May 1907] 



337 



Ceylon Rice in the West Indies.— A report has been received from Demerara 

 on the results of experiments made with Ceylou varieties of paddy. This will be 

 published iu the Society's Magazine for general information ; but it is to be gathered 

 from the report that none of the varieties imported can be recommended as 

 substitutes for local varieties. 



Kiushu Paddy .—The Ratemahatmaya of Walapane reports that he was 

 successful in getting seven bushels of paddy from half a bushel sown. The Rate- 

 mahatmayas of Uda Hewaheta and Kotmale, and President of Village Tribunal, 

 Uda Hewaheta, report failure iu their districts, and they seem to think that the 

 local conditions are not suitable for this variety. 



A piculture.— Mr. M. Shanks, writing on the 8th April, says :— "The honey is 

 just beginning to come in. I have one hive on scales ; yesterday I sat down beside 

 it and watched the weight going up ; from 8 a.m. till noon they gathered exactly 

 one pound. I have other hives doing better, but they are not on scales," 



Castration of Cattle. — The Acting Government Veterinary Surgeon reports : 

 — " I have the honour to inform you that five demonstrations were given during 

 March and the latter part of February last, at which 48 head of cattle belonging 

 to 38 owners were operated upon, and three men trained. Two of these demon- 

 strations were held in Kegalla in the Province of Sabaragamuwa, where 14 head of 

 cattle were operated upon ; 2 were held in Nuwara Eliya District, 20 cattle operated 

 upon ; 1 in Wellawaya, 14 cattle operated upon. Demonstrations have been 

 arranged for iu the North- Western, Northern, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, and 

 Southern Provinces. An extensive programme for castration of cattle, both by 

 Stock Inspectors and the locally trained men, has been drawn out for the North- 

 Western Province." 



The total number of cattle operated upon this year up to end of April is 

 56 belonging to 40 owners, and three men have been trained. 



Publications.— Mv. A. E. Rajapakse, Mudaliyar, Katunayaka, has subscribed 

 for 25 copies of the " Govikam Saugarawa," to be distributed among the villagers 



Fertilizers for Experimental Purposes.— The artificial fertilizers distributed 

 by Messrs. Freudenberg & Co. among members of the Society for experimenta 

 purposes during last year amounted to 75 cwts. representing a cost of Rs. 296.13. 

 The fertilizers were given by the firm free of charge. 



Agricultural Shoios.—The following are the fixtures under this head :— 

 Telijjawila ... ... ... ... May 15 and 16 



Welimada ... ... ... ... May 



Matale ... ... ... ... June21and22 



Colombo ... ... ... ... June 



Kegalla ... ... ... ... June 28 and 29 



Dumbara ... ... ... August 



Katana ... ... ... ... November 



Mullaittivu ... ... ... ... Empire Day 



C. DRIEBERG1 



May 6th, 1907. Secretary, Ceylon Agricultural Society 



