197 



vertically in the soil with the point downwards, but official ex riments in 

 Madagascar show that the best ways are (1) placing the nut obliqu y with the 

 point downwards, (2) placing the nut horizontally. The manuring of the plantation 

 occupies considerable space in the book, and the work and experiments of Lepine, 

 Bachoffen, Muntz and Gerard, and Cochraue are referred to ; while for the genera 

 cultivation of the estate the methods of several well-known Ceylon plantations 

 are given as good examples. Pests and diseases occupy one chapter ; the Black 

 Beetle (Orgctes Rhinoceros) and the Red Beetle (Rhynchophorus ferruginous) being 

 the chief mentioned. Part II. deals with coconut products ; copra, oil, poonac, 

 desiccated coconut, fibre, juggery and arrack, and coconut butter. Part III. 

 deals individually with the various coconut growing countries, and the trade in the 

 different coconut products. Mons. Prudhomme has already made a name for himself 

 in connection with tropical agriculture, and this work on the coconut will enhance 

 his reputation— I. E. 



Relating to the Sugar Industry in Peru. — By T. P. Sedgwick : published 

 by Haya, Verjel and Cia, Trujillo, Peru. Although not a great planting country 

 Peru seems to have done fairly well with sugar. In the planting districts the soils 

 as a whole are deep and their physical composition renders them very retentive of 

 moisture, while the drainage in the valleys is excellent. The soils are of the 

 alkali type. Sugar was first planted in Peru in 1570, but the modern industry 

 dates back only 30 or 40 years. The early modern factories were elaborately put 

 up and equipped ; " sugar was at a good price, money was easily made and liberally 

 spent in appliances then in vogue. Some factories had all the appliances that 

 could be, made of copper. This desire to have the best regardless of expense extended 

 to all departments of the estate. Sugar then took a turn and went down, and many 

 of the estates had to go out of business." The tendency now is to group the estates 

 by purchasing or leasing, working with a central factory ; so that the larger places 

 control upwards of 15,000 acres each. As regards labour, the labourers are well 

 treated in every way, and the usual shortage of sugar growing countries is not 

 felt ; in this respect Peru may have accomplished what many other countries have 

 failed in. Good modern machinery is used for cultivating, and irrigation is ex. 

 tensively practised. Methods of manufacture vary considerably, but in most 

 factories the work is excellent and up-to-date- Manures, fertilizers, and the 

 methods of reclaiming alkali soils are treated, and the work gives a good insight 

 into the sugar industry of Peru.— I. E. 



The Ceylon Board of Agriculture. 



The TAventy-first meeting of the Board of Agriculture was held in the 

 Council Chamber on Monday, the 2nd July, at 12 noon. 

 His Excellency the Governor presided. 



There were present the Hon'ble Messrs. H. L. Crawford, c.m.g., S. C. 

 Obeyesekere, P. Arunachalam and F. Beven, Messrs. L. W. Booth, R. B. Strickland, 

 M. Relway Bamber, DanielJoseph, G. W. Sturgess, R. Morison, Dr. J. C. Willis, 

 the Maha Mudaliyar, and the Secretary. 



Mr. M. Suppramaniam was present as a visitor. 



Business Done. 



1. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. 



2. List of new members was read, and they were declared duly elected. 



