August, 1912.] 



185 



Satisfactory reports have been received regarding the mango grafts, many 

 of which have already come into fruit. Orauges are rather slower in coming to 

 bearing, but the following report received from a landowner in Chilaw is 

 an indication of what may be expected from oranges grown in suitable 

 situations : — " 1 have had wonderful success with your oranges on my Chilaw 

 property. The trees are scarcely ever without fruit ; at present they have between 

 500 and 1,000 on each tree, and I wish you could see them. I have not applied any 

 sort of manure to my trees." 



Branch Societies. 



Pew of these societies can be said to be alive to their own interests. Among 

 those in active operation are the Dumbara, Kegalla, Wellaboda pattu (Galle), Ham- 

 bantota, and Rayigam korale branches. 



The Dumbara society has served as a model of what a branch society should 

 be, and its success in improving the agricultural status of the people of Upper and 

 Lower Dumbara, and infusing into them a practical interest in rural economy, is 

 mainly due to the disinterested efforts of Mr. William Dunuwille, Dissava ; Mr. R. E. 

 Paranagama, Ratemahatmaya ; and Mr. C. Rasauayagam, Mudaliyar. The reorgan- 

 ization ot the majority of branch societies is much to be desired, and is a matter 

 that calls for early attention. 



Agricultural Shows. 

 In the Kalutara District the annual village shows for the Totamunas and the 

 Rayigam and Pasdun korales were held at Kalutara, Bandaragama, and Bellana, 

 and showed a decided advance on previous efforts. These village shows have 

 now been held for three years consecutively, and their influence for good has been 

 considerable. 



Other shows in contemplation were postponed in view of the All-Ceylon 

 Exhibition to be held during the first week in July, 1912. The idea of holding an 

 exhibition representative of the whole Island originated with the Secretary, who 

 for some time found it dfficult to induce a member of the Board to make it the 

 subject of a resolution, till Mr. John Ferguson, on his return to the Island after 

 an absence in England, undertook to father the idea, and successfully pleaded 

 for such an undertaking at a meeting of the Board held in April, 1911. The 

 Secietary of the Society was appointed Secretaiy of the Exhibition Committee, 

 but was compelled to retire from the latter office on medical advice. 



By the time this report is in print the Exhibition will be un fait accompli, 

 and, judging from the elaborate arrangements being made by the able Secret- 

 aries to whose hands it has been entrusted, should prove thoroughly represent- 

 ative of the agricultural and industrial resources of the Colony. 



Paddy (Rice). 



The senior instructors have acquired considerable experience with regard 

 to the conditions and requirements of the paddy cultivator in the various districts 

 of the Island, and I should here wish to mention the special work done by Messrs. 

 Chelliah and Wickremaratne in connection with demonstrations in the working 

 of implements, proper methods of tillage, transplanting and other cultural details. 



As regards the manuring of fields, it would appear that the most econ- 

 omical and efficient means is the use of green manure crops, such as cow pea (Vigna 

 caliang), sunn-hemp (Crotalaria juncea), and wild indigo (Tephrosia purpurea). 

 The adoption of such a system of conserving the fertility of the soil is full of 

 promise to an industry which in most parts of the Island is in a sad state of 

 depression. 



