126 [Feb. 1907. 



Agricultural Society Progress Report. XXVII. 



Nev: Members.— The following new members; have joined the Society since 

 the last meeting :— Messrs. A. N". Cantlay, R. Doresamy, J. R. Watson, Alfred de S 

 Jayasundera, V. Vijeyeratnam, John Francis deSouza, C. Wallich. 



Branch Societies. — Following an inaugural meeting held on the 28th December, 

 1906, a Branch Society has been established at Rdyigam Korale. It is proposed to 

 start an experimental garden in connection with this Society, where experiments 

 will be made in the cultivation of varieties of fruit trees and vegetables new to the 

 district. The new Society has on its roll some 97 members, and Mr. J. A. Wirasingha, 

 Mndaliyar of the Korale, is interesting himself in the work. 



The Assistant Government Agent, Ralutara, suggests the formation of 

 Branches in the rural districts in each korale, where the main work should be the 

 opening of experimental gardens to instruct the local farmers, who are more likely, 

 as a class than townspeople, to take a practical interest in them. This proposal is 

 receiving the attention of the Board as*regaids the financial support necessary for 

 carrying out the project. 



The Telijjaivila Branch held a meeting on the 3rd January, when, amongst 

 other subjects, it Avas discussed whether, in view of the expense of erecting sheds 

 at Weligama for the proposed Show to be held in March next, it would not be 

 advisable to hold the Show in the sheds already erected at Telijjawila and the 

 money thus saved be more usefully spent. There being no railway station at 

 Telijjawila, some of the members were of opinion that visitors may be prevented 

 from attending, Discussion was deferred. 



It was agreed at this meeting to obtain only varieties of vegetable seeds for 

 which there is a local market for distribution in the 19 Vidane Arachchie's divisions 

 among competitors at the forthcoming Show. 



Transplanting in paddy cultivation. — Prizes were arranged, under the same 

 conditions as in the Show of March, 1906, for the best results obtained in transplant- 

 ing paddy. The amounts of the prizes remain the same as in previous year. 



At a meeting of the Harispatlu Agricultural Society, held on the 20th January 

 at Alawatugoda, a storekeeper was appointed to take charge of the seed store 

 established at Katugastota ; it was agreed to communicate with Mr. Palipane. R.M.' 

 with a view to leasing out a piece of land adjoining Ihalagastenna school, and that 

 the Koralas be requested to report on suitable sites for proposed experimental 

 gardens in Kalugammanasiya pattu, Udagampaha, Pallegampaha, and Medasiya 

 pattu. 



The subject of the proposed Show to be held under the auspices of the Branch 

 came up for discussion, when it was decided that the Society should take part in the 

 Kandy Show proposed to be held in 1908. Mr, W. D. Banda read a Paper on " Home 

 Gardens." 



The Three Korales and Lower Bulatgama Branch, at its quarterly meeting 

 held at the Ruwauwella Ambalam on the 26th January last, resolved upon leasing 

 two acres of land from a private owner in Ruwauwella, close to the cart road, for 

 the experimental garden, which will be planted with products new to the district 

 and vegetables, &c. Members owing land agreed to open private gardens at their own 

 expense. 



Vavuniya Forivarding Agency. — The Vavuniya Forwarding Agency sent 

 down a second consignment of ten black cattle and eight buffaloes on Friday, the 1st 



