November, 1912.] 



THE ALL-CEYLON EXHIBITION, 1912. 



Low-Country Products. 



The Section devoted to Low-country Products as distinct from the 

 Estate Products or Up-country planting products (Rubber, Tea, Cocoa, &c.) 

 included as its main sub-section exhibits representing the coconut 

 industry, viz., coconuts in and out of the husk (judged for size and thick- 

 ness of kernel or meat), largest bunch, king coconuts (chiefly used for 

 drinking), collection of varieties, copra (sundried and kiln dried), poonac 

 or coconut cake turned out by the chekku or native bullock-mill and 

 made by machinery), coconut oil (ordinary and white), yarn and rope, 

 fibre (bristle and mattress), dessica ted coconut of various grades (represent- 

 ing an industry by itself), arrack or coconut spirits, and a general collec- 

 tion of the product of the coconut palm. 



The Exhibits under all these heads were numerous and of good quality 

 so that competition was keen, and the liveliest interest evinced in the 

 decision of the judges. 



In fact the demand on the available space was so great that the less 

 perishable exhibits, consisting of unhusked nuts, had to be accommodat- 

 ed in the open — particularly the collections of different varieties (of which 

 one exhibitor sent not less than 32) and the bunches. 



In addition to the exhibits in the main pavilion, the Low-country 

 Products Association justified its designation by an interesting collection 

 housed in its own pavilion, which was well patronised by visitors. The 

 success of this excellent representation must be credited to the energetic 

 Secretary of the Association, Mr, H. L. de Mel, who was kept very busy 

 answering questions and furnishing information. 



Mention should also be made of two " coconut-houses " erected by 

 Mudaliyar A. E. Rajapakse and Mr. Hector W. F. Dias, both of which 

 were very attractive trophies. These miniature pavilions were entirely 

 constructed of materials derived from the coconut palm, and their con- 

 tents illustrated the multifarious uses to which the different parts of the 

 palm could be put. 



Coconut Products. 



The awards for low-country products were particularly liberal 

 and consisted of no less than 6 cups, 3 gold medals and 25 silver medals. 

 The cups and gold medals for the coconut exhibits were distributed as 

 follows :— 



A. — Cups. 



1. Best all round sample of 12 nuts (husked): 



Don Pedrick Gunatillaka, P. V., Bandaragama. 



2. Collection of coconuts of different varieties, 1 bunch of* each, 



Mr. W. H. Dassanaike, Kanatte Road, Colombo. 



3. Collection of products of the coconut palm : 



Mudaliyar A. E. Ra japakse, Katunayake. 



B. - Gold Medals. 



1. Best commercial sample of Copra ; 



Mr. R. E. S. de Soysa, Alfred House, Colombo. 



2. Dessicated Coconuts, 3 grades, one lb. of each ; 



Mr. H, A- Peiris, Barnes Place, Colombo, 



