Miscellaneous. 



246 



district, and if only these were cultivated and encouraged there might be possibilities 

 of the canning of ^pines becoming an industry as in Singapore ; because, I was in- 

 formed, that at certain times of the year pines are procurable which could not be 

 improved upon anywhere in the world. The small sour kinds should nevertheless 

 be discarded altogether. 



Oranges and Limes. — The Mudaliyar informed me that the bulk of these 

 grown are poor in quality, only an odd tree producing fruit of a superior quality 

 being occasionally met with. One exhibit of each of these was good, indicating that 

 the district is suitable to their growth. Mangosteens and Avocado Pears are under 

 ti'ial only. 



Section II. Class A.— Vegetable Products. 



A large lot of oils were exhibited, most noteworthy being the sample of 

 groundnut, it being only the second time to date that this oil has been shown in the 

 Island ; there is a general complaint that the drawback of the groundnut cultivation 

 is that there is no suitable market, but when it can be turned into oil of such quality 

 this should perhaps be no longer a matter for consideration. I was told that the oil 

 is an excellent lubricant, and already being used for lighting purposes as a substitute 

 for kerosine and is more lasting, but rather like coconut oil the light being less 

 powerful. I could not find out definitely its cost, but it must be considerably dearer 

 than kerosine, and no doubt would be more profitable if sold for the same purpose as 

 Olive oil. 



Ground nut cake is dealt with further on. 



The Citronella oil was good and pure, and of the same quality as the samples 

 and unadulterated would easily fetch from ten to fifteen per cent better prices than 

 at present ruling in London. A paper on Citronella oil is to be read at the next 

 meeting of the Board to be held on 2nd proximo by Mr. Weerasuriya of the Weli- 

 gama Korale, when it will doubtless be shown that this district and the Southern 

 Province in general is admirably suited to its culti vation, which if extended should 

 result in good profits if the deplorable adulteration is ceased. 105 kinds of medicinal 

 oils were sent by one exhibitor, and in these there is large trade ; also with coconut 

 oil and native fibre which were all good. 



Class B. Coir Industry.— The yarn, fibre, and rope compared well with what 

 I have seen elsewhere, and the natives have an assured future if only industrious 

 enough. The imports of coir rightly are practically nil while the exports are large. 



Section III. Class A.— Food Products. 

 The tea samples, pepper, nutmeg and maize, cloves, ginger, arecanuts, and 

 copra were of a good class. ' Arrowroot was especially good and this product is 

 receiving the attention it deserves. Much might be done to save the imports of 

 pepper, coconuts, copra, palmyra fibre, maize, etc. 



Grains called forth a somewhat bewildering exhibit (said to include over 175 

 kinds, but the same variety was in all probability split up into several lots as is 

 usual at all shows), but all were of good quality. 



Section III. Class B.— New Products. 



This class was an important one. The groundnuts were as fine as could be 

 grown anywhere, and one plant was shown bearing (500 nuts which must constitute a 

 record — at this rate taking 80 nuts per plant to yield one ton per acre, one acre would 

 yield approximately 1\ tons. The groundnut cake was of fine quality, and should find a 

 large and ready sale as a fodder and manure. Mr. Herbert Wright informs me that it 

 contains 1\% of nitrogen, i.e., rather more than in Castor cake, and in the Weligama 



