230 



(September, 1912. 



Mr. E. R. Nathaniehz, presently of 1,121, Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, 

 leporting on April 1st on a sample of coca leaves forwarded by Mr. K. 

 Bandara Beddewella of Maligatenna, Kandy, says : "The coca leaves 

 have been valued at 13—16 cents (American)=39— 48 Ceylon cents per 

 lb., duty amounts to 5 cents per lb. How does this compare with London 

 and Hamburg ? Bolivia leaf still holds its own. Just now the market is 

 dull, as large stocks are held in Hamburg. As for cajunuts we can give 

 from 16 cents (48 Ceylon cents) upwards." 



The Government Agricultural Chemist has furnished (June 25, 1912) 

 the following report on rain tree (Pithecolobium saman) beans, submitted 

 to him for analysis by the Secretary, with an inquiry whether they are 

 likely to prove useful as food for cattle (which readily eat them), like the 

 locust bean (Ceratonia siligua) of Cyprus, and the Algaroba bean (Prosopis 

 julifloi a) of the Hawaii Islands :— " I beg to enclose my analysis of above, 

 and regret that I cannot give definite answer as to whether this would be 

 suitable as a base for a feeding stuff, as there was not a sufficient quantity 

 of the sample to make extracts for determination of the toxicological effects 

 on animals. It will be seen from the analysis that the seeds have about 

 the same percentage of proteid matter as wheat pollard, but the latter has 

 more Carbohydrates and oil, and less fibre. The nutrient ratio works out 

 at 1"4, against wheat pollard 1*5. 



"The following is the analysis :— Moisture, 1840 per cent.; ether 

 extract, 1*50 per cent. ; proteids 12 90 per cent. ; woody fibre, 16 70 per 

 cent. ; carbo-hydrates, 48*40 per cent. , ash 210 per cent. ; total, lOO'OO per 

 cent. Nitrogen, 2"06 per cent. ; nutritive ratio, 1*4 per cent," 



A correspondent from Ipoh, Straits Settlements, in forwarding a 

 sample of earthy nodules, writes that it is imported by the Chinese for 

 their pot plants, which thrive very luxuriantly as the result of being 

 grown in soil mixed with this manurial earth. The sample was submitted 

 to the Government Agricultural Chemist who reports as follows : — 



" The sample when received was in lumps and had all the appearance 

 of a clay. On grinding it was found to consist of fine earthy matter, 

 98 per cent, passing the 60 mesh sieve. On analysis it was found to be 

 a calcareous earth ; compared with a soil, it had large supplies of magnesia, 

 phosphoric acid, potash and sulphates. The phosphoric acid was found 

 to be practically available, and nearly 30 per cent, of the potash. The 

 nitrogen is in good proportion but the nitrate present only amounted 

 to a trace. The water soluble material amounted to 2 4 per cent. 



•* I consider this would form a valuable slow acting manure, well 

 suited to the purpose for which it is used, and it would be worth while 

 importing a ton or two to try the effect in a practical manner," 



The suggestion to import a ton or two is being acted upon. 

 Pests and Diseases, 



Specimens of diseased coconut leaflets forwarded to the Government 

 Entomologist were reported on as follows :—" The disease is caused by a 

 Coccid (Aspidiotus destructor). This insect is common on coconut fronds 

 in Ceylon, but seldom insufficient numbers to cause serious injury to the 

 plant. It is kept in check by various enemies, amongst which the most 

 important is a small 'Ladybird' beetle. The specimens received from 

 you have been almost obliterated by this beetle. Aspidiotus destructor 

 has been reported as extremely destructive to coconut palms, both in the 

 kaccadive Islands and in the Isle de la Reuaionj 



