I 



Mat 1907.] 335 



Agricultural Society Progress Report. No. XXX. 



Membership— Since the last meeting the following (members have joined the 

 Society :— W. M. Wade Gery, W. L. Fernando, W. G. Fernando, W. Elaris Fernando, 

 W. Timothy Fernando, aud G. B. Bewley. The following Branch Societies have 

 been established and will shortly be affiliated to the Parent Society :— Wanni hat- 

 pattu, Ambalanwatta. 



Branch Societies.— Mr. N. Wickremeratne, Agricultural Instructor, who lately 

 visited Ambalangoda to investigate the causes of reported failure on a rubber plant- 

 ation there took the opportunity to convene a meeting at Ambalanwatta, with the 

 aid of Mr. H. Napier Dias, planter, on the 19th April, when a committee was formed 

 to carry out details in regard to the formation of a Branch Society at Ambalan- 

 watta, a district close to Galle. Mr. Napier Dias acts as Secretary pro tern. 



At a meeting of the Wanni Hatpattu Branch, held on the 12th January, a 

 resolution was adopted to the effect that tobacco cultivation be taken up on a large 

 scale so as to make it the staple product of the pattu ; it was also agreed that 

 influential members of the Branch Society should make every effort to give cotton 

 cultivation a fair trial in order to find out the suitability of the crop to the district, 

 and whether it could be remuneratively grown. 



The Katana Branch held a meeting on the 5th April, at which it was decided 

 to hold an Agri-Horticultural Show in November next. As the Katana district 

 proper is of limited extent, it was agreed to add Otara West and Godakaha Vidane 

 divisions to the area from which exhibits will be drawn. 



A suggestion has been made by the Secretary of the Negombo Society that 

 the Katana and Negombo branches should be amalgamated, but the matter has not 

 yet come before a meeting. 



The Trincomalee Society held a Market Fair on the 2nd April which was a 

 great success. 



The Organizing Vice-President and the Secretary met the members of the 

 Batticaloaand Badulla Branch Societies on their recent visit in connection with the 

 cyclonic disaster in the Eastern Province. At a meeting convened by the local 

 Secretary at Batticaloa on the 22nd April, the Chairman (Mr. Hopkins, Government 

 Agent) presided, and there was a fair attendance. Addresses were given both by 

 the Organizing Vice-President and the Secretary. There seemed to be a general 

 wish that an experimental garden should be established in Batticaloa, and the matter 

 will be taken up before long. 



The Agri-Horticultural Show at Badulla was well organized, and all exhibit- 

 ing sections were well filled. It was formally opened by His Excellency the Governor 

 at 4 p.m. on the 26th April and continued on the 27th. The Society offered two 

 prizes of Rs. 25 each for the best native bull and best native cow. Dr. Willis addressed 

 a gathering on the Show grounds on the 27th April. 



The Organizing Vice-President and the Secretary intend starting on a tour 

 of inspection in the Northern Province. Opportunity will be taken during the visit 

 to convene meetings of Branch Societies at Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, Anurad- 

 hapura, Kurunegala, and Kegalla. 



The Central Agency.— It has been decided to hold an experimental sale of 

 produce in Colombo on the 28th instant and a sale of cattle on the 31st, Mr. A. Y. 

 Daniel acting as agent in Colombo. The sale of produce will probably be held on a 

 spot close to the Municipal Market in the Price Park. The sale will include any kind 

 of produce sent by Branch Societies and members who desire to try the Colombo 

 market* 



