Nov, 1900] 437 



Mr. J. Whitehead for demonstration in cotton ginning and dyeing. Also 

 the Government Agents, Jaffna and Batticaloa, and the following Local Agri- 

 cultural Societies for a variety of interesting exhibits :— 



Local Agricultural Societies of Telijjawila, Dumbara, Chilaw, Wellaboda 

 Pattu (Galle), Kandaboda Pattu (Matara), Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, and 

 Matara. 



8. The Secretary submitted a fly-whisk made of reed-bamboo sent in by the 

 Acting Director, Colombo Museum. His Excellency the Governor desired the 

 Secretary to make enquiries with a view to ascertaining whether any market could 

 be found for such an article. 



The meeting terminated at 1-30 p.m. 



Agricultural Society Progress Report. XXIV. 



1. Local Branches: — Dumbara Branch. Co-operative Credit Society. — At a 

 meeting of the Committee of the Co-operative Credit Society, Dumbara, held on 

 30th August, at Teldeniya, the Honorary Treasurer reported that Rs. 420 had been 

 received from twenty-two subscribers. It was agreed to purchase only 50 bushels 

 of paddy for the Madugoda store, and that the rest of the money in hand be 

 deposited in the Ceylon Savings Bank. 



Harispattu Branch.— At the Second General Meeting of this Branch held on 

 the 28th October, it was decided that experimental gardens be opened in each 

 Korale, situated either adjoining or near the chief school of the respective Korales 

 It was further decided to open a seed store at Katugastota. 



The judging of school vegetable gardens competing for the President's prize 

 of Rs. 10 has been fixed for the 18th November. 



The following gentlemen among others have consented to become honorary 

 members of the local society :— Messrs. Henry A. Barton, Gilbert James, W. H. 

 Biddulph, and J. A. McAllister. 



Wanni Hatpattu Branch.— At a meeting of this Branch held on the 17th 

 September it was decided to encourage cultivation of cotton on Crown chena given 

 on liberal terms by Government. It was resolved that all headmen open vegetable 

 gardens so as to encourage villagers to do the same, who can obtain seed on 

 application to the Chairman ; also to take active steps to enforce penning cattle — 

 the first step towards introducing tobacco cultivation in the hatpattu — and that 

 members of the Society and headmen open tobacco gardens in 1907. 



Matale Branch.— On the 18th October I presided at a general meeting of the 

 Matale Agricultural Society. The Honorary Secretary gave a short statement of 

 w r ork done since the last meeting, and mentioned that this Branch gained a gold 

 medal offered by the Parent Society for exhibits sent in for the Imperial Institute. 

 Reports were read from Chief Headmen reviewing their experience in experiments 

 in vegetables, cotton, groundnuts, chilli, and six-months paddy growing. It was 

 decided that steps should be taken for the establishment of an Experimental Garden 

 in Matale town, and the Honorary Secretary was asked to try and make arrange- 

 ments for a suitable site. It was agreed that the Agri-Horticultural Shoiv, which 

 was originally fixed for August last, but which had to be postponed on account of 

 the drought, should be held next year, preferably in the early part of June. A 

 paper was read by Mr. Tamby Ra jah on " Pineapple cultivation." 



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