Miscellaneous. 



148 



[February, 1912. 



Seed Distribution, 

 The usual supply of vegetable seeds 

 obtained for members for October plan- 

 ting, and a large consignment of Soy- 

 bean and Tephrosia purpurea seed, was 

 distributed to members who booked 

 beforehand. 



The following notes taken from a 

 memorandum on Tephrosia purpurea, 

 drawn up by the Manager of the Sivagiri 

 farm, are published for the information 

 of those who are growing the plant for 

 green manure :— 



The full sowing rate is 10 lb. per acre. 

 The seed under favourable conditions, 

 that is, where the land has been prepared 

 by ploughing, &c, should germinate 

 within a week; otherwise it lies dormant 

 for a considerable period without losing 

 vitality, this being generally the case 

 where the moisture in the soil is excessive 

 or insufficient. The germination of Teph- 

 rosia seed may be hastened by spreading 

 the seed on the ground after mixing with 

 river sand, covering with straw, and 

 getting it trampled by cattle. The seed 

 can afterwards be separated by winnow- 

 ing. On a small scale the seed mixed 

 with sand may be pounded in a mortar. 



On stiff land the plant grows with 

 difficulty, but continuous sowing of it 

 greatly assists in improving the condi- 

 tion of the soil. The crop is peculiarly 

 suitable for growth during the peiiod 

 the land is idle. 



Seeds of two varieties of Indian chillies, 

 received from Koilpatti farm, are under 

 trial by the Agricultural Instructors, 

 while a quantity of Zanzibar chilli seed 

 is available for distribution. This latter 

 variety is suitable for export in the dry 

 condition, and fetches good prices in the 

 London market, it is not likely to have 

 much value in the local market. 



Seed of hickory king maize, raised lo- 

 cally, has been widely distributed in 

 localities where maize is usually grown. 



Seeds of giant bamboo, a good variety 

 of brirjjal, and Zanzibar chilli are avail- 

 able to members. 



Fruit Cultivation, 



The distribution of grafted fruit plants, 

 over 700 in number, was attended to by 

 Mr. Jayasuria, assisted by Mr. Bandara- 

 nayake. The plants arrived at a favour- 

 able time, and with the prevailing 

 showery weather they should make a 

 good start, 



A few seeds and plants of the bell 

 apple were received from Fiji, and seeds 

 of rambutan and pullesang from the 

 Straits. 



The Assistant Government Agent, 

 Fttttftlam, reports that tour grafted 



grape vines supplied by the Society are 

 thriving in Kalpitiya. They are of the 

 Cordo Blanco variety. 



Some very interesting details about 

 the canning of pineapples has been 

 kindly furnished by Mr. Edward B. 

 Nathanielsz, presently of Brooklyn, New 

 York, who has also transmitted a letter 

 from the President ot the Sanitary Can 

 Company of New York, advising the 

 despatch of specimens of the sanitary 

 can sealed without solder or acid. Any 

 one interested in this matter should 

 apply to the Secretary for further parti- 

 culars. 



All-Ceylon Exhibition, 1912. 

 The arrangements for this show are 

 well under weigh. The various sub- 

 committees appointed to deal with the 

 details connected with buildings, cata- 

 logue, &c, have held meetings and 

 made definite recommendations. The 

 Exhibition will be held at the Victoria 

 Park on or about July 1, 1912, and will 

 remain open for a week. Numerous 

 applications are coming in for the cata- 

 logue, which is now ready. The Poultry 

 Club and the Kennel Club have joined 

 forces with the Executive Committee, 

 so that there is no likelihood of the 

 Exhibition suffering by any counter 

 attraction. 



Sericulture. 



Work progresses satisfactorily at the 

 Silk School and Farm in Peradeniya. 

 The Commanding Officer of the Salvation 

 Army repoits that the Manager conti- 

 nued the planting of mulberry over the 

 whole land, except the lower portion, 

 which has been given to castor. The 

 Japanese reeling machine is now in 

 daily use, and the mulberry cocoons 

 iu stock are being reeled into two-and 

 three-ounce skeins. Samples of the silk 

 submitted to experts have been com- 

 mended for their strength and brilli- 

 ancy, and pronounced equal in quality 

 to the silk produced in other silk schools 

 in India. The Manager has received a 

 number of inquiries and visits from 

 those interested in sericulture. Silk- 

 worm eggs, mulberry cuttings, and 

 castor seed have also been supplied to 

 applicants. 



Within the next two or three months 

 the Salvation Army intend to send a 

 qualified instructor into the villages to 

 advise teachers and others willing to 

 undertake the rearing of silk worms. 



The Secretary of the Society inspected 

 the Silk Farm on the 17th, and witnessed 

 the process of silk reeling. 



Demonstration Gardens* 



A Committee of the Wellaboda Pattu 

 Branch, reporting on the Weragoda 



