September, 1912.] 



227 



■products were very poor, excepting one or two good specimens of mats. 

 Preserves and pickles were fairly good. Under School Garden Products 

 there were six entries, and the first prize was awarded to Beliaua School, 

 which showed a very good collection of vegetables as well as fruits. 

 Tudugala was scond best." 



The same Instructor reported as follows on the Bandaragama Show, 

 also held in May last :— 



" The annual market show of Rnyigam korale, organized by Muda- 

 liyar Wirasinghe, was held at the Wevita Government School on the 25th 

 instant, and was opened by Mr. G. F. Plant, Assistant Government 

 Agent of Kalutara, in the presence of a large gathering of visitors, inclu- 

 ding the Secretary of the Ceylon Agricultural Society. Among the Jruits 

 were fine specimens of mangoes, pineapples, oranges, pumelo, lime, jak, 

 soursop, and papaw. Plantains were on the whole rather poor. A 

 feature in this class was the exhibit of pines, which in number and 

 quality were better than those hitherto shown. Yams, cassava, 

 sweet potatoes, airowroot, kukulala and innala made a good show. The 

 vegetable section was also a good one. Practically all the kinds specified 

 in the catalogue were represented, and among these were very fine speci- 

 mens of capsicum, kohila, bandakka brinjal and chillie. Dairy produce 

 was rather poorly represented with the exception of eggs, which made a 

 fairly good show. Among the commercial products were some very good 

 specimens of cocouuts, oils and plumbago. The exhibits in the live stock 

 class were very satisfactory, particularly the fowls. The needlework 

 exhibits were fairly good. Under industrial products the specimens of 

 mats were very fine ; and ekel brooms, coconut shell work, and Kalutara 

 baskets also made a good show. Preserves and pickles were rather poor, 

 For School Garden Products Paragastota was awarded first prize." 



A village show was held at Akmimana, near Galle, on June 22 (as a 

 "feeder" for the Colombo Exhibition), at which the Secretary was 

 present. 



Paddy. 



A variety ot paddy from India kuown as Molagu Samba, andrecom, 

 mended as superior to Mutusamba, is under trial on a fairly large scale by 

 private cultivators at Ambalangoda, Matale and Batticaloa, and on a 

 smaller scale by the Agricultural Instructors. 



The following information regardidg this variety has been supplied 

 by the Indian authorities ;— " Molagu Samba paddy is transplanted here 

 in August— September. The seedlings are raised thinly at the rate of 

 8 Madras measures for 8 cents of seed bed, which is heavily manured. 

 The seedlings raised in 8 cents of land will be quite sufficient to transplant 

 an acre. The seedlings are pulled out when they are 30 to 40 days old and 

 transplanted singly 4 to 6 inches apart. After transplanting, the land is 

 always kept under water— say about an inch deep— so that the puddle is 

 never allowed to dry. Under these conditions Molagu Samba does well 

 on ordinary wet lands, taking about 5 months to mature. This is a very 

 good tillering variety. The stems of plants are stout enough to bear 

 heavy heads without lodging. The variety is easily thrashed." 



Gjod reports continue to be received regarding Rascadum paddy, 

 referred to in the last Progress Report. Writing from Katugastota Mr, 

 J. R. Nugawela reports that he considers it the best for Harispattu, 



