Oct. 1906.] 



351 



Agricultural Society Progress Report. XXI 1. 



The membership of the Ceylon Agricultural Society is now 1,120. 



1. Agri-Horticultural Shows.— 1 was present, by invitation of the Govern- 

 ment Agent, North- Western Province, at the Kurunegala Agri-Horticullural Show 

 held on the 23rd to 25th August. The show, which was the first of the kind ever 

 held in the North-Western Province, was on all sides considered to be an unquali- 

 fied success. It had twice been postponed owing to the unusual drought, but 

 in spite of the continuance of the drought up to a short time before the show the 

 exhibition of fruits and vegetables, &c, was remarkably good, while the classes 

 for live stock were exceptionally well filled. His Excellency the Governor visited 

 the show on the opening day. The reports of the scientific officers of the Society 

 on the sections judged by them are tabled. 



On the 7th and 8th August I was present at the Kelani Valley Agri- 

 Horticultural Show. The show was held on the grounds of the Kelani Valley 

 Club at Talduwa, and was opened by the Hon. Mr. H. L. Crawford, Government 

 Agent, Western Province. Like that at Kurunegala, the Kelani Valley Show 

 was the first of its kind ever held in the district, and, although it fell short of the 

 former as regards the number and variety of exhibits of village produce, the 

 classes for estate products, such as tea and rubber, were very well filled, as was 

 also the poultry section. 



The success of both these shows was most encouraging, and much credit 

 is due to the Honorary Secretaries, Mr. A. W. Seymour, C.C.S., at Kurunegala, 

 and Messrs. J. W. Bamforth and C. J. A. Marshall at Talduwa, for the trouble 

 taken by them to ensure a successful exhibition. It is to be hoped that both 

 shows will become annual fixtures. 



The Kegalla Agri-Horticulhiral Show will be held on the 21st and 22nd 

 September. 



It is proposed to hold a show of fruits and vegetables towards the end of 

 September at Telijjawila. 



At a meeting of the Telijjawila Local Society held on the 6th July it was 

 decided to hold a show of agricultural and industrial products of Weligam Korale 

 on the 15th March, 1907, at Weligama. It was further agreed to give a prize of 

 Rs. 50 for the best vegetable garden in crop in the next planting season, which 

 will be at the end of the year, and three prizes of Rs. 50, as at the previous show, 

 for the best results shown by transplanting of paddy in the ensuing yala harvest. 

 It was also agreed to include a class for cattle (milch cows or best-fed bulls) at 

 this show. 



Further shows will be held at the following centres as under : — 

 Three Korales and Lower Bulatgama (Market Show) ... October 21. 

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



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



At a meeting of the Three Korales and Lower Bulatgama Branch held on 

 the 21st July it was agreed to increase the number of prizes offered from 12 to 26. 

 Nine of the prizes are of Rs. 10 each, the rest being Rs. 5 each. Among the donors 

 are Messrs. W. Forsythe, W. J. Smith, R. I. Mackenize, several headmen, and 

 local merchants. 



2. Experimental Garden, Ratnapura.— The Committee appointed at the 



last meeting of the Ratnapura Branch have suggested two or three sites for opening 



the proposed experimental garden in the town of Ratnapura, but no definite 



selection has yet been made. It is expected that the matter will be definitely 



settled at the next meeting. 

 46 



