547 



Shareholders and Directors should realise that by the provision 

 of comfortable and pleasant houses and sufficient pay to" do themselves 

 well" they are more likely to get a good return for their money. The 

 amount of time and money lost through Superintendents and Assistants 

 being either too ill to work or feeling listless and unable to throw them- 

 selves with energy into their not too easy task, is much greater than 

 would be supposed. 



My experience in visiting the planter on his estate is that the man 

 whose bungalow is well looked after and who keeps a good table is less 

 likely to be on the sick list than the man who from a desire to keep 

 down expenses and not to waste time in opening up the estate, lives in a 

 hastily made house and leaves the running of it entirely to his servants. 



The relation between malaria and agriculture is an interesting 

 question. No country can ever be completely successful in agriculture, 

 however favourable its climate and soil, if the conditions are not suitable 

 for healthy life of mankind. The amount of malaria existing in any 

 district considerably affects the rapidity and cost of opening the rubber 

 land. In a place where malaria is rife a small percentage only of the 

 coolies are vigorous and able to do a full day's work, the European Sup- 

 erintendent is not able to supervise so carefully if he also is subject to 

 attacks of fever. 



To take all measures which will reduce the danger of malaria 

 infection is therefore as important an operation in opening up a rubber 

 estate as the planting or other strictly agricultural operations. 



Annual Agri-Hoiiticultural Show. 



A most successful Agri-Horticultural Show took place at Kuala 

 Kangsar, organised by an energetic Committee, and having the advan- 

 tage of patronage and help from H. H. the Sultan of Perak and the 

 British Eesident of Perak. The Show was very representative of the 

 best produce of agriculture in Malaya, as well as native arts and craft. 

 It had an additional interest in being a more typical Malayan Show 

 than those held in towns of cosmopolitan character, and its success 

 was to a great extent due to the efforts of Malayan gentlemen, especi- 

 ally the Dato Sri Adika Eaja,i.S.O., and the Dato Stia Kaja. 



H. E. the High Commissioner, who was in residence at Kuala 

 Kangsar,peformed the opening ceremony, which was attended by their 

 Highnesses the Sultans of Perak, Johore and Selangor. An interesting 

 exhibition from Brunei of the characteristic metal work of that country 

 was brought over by native chiefs escorted by Mr. Roberts of the 

 Public Works Department. 



These Shows, especially when attended, as the Kuala Kangsar Show 

 was, by large numbers of natives engaged in agricultural pursuits 

 spread the desire to improve different cultivations. At the same time 

 they are of value to those engagaed in helping the natives by allowing 

 them to see in what direction help may be best given. 



Seeds of prize fruits are obtained from the exhibitions and form 

 a basis upon which the work of improvement of fruits by selection and 

 other methods is carried on by the department. 



