354 



fOCT. 1906. 



experiment will oe given every chance of success. I am now making arrangements 

 for a supply of seed for experimental purposes in the following localities : — 



North- Western Province for ... 250 acres (for chena cultivation) 



Mullaittivu ... ... 120 ,, (for chena cultivation) 



Jaffna ... ... ... 20 



Delft ... ... ... 5 



Batticaloa ... ... 20 



14. Rotation of Chena Crops. — Other experiments are proposed as regards 

 chena cultivation in the Mullaittivu and Kurunegala Districts. 



The following rotation of chena crops has been suggested by the Director, 

 Royal Botanic Gardens, for experiment in Kurunegala :— Cotton, Tapioca (i.e., 

 Cassava), Dry Grains, and Ground Nuts. 



These experiments should prove of interest to chena cultivators in all parts 

 of the Island, their object being to prove whether it is not possible by the adoption 

 of a scientific rotation of crops to overcome the necessity for allowing chena lands to 

 lie fallow for ten or twenty years at a time, as is at present done in most parts of 

 the country. 



15. Vegetable Seeds.— A further supply of vegetable seeds is to be imported 

 by the Society shortly. 



16. Castration of Cattle. — Since the last report three demonstrations have 

 been given in the Southern Province, namely, at Ganegama, Wauduramba, and 

 Nagoda, Eight demonstrations have been held iu the North- Western Province, 

 at Nawagategama, Ihalapitiya, Kulama, Mampuri, Nachchikalli, Kalpitiya, 

 Moheriya, Kafctakadu, and Pallaure. Twelve in the North-Central Province : 

 at Toruwewe, Karawilagala, Gautiriyagama, Halambawe, Galkiriyagama, Balalu- 

 wewa, Unduruwe, Kadawatgama, Etakade, Kallanchiya, Tambalagollewa, and 

 Rambewa. Twelve demonstrations are in the course of arrangement in the 

 North- Western Province. 



To date the figures are 2,293 cattle castrated, belonging to 1,872 owners, 

 at 113 demonstrations 122 men have been taught the operation. 



17. Castration Work by locally trained Men.— The following are details 

 of work done by the men trained at local centres : — 



Hambantota 10 animals castrated, Lower Dunibara 13, Matara 99 (in 1905), 

 Panadura 40, Delft 24, Kandy District (Harispattu 6, Pata Dumbara 13) 19; in 

 Wellaboda pattu (Galle) the locally trained men are reported to be carrying on 

 work. Owing to want of instruments and medicines no operations have been 

 carried out by the trained men iu Mullaittivu, Three Korales and Lower Bulatgama, 

 Chilaw, Talaugama, Mannar, and Anuradhapura. Arrangements are being made 

 to supply the necessary instruments and drugs. The Jaffna Branch, Delft Gan- 

 sabhawa, and the Village Committees of the Central Province have supplied 

 instruments and medicines to the men in those districts. Two men trained in 

 the new method on Horrekelly estate are doing work there. 



18. In accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting of the 

 Board, arrangements were made to hold an Exhibition of Native Arts and Crafts in 

 connection With the Ceylon Rubber Exhibition at Peradeniya. Dr. A. K. Coomara- 

 swamy very kindly undertook to arrange for a representative exhibition of the 

 manufactures of the different parts of the Island. A special pavilion has been 

 erected for the Society on the Exhibition Grounds, while in addition four small tents 

 have been set apart for its use. Some seventeen parties of workmen have been 

 engaged, who are now giving daily demonstrations of their art. These include 

 weavers and brassfounders from Batticaloa, a painter from Jaffna, a cloth dyer from 

 Mannar, lace makers from near Colombo, workers in silver, brass, ivory, lacquer- 



