May, 1910.] 



450 



Miscellaneous. 



by postgraduate study, and with a 

 broad insight into science and its 

 methods and its spirit. 



This is true of horticulture as well 

 as elsewhere, but the supply is exceed- 

 ingly small. The opportunity is here 

 but not the men to meet it. The need 

 for investigation lies in its relations 

 to both the art and to teaching. The 

 more transitory tests and experiments 

 have been extremely useful, although 

 half-way knowledge is uncertain and 

 likely to be misleading. Horticulture is 

 largely intensive, and mistakes are 

 serious. As Prof. Bailey said, "A special 

 obligation of good and careful investi- 

 gation rests on all those who study any 

 of the practices whereby men and 

 women wrest their livelihood in the 

 world." From the standpoint of the 

 teacher the present need for investi- 

 gation is even more imperative if horti- 

 cultural instruction is to keep pace 

 peclagogically with that in other branches 

 of agriculture, based on investigation 

 in which the horticulturists themselves 

 take an active part. 



There has seemed sometimes to be a 

 disinclination among horticulturists to 

 map out a restricted field and settle 

 down to investigation in it. In a number 

 of instances men are now employed 

 primarily for investigation, and the 

 attempt is made to relieve them of every 

 disturbing or distracting feature, and to 

 leave them to their quest. Some of these 

 men unfortunately fail to meet the re- 

 quirements, because they cannot resist 

 the fascination of horticulture as an art 

 and a business, and the practical ques- 

 tions which it suggests. 



The commercial possibilities are dis- 

 concerting to some well-prepared men. 

 Too often they are drawn by the at- 

 traction of making money, rather than 

 by that of adding new facts to the fund 

 of human knowledge and thus becoming 

 one of the civilising agencies of their 

 day. The commercial spirit dominates 

 the scientific, and they become restless 

 and dissatisfied. We can never have 

 investigation in horticulture under the 

 direction of horticulturists, until we 

 have a class of men with the investigative 

 turn of mind, the training which pre- 

 pares for it, and the taste which makes 

 its pursuit and its associations satisfying. 



CEYLON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Progress Report XLIX. 



Membership — Since the meeting of 

 February 7, 1910, the following members 

 have joined the Society :— Chas, A. Peiris, 

 D. E. H. Pedris, W, M. R. Elwes, T. 



McGuffie, Henry B. Less, J. W. Oldfield, 

 Geo. Boysen, W. Carver, T. Felix 

 Fernando, S. Alex. Marten, Watkin R. 

 Roberts, A. J. Van Rooyen. These 

 additions bring up the total membership 

 to 920. 



Official Tours. — The Organizing Vice- 

 President (Dr. Willis) returned to Ceylon 

 after nearly a year's absence on leave 

 and resumed duties on the 1st instant, 

 relieving Mr. R. H. Lock, who had been 

 acting for him. 



On the 20th and 21st Dr. Willis visited 

 the Matale District in connection with 

 the extension of school garden work at 

 Madipola, where an addition of land has 

 been granted. 



The Secretary has been on inspection 

 duty to Alutgama, Kossama, Weke, 

 Ambanpola, Galgamuwa, and Matale. 



Mr. Wickramaratne visited Maggoua, 

 Chilaw, Puttalam, and Bellana, and has 

 been engaged practically during the 

 whole of March in the Rayigam korale, 

 being assisted during the latter part of 

 the month by Mr. N. M. Jayasuriya, 

 locum tenens for Mr. L. A, D. Silva, who 

 is on sick leave. 



Mr. Molegode has been working in 

 the Matale Distiict, visiting Naula, 

 Dambulla, Inamaluwa, Galaweila, &c. 



Mr. Chelliah, whose work lies in 

 the Northern Province, paid a visit 

 to Anuradhapura in connection with 

 damage done by the paddy fly. He has 

 since left (4th instant) for Batticaloa to 

 temporarily fill the vacancy created by 

 the transfer of Mr. Breckeuridge to the 

 scene of the tobacco experiment at Maha 

 Illuppallama. 



Branch Societies. — The Secretary of 

 the Dumbara Branch has forwarded 

 report and balance sheet for the past 

 year, which will receive due notice in 

 the Society's annual report. The branch, 

 which continues to do excellent work, 

 has arranged for an agricultural show to 

 be held at -Teldeniya on July 22 and 23. 

 Special medals will be offered (1) for the 

 best exhibit of Tobacco grown and cured 

 in the district, and (2) for the best sample 

 of locally raised Cotton. 



The programme of the Harispattu 

 Branch for 1910 includes paddy cultiva- 

 tion on improved lines at five centres 

 under the supervision of the Agricultural 

 Instructor of the Central Province. A 

 village show has also been decided on, 



The Galle-Gangaboda Pattu Branch is 

 carrying out a comparative test to 

 ascertain the difference in the yield of 

 broadcasted and transplanted paddy. 

 This Society is interesting itself in assist- 

 ing cultivators to secure manure from a 



