July 1, 1893.] Supplement to tlw " Tropical Agriculturist." 
69 
According to Prof. Henry of the Agricultura 
Experiment Station attached to the University 
of Wisconsin, ''tlie Babcock tester is used by 
several thonsand creameries and clieese factories 
whicli pay for the milk by tlie fat delivered, 
and on tlionsands of farms for testing cows and 
weeditig ont poor ones. It is revolutionizing 
American Agriculture." 
A FEW NOTES ON FODDER AND PASTURE 
LANDS IN CEYLON. 
The village farmer has not yet attained to that 
degree of advancement in agriculture, necessary 
to appreciate the advisability of growing any 
special fodder crops for cattle. Of the enormous 
quantity of fodoer required to keep cattle in 
condition he seems to be unaware. He does not 
take due care to raise fodder and only avails him- 
self of what falls in his way by chance. In 
European and other countries where agriculture 
is in a prosperous condition, it is customary to 
grow special crops for cattle, such us the clover, 
lucerne, &c. 
But, for the present, leaving alone the question 
of special crops for cattle, I wish to make a few 
remarks about the supply of fodder which is 
already at the disposal of the native cultivator, 
giving hints for improving it where possible. 
1. The straw of Paddy forms the staple fodder 
used in this country ; but care mu.st be taken 
as far as possible, not to allow the straw to get 
exposed to the continual action of the elements 
and thus lose a good deal of its nourishing pro- 
perties. Of course when it is stacked in the open 
fteld a certain amount of exposure cannot be helped, 
but it can be minimized by stacking the straw 
in a regular conical shape and placing a light 
portable umbrella-shaped ola cover called a 
Kudil at the top. The stubble left in the field 
after reaping the paddy is also available as fodder 
for the cattle for a few days. Just after the har- 
vest the animals, if allowed a free rnn in the fields, 
■will be found to become stouter and healthier. 
2. After the harvest the fields are allowed 
to lie fallow for about half the year. But 
nature, a " mother kind alike to all," converts the 
paddy-lield into a pasture-land in a short time, 
and until the next year's cultivation, the goiyas' 
black cattle and the buffaloes graze on it. Any 
one travelling upcountry by the train at this 
time of the year can form some idea of this 
transformation by looking at the paddy lands 
along the railway line. 
3. The rolling patuas and the fertile valleys 
of the hilly districts abound in grass ranging 
from the tall ' mana ' downwards, and supply 
food for the cattle. The European planters gen- 
erally grow fodder specially for their cattle, 
but the native cattle-owners graze their animals 
solely on the grass of the patnas and valleys. 
In the dry months they set fire to the mana 
bushes, and after the very next shower fresh 
shoots come up from the old stumps, and the 
scorched patnas are soon again decked in green. 
It is thus that most of tlie upcountry pasture- 
lands are renewed for the use of the cattle. 
The moist climate of the hills is highly conducive 
to the luxuriant growth of grass, and tlie dark, 
glossy and stout buffaloes which freely graze ou 
the slopes and valleys there, contrast very favour- 
ably with the gray, haggard and lean ones of thti 
low country. 
4. Even in the driest districts the trees afford 
a welcome shade to the growth of grass. It is 
a pity that our cattle owners do not care to take 
advantage of this easy method of growing grass 
in districts where all the grass in the open is 
parched up by prolonged drought. Tliey do not 
even care to keep the self-grown grass under trees 
clean of the weeds whicli choke it up. The lute 
Mr. R. 0. D. Asbury of Jaffna wrote thus in 
connection with growing grass under shade : — 
" What extensive and beautiful groves of palmy- 
rahs and coconuts we have in Jaffna that can at 
once be set apart for this purpose — their shade 
being a protection to some kinds of grass." 
! o. In some parts of the North it is too com- 
mon a custom to scrape out the grass in the 
i compounds with an instrument called the ulavdram 
j when it is required for feeding cattle. This is 
I v»ry injurious to the further growth of the grass 
; on the spot, as it is thus scraped up with the roots. 
It would be much better to mow or cut the grass, 
if it has grown tall enough, or otherwise to leave 
the cattle to graze on it. E. T. HOOLE. 
(To be continued.) 
THE ORANGE RUST MITE. 
Tlie rust-Hke appearance on the fruit of the 
orange tree is often thought to be due to a 
fungoid growth, but investigations have lately 
sliown that it is caused by a very small-legged 
mite, which punctures the oil cells of the fruit. 
I When exposed to the influence of the atmosphere 
I the exuding oil undergoes a change, assuming 
a dark rusty appearance, which depreciates the 
value of the fruit for the market. The mite 
which causes this discoloration is known as 
Thytoptua oleivoriis, and its life history and 
habits have been carefully investigated. It is said 
we do not know with what truth, that thougli 
' badly-rusted fruit is small, the quality is 
improved rather than deteriorated. The cause 
of this improvement is said to be that the 
toughened rind preserves it from injury and 
decay and prevents evaporation from within. 
A solution of 1 lb. of whale oil soap in 50 
galls, of water is highly recommended as a 
remedy ; but several applications at short in- 
ter^als are necessary. Flower of sulphur has 
also been put forward as one of the cheapest 
and most effective remedies, and it may be 
used in connection with the above mixture or 
other insecticides. Applications of insecticides 
should be made on the first appearance of the 
rust. Sulphur and washing soap has been 
reported to have done good when sprayed over 
the trees, while dusting with quicklime is also 
said to have produced favourable results. 
A VISIT TO THE POONA DAIRY F.VRM. 
Tile Poona Dairy herd when I visited the 
farm consisted of 42 he^d, being made up both 
of meat cattle and buffaloes. The following is 
Mr. Mollison's opinion ou his dairy stock :— 
" Aden cows are without exception the best 
milk breed of cowa we have yet tested. They 
