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Agricultural Society Progress Report. XVI. 



The number of members on the Society's books is now 1,024, an increase of 

 23 since the last meeting. 



A proposal is before the Board to elect life members on payment of a 

 subscription of Rs. 50. 



His Excellency the Governor has nominated Mr. K. U. Tampaiya, District 

 Mudaliyar, Mullaittivu, to be a member of the Board for the Northern Province. 



Mr. 0. H. Bagot has been appointed a member of the Live Stock Committee 

 Members are reminded that their subscriptions for the Society's second year, 



from 1st November, 1905, to 31st December, 1906, are now due. 



Local Societies—Since the last meeting of the Board (12th February) I have 



visited the Branch Societies at Matara, Wellaboda pattu (Matara District), Tangalla, 



Hambantota, Telijjawila (Weligam korale), Kandaboda pattu (Matara District), 



and Kandy. 



At Matara an interesting report on experiments made in the district during 

 the past year was read by the Secretary, Mr. C. L. Meurling. Experiments are 

 being made in rubber cultivation. It was decided to take steps to increase the 

 membership of the Branch (at present only 15) with the object of starting an 

 experimental garden at Matara, a proposal which is favoured by members. 



The Wellaboda Pattu Branch has applied for a lease of three acres of Crown 

 land in the teak garden at Kekanadura. The members have agreed to pay an 

 annual subscription of Rs. 2— instead of Re. 1 — to meet the cost of upkeep of 

 the garden. 



It was decided to offer prizes at the Dondra Pair to encourage different 

 cultivations in this district. Rs. 50 was offered in prizes for best collections of 

 vegetables and fruit, for yams, pineapples, plantains, and the largest bunch of 

 coconuts. 



The Tangalla Branch proposes to start an experimental garden. There 

 is one at Weraketiya, ten miles from Tangalla, which I inspected. It would be 

 more useful to have the pattu garden at the most important centre, and it is 

 hoped that the site selected at Tangalla may be allowed for the purpose. 



U. L. M. Marikar, Mudaliyar, undertook to experiment with a new plough. 

 It is proposed to import a type xised in Tanjore. 



Offers to experiment with tobacco and lemon grass were made by members 

 of the Branch. 



The Hambantota Branch will experiment with cotton and rubber under 

 irrigation. Mr. Doole, Gate Mudaliyar, offered a prize of Rs. 25 (or a medal costing 

 that amount) for the best growth of cotton in the district. 



The members of the Branch agreed to subscribe an extra rupee per annum 

 for a prize for the best vegetable garden in Hambantota town. 



Application was made for cotton, saltbush, and vegetable seed. 



The Telijjawila Branch has extended its work through the Weligam korale 

 through the efforts of the headmen ; all the Vidane Arachchies and many of the 

 Vidanes have opened gardens of English and native vegetables. I visited those 

 on my way from Matara to Telijjawila, and was surprised at the number of vege- 

 tables grown and the care taken in planting out the gardens. The results should 

 be seen at the Weligam Korale Show on the 15th and 16th. Allowance must be 

 made for the severe drought now prevailing in this district. 



