Nov. 1906.] 



409 



Live Stock. 



The success which has attended the exhibition of stock by these Institutions 

 lias given rise to some complaint as to the competition of bodies supported or 

 assisted by public funds with private exhibitors. This objection, however, does not 

 seem to have met with much support, and in discussing the question the Experi- 

 ment Station Record points out that, as a matter of fact, the champions for the past 

 four years have been purchased in the open market at market prices, or by auction, 

 and any advantage which the colleges may have had has been in the direction of 

 ability and not of funds. In feeding the animals no secrecy is observed, The 

 conditions are a matter of careful record, and the results are, therefore, a contribu- 

 tion to the practice of feeding. 



Their success in open competition with the best breeders has had a great 

 influence in popularizing agricultural education, and has produced a striking change 

 in the attitude of the American farmer towards these institutions. Of the list of 

 judges at the show, nine were men connected with the colleges, and they judged 

 in nearly 150 classes. Their work was repeatedly commended for the soundness of 

 of judgment displayed, and it was evident that they and the college instructors and 

 authorities generally had secured the farmers' respect and confidence. — The Journal 

 of the Board of Agriculture, May, 1900. 



Sericulture in Ceylon, 1905-6. 



By E. Ernest Green. 



The silk experiment — as far as the Agricultural Society is concerned— has now- 

 been in operation for a year. A short account of its inception and progress may 

 be useful to the Society. 



At a meeting of the Agricultural Board, held on the 6th February, 1905, the 

 Government Entomologist moved " That an experiment in Silk Cultivation be made 

 in Ceylon by the creation of a silk-worm rearing establishment." The motion was 

 carried and a small Committee consisting of Mr. Nicolle, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Green 

 was appointed to consider the details. An estimate of the cost of the experiment 

 was submitted to and approved by the Board, and a sum of Rs. 5,000 was voted for 

 the purpose. 



It was, at the same time, decided to encourage the cultivation of silk- 

 worms amongst the natives, by the distribution of ' seed ' (eggs) and by an offer 

 to buy in the resulting crop. 



Some difficulty was at first experienced in the selection of a suitable piece 

 of land for the experiment. But, through the generosity of the Railway Department, 

 a small block of about six acres, situated at the Peradeniya Junction, was placed 

 at our disposal. This land was handed over in July of last year. 



The services of Mr. P. N. Braine, who had privately been experimenting in 

 sericulture for many years, and who had recently published a useful handbook on 

 the subject, were secured for the superintendence of the experiment, under the 

 su pervision of the Government Entomologist. 



The first work of the Superintendent was to re-clear the land which had been 

 partly opened in tea and coconuts. The few tea plants were removed, but the 

 coconut plants have been left in situ. Contracts were issued for the erection of a 

 silkworm-rearing house, a bungalow for the Superintendent, and a small set of cooly 

 lines. These buildings were completed by the end of November. 



The silkworm-rearing house is capable of accommodating about 100,000 

 worms at one time. The Superintendent's bungalow consists of two rooms, with 

 kitchen and servants' quarters. 



