USEFUL REFERENCES 649 



girth being taken at 21 or 22 indies. The height of standing trees may be 

 judged by using a 20-foot rod. and the girth by taking a girth-strap 12 feet in 

 length and about f inch wide, on which every fourth inch is numbered from 

 one to thirty-six. Thus a tree having a circumference of 120 inches would read 

 30 inches on the strap. 



Weight or measurement of Straw or Hay Stacks. To measure an 

 oblong stack, multiply the length in feet by the width below the eaves, and the 

 product by the height from the ground to the eaves. For the top, multiply the 

 length in feet by the width at the eaves, and the product by half the length to 

 the ridge. A cubic foot of hay weighs approximately from 7 Ib. to 9 Ib. For 

 general purposes the weight of a stack may be ascertained by actually measur- 

 ing the cubic contents of the truss, and calculating from this the weight of a 

 cubic foot. Stacks of straw are estimated at from 18 to 20 cubic yards to a ton. 



To estimate Grain crops per acre. Frame together four light 

 sticks, measuring exactly a foot square inside, and with this in one hand walk 

 into the field and select a spot of fair average yield ; lower the square frame 

 over as many heads as it will enclose, shell out carefully the heads thus 

 enclosed, and weigh the grain. To make the result more reliable, make ten or 

 twenty similar calculations, and estimate by the mean of the whole number of 

 results. 



Approximate cost per acre of bringing crops to maturity in 

 Ceylon. Coconuts, 25 up to 6th year ; Tea, 30 to 35 up to 4th 

 year ; Cocoa, 25 to 30 up to 5th year ; Rubber. 30 up to 6th year- 

 These figures include the necessary factory or store, but not the cost of land. 

 From 5 to 10 more per acre may be allowed, under average conditions, for 

 the Straits Settlements and F.M.S. 



Road-making and Concreting. A cube of broken metal is 18 feet 

 long at base, 5 feet broad, 2 feet high in centre and 14 feet long along top 

 ridge. It contains 60 bushels of metal which, when spread, is sufficient for 

 metalling about 500 sq. feet of road surface. Usual cost at quarry, about 

 Rs. 8. Concrete metal is 50% finer (= road metal broken in half); cost 

 per cube at quarry. Rs. 12 50. The usual charge for concreting, 4 inches thick, 

 varies from 25 cts. per sq. foot according to locality. 



Average day's work per cooly : 



Holing 18 in. x 12 in. (as for Tea) ... 100 to 120 

 Planting (Tea) ... 200 to 250 



Drains 18 in. x 15 in. ... ... 50 to 60 ft. 



Pruning { Tea ) ... 180 to 300 trees 



Tea-box woods. The following Ceylon woods are among the most 

 suitable for making tea-chests. Katu-imbul ( Bonibn.v nuiliibiin'cum); Mango 

 < Miiugifcni indica): Hal (Vatcria ticiintinntn): Katuboda (Cnllcnia cxcclsa); 

 Kekuna (Canariitm zcylanicntn); Ruk-attana (Alstonnt scholaris); Malaboda or 

 Wild-nutmeg (MyristUM lanrifolia), Telambu (Stercttlia foctida). 



Moss on Lawns. The best way to get rid of moss on lawns is first to 

 afford efficient drainage, and afterwards enrich the soil. The moss should be 

 eradicated by scarifying the surface with an iron-toothed rake in order to detach 

 it. afterwards raking it off. When this has been done, top-dress the lawn with 

 a rich compost of good soil, decayed manure and wood ashes. Use two parts 

 of soil and one part each of the other ingredients, passing them through a fine 



