MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 



The main direction in which such extension is possible 

 is in the tank districts of the Northern, North Central 

 and Eastern Provinces, where large areas which in 

 Cingalese times were under cultivation await the return 

 of the paddy farmer. With the repair and reconstruc- 

 tion of tanks, the conditions for a revival of agri- 

 culture in these parts are steadily improving; while the 

 enterprise of the Mohammedan population, the likely 

 ingress of the South Tamil cultivator as a result of 

 direct railway communication with India, and the awaken- 

 ing national pride of the Cingalese people are factors 

 which may be relied on to assist in the development 

 of native agriculture, urged by the exigencies of a 

 growing population and the competition which is bound 

 to result therefrom. 



Quite recently a new factor has arisen in the alleged 

 " losses " on estates worked with Tamil labour, by the 

 rise in the price of imported rice ; and European capitalists 

 are seriously considering" the question of embarking 

 upon paddy cultivation on an extensive scale in order 

 to meet the difficulty. The enterprise is a fascinating 

 one, but whether it will prove a commercial success it 

 is impossible to prophesy as there are so many details 

 that have to be reckoned with which can only be fully 

 understood when met with in practice. 



The yield of paddy except in certain limited areas is 

 much below what it should be, not so much owing to 

 want of effort to improve it but owing to the conserva- 

 tive character of the cultivator in clinging to time-worn 

 practices. 



It is encouraging, however, to note that the paddy 

 cultivator is coming to recognize the necessity for 

 changing his methods this result being brought about 

 chiefly through the work of the Ceylon Agricultural 

 Society during the past ten years. Through its staff of 

 agricultural instructors who act the part of missioners 

 among the agricultural masses, the Society has been 

 successful in exercising an appreciable influence on the 

 cultivator. These instructors, who are in close touch 

 with the village population and understand their needs, 

 have come to win their confidence, and in this way 



