic conditions cooperative
efforts are furthering social reform. The marriage age is rising and
grates care is being or groom, as the case may be Matches between
young girls and old men and bargaining for married settlements are
falling into disfavor.
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