September i, 1888.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
209 
THROUGH MATALE EAST AND LAGGALA. 
Tea; Tobacco ; Fruit; Cotton. 
( Continued.) 
The Valley of Matalo may be said to commence 
about the Ukuwala station on the railway line 
and to extend some twenty miles onwards to Kawdu- 
pelella, growing wider ns the capital is left be- 
hind. The cultivation throughout the length and 
breadth of this valley is more varied and 
interesting than can perhaps be seen within any 
other similar area in Ceylon. Long famous for its 
well. watered rice-fields, presenting just now in 
their vivid green and long-extended reaches some 
of the most charming pictures possible, as seen from 
the hill-sides ; famous also for its fruit and vegetable 
gardens — such delicious plantains and loquats we have 
nowhere else tasted, — there arc besides flourish- 
ing groves of the coconut palm moro ex- 
tensive and richer bearing than any to be 
found between Polgahawela and Batticaloa. Then we 
have some of the best and most extensivo cacao-walks 
in Ceylon, anil if tho old staple 1 coffee ' is fast 
disappearing (though not a fow nativo gardens still 
flourish) tea promises to more than make up 
the deficiency. In addition we have fields covered 
with the Annattodye shrub : groves of areca 
palm cultivated by European planters as well 
as natives ; rich and promising expanses of tobacco 
and a dozen or moro of other minor products up 
and down the Valley all diversifying tho prospect 
and adding to the interest of the visitor. Apart 
from its proximity to Peradeniya, there is no 
need for an Experimental Garden in Matale for 
the very good reason that the whole Valley may 
be said to be tho scene of experimental as 
well as proved cultivation, with new and old 
products. Ukuwala station already referred to, as 
we enter the Valley, is likely to be the centre of a 
very important tea industry on comparatively 
virgin (that is chena) land. Accompanying a 
couple of Missionaries on a visit of inspection, 
I got out here and, walking along the line for 
somo distance, was able to mark several miniature 
" Mariawattes " most promising so far as soil and 
undulating almost Hat lay of land went, the only 
drawback apparent being want of rain. Of course 
all the country suffers at this time, but even in 
normal seasons the Matale Valley (with its 75 to 
80 inches) is scarcely bo well provided as that of 
Gampola, where Mariawatte gets an average of 
over 100 inches. Feradeniya tea estate will have 
the same climate prob.ibly as the Ukuwala group 
and as the still finer Bandarapola tea estate close to 
Matale town. At Ukuwala, the pioneers include Messrs. 
T. C. Owen (and partners), J. H. Barber, Kens, &o.; 
while higher up and nearer Wattegama, such fine old 
places as the Pendleton-Malvern group are doing 
famously well in tea. Our inspection of the 
Mission school not far from Ukuwala was exceed- 
ingly satisfactory : I could not havo believed so 
many healthy-looking boys could bo got together 
in one school in that quiet placo : some 80 on 
tho roll and 50 or 110 in regular attendance, ar.d 
the examination of different classcB showed good 
intelligent working. This is connected with the 
Matale division of the Baptist Mission under Mr. 
Lapham's care, another good school being situated 
in tho village of Kattota. Entering Matalo from 
Ukuwala wo came on tho farfamed cacao and coffee 
fields of Wariapolla, which present as healthy and 
vigorous an appearance as any in tho island. Far 
more attraotivo ami refreshing than either tea or 
coffeu lields cultivated in tho open, aro tho shaded 
cacao walks with their lino lurgo bushes la ten with 
fruit — scarlot, pink or white— surmounted by tho 
umbrageous ErythritUt fndica or Ceairt rubber 
trees, which afford a aenBo of coolness oven 
27 
n the hottest hours of the day. We need not 
allude to the historical interest atiaching to Waria- 
polla, or the unique planting prosperity attending 
the cultivation of tho sister property of Kanda- 
newara, from which in the palmy coffee days as 
much as £13,000 clear profit has been made 
in a single year. Tea is never likely to yield 
such returns, but it is certain to be remunerative 
on a uniformly well-cared-for property like the 
one under notice ; and Matale is fortunate to have in 
the resident " laird" a gentleman of so much intelli- 
gence, enterprise and public spirit as Mr. R. S. Fraser. 
Though my visit and inspection took place after 
my return from Laggala, I may here allude to the 
true "Mariawatte" of the Matalo district, in the 
new Bandahapolla tea property created by tho 
unwearied industry and pluck of Mr. Hugh 
Fraser. For nine long years was this gentleman 
engaged in enquiries, negotiations and buying up 
the various allotments of native property, chiefly 
chena land, which put together (with the old 
Godapola places) make up the 930 acres now 
comprising Bandarapolla. After all had been 
signed, sealed and paid for, Mr. Fraser's titledeecls 
and connected papers formed a mass quite equal 
to an ordinary cooly load; and then to " mak 
siccar," he very wisely had all passed through the 
Government Kachcheri, a connected official survey 
made, and the whole entered in one transfer bearing 
the ollicial stamp. The contribution in stamps to 
the revenue for Bandarapola deeds must be 
something considerable. One thing is certain, — that 
no thief, even if he got possession, could easily 
run away with the enormous volume of which we 
had a glimpse. It will be remembered that a 
half share of Bandarapolla was sold for 1160,000 
cash to the late Mr. A. H, Murray- Menzies, a few 
months before his deceaso, and a good bargain we 
consider was made at that price with 300 acres under 
tea reaching up to five years old, and such tea .' It 
was like taking a stroll in a newly laid out 
English garden to walk round the knolls and 
note the successive fields of Bandarapolla, after 
the ups and downs and almost break-neck paths 
of Laggala. The roads are cut so as eventually 
to be rendered fit either for cart or tramway, and 
most of the tea is planted on undulating flats, 
in which well selected jats, including a good deal 
of indigenous, luxuriate. At one end of the 
property we came on a field of tobacco, tho plants 
(looking like young cabbages) alternately with the 
young tea which, as the crop is likely to bo 
gathered a few months hence, they arc not expected 
to injure. Some of the tobacco (Havana seed 
got from Peradeniya) plants intended for seed- 
bearers show a magnificent growth for the time 
they have been in the ground. Eain and rain 
alono was wanted to give a finish to the picture 
of verdure and vigorous growth which surrounded 
us on Bandarapolla, and we do not think, with 
an average of 80 inches pretty fairly distributed, 
that as a rulo the lucky proprietors have much 
to fear. But one very important addition to this 
land, secured by Mr. Fraser from the villagers 
and temple representatives, is the right to a 
water supply which, after doing its duty by paddy- 
fields farther up, ran pretty well to waste. There 
was diflioulty of courso in arranging for this, 
and some native objectors carried their pleas to 
Government. An enquiry was ordered with tho 
result that Mr. Fraser was specially thanked (in 
place of being censured) for tho benefit he had 
conferred on the native oullivulurs by blasting out 
and improving the watercourse between tho river 
and tho ricellelds in order to increaso his own 
wator supply. This water is, of course, primarily 
required on Bandarapolla to fill a dam ami supply 
