[Nov. 1906. 



2. Agricultural Shoics : Yatiyantota Market Show.—l was present on the 

 21st October at the Yatiyantota Market Show, held under the auspices of the Three 

 Korales and Lower Bulatgama Agricultural Society. The Show was opened by 

 Mr. M. Stevenson, Assistant Government Agent, Kegalla. Mr. E. B. Denhani, with 

 whom the idea of holding a market show had originated, was also present. The 

 date fixed for the Show was the ordinary market day, and the exhibits consisted 

 of the fruits and vegetables ordinarily sold in the market. Money prizes, varying 

 in value from Re. 1 to Rs. 10 had been subscribed by a number of planters and 

 other gentlemen resident in the neighboui'hood, as well as by headmen and 

 members of the Local Society. All arrangements in connection with the Show were 

 in the hands of Mr. J. H. Meedeniya, Ratemahatmeya ; Mr. H. VV. Boyagoda, Acting 

 Ratemahatmeya ; and Mr. J. A. Ratnayake, Honorary Secretary of the Local Society. 

 This Show was the second of its kind, the first purely market show having been held 

 at Minuwangoda on 7th April last. Its success proved that the presence of a band 

 and the presentation of medals are not essential to the realization of the practical 

 object of all such shows, namely, the encouragement of the spirit of competition 

 and co-operation amongst the village cultivators. The display of vegetables in all 

 classes was good, yams and chillies being especially well represented. The total 

 cost of the Show was Rs. 462'37, Rs. 249 of which was distributed to the prize- 

 winners. 



Agricultural Fair, Telijjawila.— The Agricultural Show, which was to have 

 been held at Telj jawila in the Weligam Korale of the Matara District on the 31st 

 October, has been postponed owing to the inclemency of the weather. The Show^ 

 which will take the form of a Market Fair, will be held on the afternoon of the 15th 

 November, commencing at 2 p.m., at the Telijjawila Experimental Garden. 



The Wellaboda Pattu {Galle) Agri-Horticultural Show, under the auspices 

 of the Local Branch Society, is fixed for the Kith and 17th instant. Paddy fields 

 competing for the prize offered for the best field of transplanted paddy have been 

 judged by the second Assistant Superintendent of School Gardens ; and the 

 Gardens will be judged probably this week by a member of the staff of the Superin- 

 tendent of School Gardens. 



3. Citronella and Lemon Grass. — The Controller, Experiment Station, 

 Peradeniya, reports as follows The plots at Sita Eliya and Hakgala have been 

 inspected and the grass distilled. In the Hakgala plots the lemon grass and 

 citronella shoots were planted on the 4th September, 1905, on very poor soil, under 

 the shade of large trees. The yield of fresh grass and oil was very poor. In the 

 Sita Eliya plots the grasses were planted in nursery beds, which had been previously 

 manured. The citronella grass was planted in October, 1905, and cut on the 20th 

 July, 1900. A yield of 155 lb. of fresh grass was obtained from the original twenty 

 slips, and on distillation this yielded 8 ounces of pure oil of good quality. The 

 lemon grass grew fairly satisfactorily, but, owing to the cut grass being forwarded 

 to Colombo instead of being delivered to me, no distillation was carried out. I 

 have recommended that a further trial of citronella and lemon grass be made on 

 the patana near Sita Eliya, using the large stools now on the spot for planting 

 purposes." 



Lemon Grass. — Rootlets of this grass may be purchased from the Govern- 

 ment Veterinary Surgeon, Colombo ; Mr. B. Samaraweera of Weligama ; and Mr. 

 H, Napier Dias of Galle. These gentlemen report that they have respectively about 

 50,000, 500,000, and 800,000 rootlets available for sale. 



4. Foreign Vegetable Seeds. — Applications are now being booked for supplies 

 of vegetable seeds shortly expected from England. Intending cultivators are 



