116 



Agricultural Society Progress Report. XX. 



There are now 1,103 members of the Ceylon Agricultural Society, and 47 

 Branch Societies. Steps are being taken to form new Societies in Udunuwara 

 and Harispattu of the Central Province. 



The following are the dates fixed for Agri-Horticultural Shows:— 

 Kurunegala .. ... August 23, 24, and 25. 



Avisawella ... ... September 7 and 8. 



Kegalle ... ... ••• September 21 and 22. 



Wellaboda Pattu (Galle) ... November 16 and 17. 



Three Korales and Lower Bulat- 



gaina (Market Show) ... End of August (probably). 



Batticaloa... ... . . Early in 1907. 



The Hon. Mr. C. T. D. Vigors has been nominated to act as Chairman 

 of the Live Stock Committee of the Board of Agriculture in succession to the 

 late Hon. Mr. H. Wace. C.M.G., ; and Mr. L. W. Booth as Member of the Finance 

 Committee in succession to Mr. H. T. S. Ward. 



Mr. A. N. Galbraith, c.c.s., was appointed to succeed Mr. E. B. Denham, c.c.s., 

 as Secretary of the Society, with effect from the 25th June. 



Mr. Denham has been nominated a Member of the Board, and of the 

 Live Stock and Agricultural Education and Publications Committees. 



A meeting of the Welimada Branch Society was held on the 9th June. 

 There are now 42 members on the roll of this Society. It was decided at the 

 meeting to send an exhibit of beans to the Colombo Agri-Horticultural Show. 

 Papers were read by Mr. D. A. M. Fernando on " Niyanda Fibre," and by 

 Mr. N. P. R. Coorey on "Cotton." 



Rotation of Crops on Chena Lands.— The Mullaittivu Branch proposes to 

 experiment in the cultivation of chena lands on scientific principles. It is proposed 

 that every applicant for a chena permit for an acre of land be allowed an additional 

 half acre, on the understanding that the latter is cultivated entirely with cotton. 

 A further condition attached to all permits issued this year by the Assistant 

 Government Agent is That the permit-holder shall plant an area of at least 30 

 feet each way with manioca. Application has also been made by this Society 

 for suggestions as to rotations of crops which might be tried on chena lands. 



The Kegalle Branch has applied for sixteen of the model Cawnpore ploughs 

 to be imported from India, in addition to the thirty-seven already ordered. 



The Kandy Branch has been asked to supply two bushels of Hatial seed 

 paddy to the Galle district Agricultural Association, for the Wellaboda Pattu 

 Mudaliyar, Avho is to experiment with this variety in that pattu. 



A meeting of the Nuwaira Eliya Agricultural Society was held on the 

 11th June, when an interesting paper on "Market Gardening in Nuwara Eliya 

 and some of its Difficulties " was contributed by Mr. C. W. Bartholomeusz. A 

 report received from the Assistant Superintendent of School Gardens regarding 

 a caterpillar pest affecting paddy at Padiyapelella, near Maturata, was read, and 

 it was resolved to adopt the measures suggested by the Government Entomo- 

 logist as a means of combating the pest. Mr. H. D. Martin has promised to give 

 demonstrations in castration and in ploughing byimpioved methods at Nildanda- 

 hena or Harasbedda. 



At a Committee Meeting of the Batticaloa Branch Society it was decided- 

 to appoint one of the trained men for the castration of cattle, It was also 

 resolved to call a general meeting for the 30th June to make preliminary 

 arrangements for an Agri-Horticultural Show to be held early next year. 



