TIB! IE 



TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST 



AND 



MAGAZINE OF THE 



CEYLON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Vol. XXXI. COLOMBO, 15th AUGUST, 1908. No. 2. 



Rice Cultivation in Ceylon. 



A Sessional Paper (VI. of 1908) has 

 just been published, containing there- 

 plies of the Government Agents to an 

 enquiry addressed to them asking for a 

 report on the present condition of rice 

 cultivation in their provinces, with 

 statements of hindrances to it, and re- 

 commendations how best to secure its 

 extension. 



Their replies are distinctly discourag- 

 ing to those who hope to see great 

 extensions, and indeed it cannot be 

 wondered at. Ceylon, with its small areas 

 of flat land, poor soil, broadcast sowing, 

 poor weeding or cultivation, inferior 

 grades, absence of crop-rotation, and 

 other disadvantages, to say nothing of 

 any lack of industry of its people, cannot 

 hope to compete against Bengal, Burma, 

 or Indo-China as a rice-exporting 

 country. The most that can be hoped for 

 is that it should grow its own supply, so 

 far as its native (other than immigrant 

 coolie) population is concerned. 



There are many districts in which the 

 continued opening of village tanks is 

 recommended for the extension of culti- 

 vation, but it must be remembered that 

 the people are rarely willing to grow 

 any rice for sale, and will often leave 

 the land uncultivated for a year or two 

 after a good crop. 



Agricultural banks or credit societies, 

 and similar societies for the supply 

 of seed or manure, are probably the 

 most promising direction in which to 

 look. We have preached this doctrine 

 for several years now, and were con- 

 sequently very glad to hear His 

 Excellency's deliverance on the subject 

 (cf. T.A. last Vol., p. 578) at the Annual 

 Meeting of the Society. 



Another feature that comes out 

 strongly is the effect of more remuner- 

 ative occupation, e.g., on rubber estates, 

 upon paddy cultivation. 



Altogether the report is worth study, 

 and we shall probably return to the 

 subject. 



