136 



[August, 1912. 



Of recently introduced paddies, the most popular is that known as Ras- 

 cadam, a Central Indian variety, obtained through the Madras Department of 

 Agriculture. 



One of the most important means for effecting the improvement of the 

 yield of paddy, which in some parts is incredibly low, is seed selection. It is to 

 be regretted that so little work has hitherto been done in this direction. 



Co-operative Credit Societies. 

 The Ordinance dealing with these societies has now passed into law, and it 

 only remains for the initiative to be taken by those who desire to benefit by its 

 provisions. Up to now only the Dumbara Agricultural Society has extended the 

 practical benefits of an Agricultural Rank to its members, and given them an oppor- 

 tunity of realizing the advantage of financial aid granted on a constitutional basis. 



The Wellaboda pattu (Galle) branch has decided to follow the lead of Dum- 

 bara, and it is to be hoped that other bodies will not be slow in deciding to provide 

 the goiya with his much-needed capital, to the absence of which is to be attributed 

 his lack of enterprise and contentment with his present position as a producer. 



Tobacco. 



The complete report of Mr. J. van Leenhoff, the tobacco expeit, on the 

 tobacco industry of the Island, has been published, and it is, therefore, unnecessary 

 to make more than a passing reference to it. 



The chief point which Mr. van Leenhoff brings out is that no extensive 

 growth of a new tobacco should be undertaken until it is definitely ascertained by 

 scientific investigation that the particular variety is the best suited to local condi- 

 tions of soil, climate, &c 



In Dumbara a syndicate of the local society's members are growing and 

 curing tobacco for the foreign market, with the advice of Mr. J. V. L. Valabane, a 

 Dutch tobacco planter. The main object in view is to grow a good filler leaf, which 

 is considered to be most likely to succeed, instead of attempting to compete with 

 Sumatra in producing a high class wrapper. The cigars manufactured under 

 Mr. Valabane's supervision have found a ready local sale. 



Cotton. 



Cotton growing is making slow progress. It would appear that though 

 small plots of Sea Island have done very well, the American long-staples are most 

 likely to succeed under extensive cultivation. Reporting under date May 7, 1912, 

 on the Black Rattler cotton grown at Tumpane, Prof. Dunstan states : — "The lint 

 is clean, fairly lustrous, soft, fine, cream coloured, and free from stains ; with 

 'middling' American at 6 - 57d., its commercial value may be put down at8£d.; the 

 cotton is of good, useful quality, and would be readily saleable in the United 

 Kingdom." 



The varieties known as Cambodia and Sakellarides have stood dry conditions 

 particularly well. 



The recent fall in the European cotton market has been most unfortunate 

 just at this juncture. 



As agents of the British Cotton-growing Association, Messrs. Preudenberg 

 & Co. have done much to push the industry, but it would appear that what is 

 wanted is a series of well- controlled plantations of respectable size, and in the most 

 promising districts, particularly those in which the ordinary crops of the Island do 

 not thrive. 



