260 



[April 1907. 



NUWARA ELIYA AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 

 April 2nd and 3rd, 1907. 



Report on Class IX— Native Products. 



Native fruits were on the whole poor, due chiefly to the fact, I take it, that 

 they were not in season. Vegetables were much better — Pumpkins and Brinjals 

 being particularly good. The five specimens of chillies and capsicums exhibited by 

 Mr. Farr deserve special mention. The Dry Grains (Kurakkan, Indian corn, Ulundu, 

 Kollu and Gingelly) were very well represented. Coconuts were not up to standard, 

 but the bunches of Arecanuts were noticeable. 



Nothing was shown under Curry-stuff, and this only proves how little 

 attention is paid to the cultivation of these necessaries, so largely imported from 

 India. The exhibits of Cram and other Pulses were particularly good. Paddy was 

 not well represented , and the prize offered by the Ceylon Agricultural Society 

 (Rs. 25) for the best collection was awarded with considerable diffidence. A similar 

 prize for best collection of Native Vegetables was reduced to Rs. 10. . The rest of the 

 Exhibits in this class were considerably below standard, and a number of prizes had 

 to be withheld. The largest and most successful exhibitor in the class was the 

 R. M. of Walapana. A specially interesting exhibit, which must not be passed over, 

 was that prepared by Mr. J. F. Jowitt, of 'Craig,' Bandaiawela. This consisted 

 (a) of a case of the seeds of edible Graminete, (b) microscopic slides of the same, and 

 (c) panels containing mounted specimens of the grasses themselves. The materials 

 for the exhibits were procured by me with the help of Mr. J. N. Sangrasagra (Manikar 

 of Delft), and the teacher of Gallagama Government School. Mr. Jowitt's exhibits was 

 offered to and accepted by the Curator of the R. B. G,, on behalf of the Director for 

 the Economic Museum at Peradeniya. Such an exhibit should prove very acceptable, 

 I should think, to the Imperial Institute. Kurakkan {dlleusine coracana), Amu 

 (Paspalum scrobiculatum), and Mineri (Panicum miliaceum) are in local repute as 

 diabetic diets, and Mr. Jowitt has kindly consented to prepare a series of the 

 different varieties of these grains for a Colombo medical man who expects to take 

 part in the discussion on the subject of diabetic diets which is coming up at the next 

 meeting of the British Medical Association. 



C. DRIEBERG, 



Secretary, Ceylon Agricultural Society. 



Report on Live Stock. 



The horses and poultry were well represented at the Show. Other live 

 stock, including cattle, sheep and pigs, were not so well represented as last year. 

 One reason for this was that Great Western Estate, which used to exhibit a good 

 number of fine English and Australian cattle during previous years, did not exhibit 

 any this time. There were only twenty-one head of these other live stock exhibited, 

 of which ten were English and Australian cattle, one Indian, three native, two cross 

 bred Indian cattle, four sheep and one sow. 



The entrance fee for cattle owned by villagers has been reduced this year 

 from Rs. 2-50 to one rupee, so as to induce them to exhibit their cattle and compete 

 for prizes, but it is a matter for regret that this has not had the desired effect. One 

 reason of this may be found in the fact that Nuwara Eliya is not a suitable centre 

 for attracting native villagers, the distance and the climate being rather uninviting 

 to them. However, if the Kandyan chiefs and headmen use their influence, they 

 will be able to induce the villagers to take a lively interest in the exhibition of their 

 cattle and agricultural products. 



E. T. HOOLE, 

 Acting Govt. Veterinary Surgeon 



Colombo, 6th April 1907. 



