350 



That it cannot be considered a first-class vegetable goes without discussion: 

 but that it deserves further trial in Ceylon is, I think, proved by the admitted treat- 

 ment "two or three hours' boiling" to which it has been subjected in the East ; and 

 its continued presence with us in the face of abundant supplies of Potatoes, Yams 

 and Tannias &c. which are here produced is further evidence of its value. 



(Signed) J. H. HART, F.L.S. 

 Botanical Department, Trinidad, 5th February, 



ANONA PALUSTRIS. 

 Dear Sir,— In a recent number of the " T.A." I saw the Anona palustris 

 described as a non-edible fruit. I bought seed, and have now a lot of young plants 

 growing, under the impression that it was an edible fruit. Can you tell me if it has 

 any use, as, if not, I may as well root up the plants. I have also some young plants 

 of Garcinia xanthochymus (Cochin Goraka) and Sapodilla ready to plant out- Can 

 you tell me whether they require to be planted under shade or not ? 



Yours faithfully, 



GEORGE WYLIE. 



Delagoa Bay, E. Africa, 3rd February. 



[The fruit of Anona palustris is, so far as I know, nowhere considered edible. 

 Although it has been grown here for some years I have not known of anybody deve- 

 loping a taste for it. It is said to contain a narcotic principle, and in the West Indies 

 is known as the " Alligator Apple." Cochin-goraka (Garcinia xanthochymus) and 

 Sapodilla {Achras sapota) are all the better for moderate shade during the first few 

 years of their growth, after which it should be gradually reduced and dispensed with ; 

 mature trees do not require shade.— H. F. MACMILLAN, Curator, Peradeniya.] 



The Ceylon Board of Agriculture. 



The Eighteenth Meeting of the Board of Agriculture was held at the Council 

 Chamber at 12 o'clock on Monday, April 2nd, 1900. 

 His Excellency the Governor presided. 



There were also present the Hon'ble Messrs. H. C. Nicolle and H. L. Crawford, 

 Messrs. J. Harward, W. D. Gibbon, H. T. S. Ward, M. Kelway Bamber, Herbert 

 Wright, G. W. Sturgess, Drs. Willis and II. M. Fernando, and the Secretary. 



As Visitors :— Messrs. M. Suppramaniam and A. B. Jayasuriya. 



Business Done. 



1. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. 



2. A list of applicants for membership was read, and they were declared duly 



elected. 



3. Progress Report No. XVII was circulated. 



4. A paper on " The Citronella Oil Industry in Ceylon," by Mr. B. Samara- 

 weera of Weligama, was read by Mr. A. B. Jayasuriya. Mr. Herbert Wright read a 

 report on the experiments made with Citronella at the Government Experiment 

 Station at Peradeniya, and the reports received on samples of oil sent to England. 

 Samples were circulated. His Excellency and Dr. Willis spoke on the subject. 



5. Dr. Willis moved "That the Society offer a Gold Medal or a prize of the 

 value of Rs. 100 to the Local Society which exhibits the best collection of samples of 

 native products at the Colombo Agri-Horticultural Show to be held on June 22nd 



