Nov. 1906.] 



438 



" According to this view of the fertilisation of the pepper flowers a long 

 hot spell after the monsoon's commencement would cause stigmas to dry up before 

 fertilisation could be effected and many spikes would drop, for any unfertilised 

 flower is quickly thrown off by plants. The life of the male elements is short- 

 On the other hand, a succession of short spells of rain and sunshine would be 

 beneficial, since sunshine is necessary for the growth of the leaves and especially 

 for the maturing of the fruits. Plants with too heavy topshade are poor bearers, 

 and this is probably due to this absence of sunshine. Observations on all these 

 points are much needed and can only be made by those living on the pepper 

 plantations. The causes of the falling of the spikes especially should be studied. 

 Both in coffee and cacao this undesirable feature is carefully watched for and its 

 causes noted." 



The pamphlet is illustrated with photos of the Balamcotta and Kallivall 

 peppers of Wynaad, and a magnified drawing of a pepper flower showing the 

 various parts and the difference between the hermaphrodite and staminate 

 flowers.— I. E. 



The Ceylon Board of Agriculture. 



The Twenty-third Meeting of the Board of Agriculture was held in His 

 Excellency the Governor's Pavilion on the grounds of the Ceylon Rubber Exhibition 

 at Peradeniya, on Monday, 17th September, 1906, at 3 p.m. 



His Excellency the Governor presided. 



There were also present :— Hon. Mr, G. M. Fowler, Hon. Mr. J. P. Lewis, 

 Dr. J. 0. Willis, Messrs. W. D, Gibbon, Giles P. Walker, C. P. Hayley, R. Morison, 

 A. T. Rettie, E. B. Denham, M. Kelway Bamber, T. Petch, T. J. Campbell, W. 

 Dunuwille, G. W. Sturgess, Dr. H. M. Fernando, Messrs. E. E. Green, Daniel Joseph, 

 Gerard Joseph, Charles Taldena, R.M., J. H. Meedeniya, b.m., and the Secretary. 



The following were present as visitors : — Messrs, J. B. Carruthers, James 

 Ryan, Hon. T. L. McClintock Bunbury, p.s., Col. H. Byrde, Messrs. Walter C. 

 Price, H. Keyt, Tambopillai Mudaliyar (Mauiagar of Jaffna), and C. Rasauayagam 

 Mudaliyar. 



Business Done. 



1. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 



2. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. J. P. Lewis, seconded by Mr. W. D. 

 Gibbon, it was resolved :— That the Board desires to record its regret at the death of 

 the late Mr. T. B. Rambukwelle Ratemahatmeya, who was a member of the Board, 

 and to express its sympathy with the members of his family. 



3. List of new members was read. 



^ 4. Progress Report No. XXII was tabled. 



5. Reports of the Director and the Acting Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 the Superintendent of School Gardens, and the Government Veterinary Surgeon 

 on the sections judged by them at the Kurunegala Agri-Horticultural Show 

 were tabled. 



6. Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the first half-year of 1906 

 was tabled. 



7. A paper was read by Mr. E. B. Denham, c.c s., late Secretary to the 

 Board on " The Use and Objects of Agricultural Societies." On the suggestion of 

 Mr. W. Dunuwille, His Excellency the Governor directed that the paper be 

 translated into Sinhalese and Tamil for circulation. 



