330 



[May 190?. 



Veil,— Can be made of of mosquito-netting, dyed black. If left white, 



the reflection of the light on the white threads dazzles the eyes. It should go over 

 the hat and the other end be tucked inside the coat. 



Gloves should not be worn. They only make you clumsy, and if one bee 

 stings, they hold the scent of the poison, which infuriates the others. If, however, 

 it is judged advisable to wear them foe some special operation, an ordinary pair can 

 be used, and the sleeves tied round the wrists with a piece of string to make every- 

 thing bee-tight. 



(To be continued.) 



Correspondence. 



THE AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE IN CEYLON. 



A RECENT INTRODUCTION. 



Sir,— Having turned loose the Australian Magpies I imported last year, may 

 I appeal, through your paper, to the various branch Agricultural Societies in Ceylon 

 to notify the headmen and others in their districts that these birds shall not be 

 molested in any way. At present they are keeping about in this part ; but I expect 

 when the S. W. Monsoon breaks, they will move down into Uva. 



The birds are easily recognizable, being rather smaller than the Ceylon 

 Crow Avith plumage of black and white— or rather, black and silver. They have two 

 notes — a harsh caw and a plaintive and melodious warble. The latter note may be 

 heard almost any sunny morning by persons passing this house. 



As these birds are extremely helpful to agriculture, devouring insect pests 

 in great quantities, it will be useful if anyone, noticing their presence in other parts 

 of Ceylon, will inform the Agricultural Society as to date and locality. Then, if 

 we find that they are increasing, we can import and turn loose a further con- 

 signment. 



They will not eat vegetable food in any form ; so that, if seen hopping about 

 in gardens, they should not be driven away, as they will be clearing the garden of 

 grubs. In view of this, I trust everyone will recognize that it is to his personal 

 advantage to protect them in every way. 



I am, &c. 



H. CAMPBELL. 



Yalta, Nuwara Eliya, 25th March, 1907. 



TEPHROSIA AS A GREEN MANURE. 



Dear Sir, — The weed Tephrosia purpurea, Sinhalese pila, Tamil (N, P.) 

 Kdvildy, is considered by the people of the Jaffna Peninsula to be an excellent green 

 manure for tobacco. I am asked by one of them whether it would not do for tea 

 as well. It is a very common weed, and one of its peculiarities is that it grows 

 in the moist as well as in the dry regions. But in the former no use appears to 

 be made of it as manure, whereas in Jaffna it is in great demand for this purpose. 



J. P. LEWIS. 



Kandy, 23rd March, 1907. 



[It is one of the Leguminosae, and so will add nitrogen like Crotalaria. — Ed.] 



USES OP " MUD-KILAVAI." 

 Dear Sir,— To mention one more use of the Mud-kilavai (Balsomodendrum 

 Berryi), I have seen carved figures representing different Tamil types or castes 

 made out of the wood, which is apparently fitted for this sort of work. They were 

 sent to the St. Louis Exhibition, 



J. P. LEWIS, 



Kandy, 23rd March, 1907, 



