Volume JO Number 9 



The Plant World 



a /ilbaga3ine ot ©cneral JSotan^ 

 SEPTEMBER, J907 



VISITS TO SOME BOTA^^IC GAEDEXS ABEOAD. 



By Dh. Peur Olsson-Seffer. 



(Coitcli(sioii.) 

 XL Ceylox Experiment Statiox. 



Across the ]\Iahaweli Ganga from Peradeniya an experi- 

 mental garden was established in May, 1902, for the purpose 

 of cultivating on something approaching a commercial scale 

 certain economic plants which are or promise to become of valne 

 to the agricultural industry of the island. The grounds com- 

 pare very favorably witli tliose of Peradeniya gardens, and the 

 climatic and soil conditions are nearly identical in both places. 



Extensive experiments with green manures have been con- 

 ducted during tlie last few years in connection with cacao, cocoa- 

 nuts, tea, rubber and rice. These experiments have proved to 

 be of considerable interest. Among the leguminous plants most 

 commonly used for manurial purposes are several species of dro- 

 talaria. especially striata, lucaua and lahiirnifolla. Alhizzia vio- 

 Inccana. Eri/tJn-iiia JitJinspcmia or Dadap, Caja)nis indinis, 

 TifJioiiia (In-rrsl folia and various species of Vigiia. in tropical 

 agriculture it has been fouml advisable to use in certain cases the 

 arlxtroscent forms in preference to smaller herbaceous plants as 

 green manure, because the former also provide shade and assist 

 in keeping down the weeds. Their large roots also make the soil 

 more porous. 



Special attention has been paid to cacao cultivation, and the 

 adaptability of nuuierous different shade trees in cacao culture 

 have been tested. A large part of the experiment grounds are 

 taken up by cocoanuts and the experiments in cultural methods 

 carried on are being followed with great interest by the com- 



