Miscellaneous . 



102 



Class VII. Native Produce. 



Although there was souae competition in this class, the exhibits did not 

 come up to a high standard, and only fourteen prizes were awarded. There were 

 thirty items for competition, chiefly from the villagers. 



Class VIII. Dairy Produce. 



Exhibits by estates and villagers, but principally by the townspeople. 



Class IX. Poultry. 

 The competition in this class was poor and only seven prizes were awarded in 

 Class VIII and three in Class IX. The chief exhibits were from the adjacent estates, 

 very few villagers competing. 



Class X. Preserved Fruits. 

 The items in this class were fairly competed for. Five prizes were awarded. 

 There were six items for competition, almost all from the town of Gampola. 



Class XI. Minerals. 



The entries in this class were as might be expected meagre and only one 

 prize was awarded, being for plumbago at Nawalapitiya. A few gems from 

 Pussellawa were shown. 



Class XII. Cattle, Sheep, Buffaloes and Pigs. 



This was a satisfactory class both in competition and in quality. The 

 exhibits were however all of section B— Native. No horses were exhibited. A gold 

 medal has been given by the Committee for a fine exhibit of a native bull, the 

 medal of the Agricultural Society not being awarded. A large proportion of the 

 exhibits were from the ' Lantern Hill ' Estate. 



Class XIII. Arts and Manufacture. 

 Exhibits in this class were restricted to Udapalata, Uda Bulatgama and 

 Kotmale, in the hope that the craftsmen of these districts would compete. The 

 result was very disappointing, the only silver exhibits shown being of ancient 

 workmanship and very little Udapalata pottery was shown. It appears well nigh 

 impossible in the absence of stimulus from the walauwas for the craftsmen of 

 Udapalata, many of whom are of families renowned in Kandyan times, to shake of 

 their apathy. This class was as usual crowded with the rubbish now in vogue 

 among Kandyans and Lowcountry Sinhalese. 



Summary. 



On the whole, considering the time of the year— dry weather — it must be 

 admitted that the show was a success, though both in quality and quantity the 

 exhibits of flowers, fruits and vegetables fell far short of what was desired (the 

 paucity of exhibits in these classes being very noticeable). It should also be borne 

 in mind that this was the first show in Gampola. Success in future shows will 

 greatly depend on the interest and competition aroused among producers and 

 cultivators by holding shows at regular and recognised periods and dates. 



The wish to exhibit curiosities and abnormal specimens of plants, fruits, 

 manufacture, etc. at public shows is a noticeable feature among the villagers. 

 They cannot be too often told that what is required is the exhibition of the best 

 produce of their gardens, fields, etc. 



The bulk of the exhibits came from cultivators and traders. Among the 



villagers the headmen were conspicuous in their exhibits, but competition would 



certainly be greater and more general if sufficient interest were aroused, and the 



villagers gradually made to recognise the ad vantages of bestirring themselves and 



taking more personal trouble to grow and exhibit produce from their lands and 



their cattle. „ 



H. WAGE, 



H. W. CODRINGTON, Chairman. 

 Honorary Secretary. 



