68 
Supplement to the " Tropical Agriculturist." [July 2, 1900, 
The following table giving the analysis of the 
morning and evening milk producer! on tlie farm 
is worthy of note for purposes of comparison, 
and as showing how the composition and specific 
gravity of milk varies in different seasons : — 
Morning. Evening. 
1 
Fat 
-a ^ 
U2 o 
— o 
in 
;£ 
o a 
m 
m 
February 
4-25 
8-97 
1028 
4-28 
8-51 
1027 
March 
3-57 
8-74 
1028 
4-66 
8-91 
1027 
April 
3-16 
8-97 
1030 
4-64 
8-7o 
102G 
May 
4-15 
8-81 
1027 
4-72 
8-78 
1026 
June 
3-99 
8-87 
1029 
4-20 
8-91 
]028 
July 
3-iO 
9-02 
1030 
4-04 
9-05 
1029 
August 
3-69 
9-38 
1029 
4-20 
9-24 
1029 
September 
4-10 
9-76 
1029 
4- 
9-09 
1029 
October 
3-91 
9-65 
1030 
4-88 
11-29 
1027 
November 3'9i 
9-33 
1029 
4-22 
9 •52 
1029 
December 
3-65 
9-40 
1029 
4-93 
9-33 
1026 
THE DYEIKG OF MATERIALS USED FOK 
KALUTARA BASKET MAKING. 
The following communication addressed by 
the Secretary of the local Paris Exhibition 
Committee to the representative of the Ceylon 
Government at Paris is v^orth reproducing as 
dealing with the development of an industry, 
the products of which are becoming very 
popular. The Assistant Government Agent of 
Kalutara and Mrs. Vigors are deserving of the 
gratitude of the basket-makers of Kalutara for 
the interest they are taking in the improvement 
of the industry associated with their district : — 
" I am instructed by the Chairman of tlie 
local Paris Exhibition Committee to forward a 
bundle of dried leaves of the wild date {Phmnii: 
zeylanicci) used for basket-making in the Kalu- 
tara district, and to a^k you to be good enough 
to make enquiries as to the possibility of fix- 
ing permanent colours in such material. I 
•would refer to the many artistic shades used 
iu dyeing straw for hats and bonnets in Europe, 
and how little, if at all, the colour is affected by 
light, whereas the imported dyes now used iu 
dyeing the material for local baskets and mats fade 
rapidly. In the correspondence with reference 
to the use of dyes carried on by the Assistant 
GovernmeDt Agent, Kalutara, with his headmen, 
it is stated that though imported dyes (as sold 
in the village bazaars) produce more brilliaut 
colours, these colours are not so durable as those 
produced by native methods of dyeing. From 
enquiries made the following appear to be the ic- 
digenous dye stuffs used by the natives for dyeing 
the materials for making baskets, mats, and hats. 
1. Pathangi, from tlie wood of Gaesalpinia 
sapan (red). 
2. Marithondi, from the fruits of Laivsonia 
alba (orange yellow). 
3. Welikuha from the leaves of Memecyloit 
capilellaLum (yellow). 
A black colour is induced by first dyeing 
led with If theu burying the dyed jnaterini 
iu mud for a period, next steeping it in a 
mixture of water and the ash of burnt i^lantain 
leaves (Musa sapientum'), and finally washing 
and dyeing! I enclose specimens of llie leaves 
dyed according to the native method as well 
as by means of the imported dyes referred to. 
The people are taking to tlie latter owing to 
the simpler treatment they involve, as compared 
with tlie comp-aratively laborious native processes. 
It is surmised by the Assistant Government j\gent 
of Kalutara that the imported bazaar dyes now 
used arc of an inferior description, and tliat it 
would he pos.silile to introduce into the colony 
superior dyes such as are used for colouring 
straws in Europe. As the basket industry of 
the Kalutara district is one of some importance, 
the Ch-iirrann will be glad to Iiear from you 
with reference to tlie desired improvement in 
the matter of dyeing the material used." 
PREVENIION OF RINDERPEST] 
Rules to he observed when the Disease has bvohen 
out in or near the District. 
The following directions for the prevention and 
suppression of rinderpest are si)eciaily drawn up 
for the benefit of owners of large cattle establish- 
ments on estates : — 
1. The method for the prevention of rinderpest 
can be summed up in the words "Keep out all 
sources of infection and contagion." 
2. Cart bulls might bring the contagion witli 
them and introduce the disease. They should 
therefore be housed separately, and as far away 
as possible from the dairy and other cattle on the 
estate. 
3. Carters are careless about the safety of 
their masters' cattle, and they often house the 
cart bulls in infected galas on the way regard- 
less of consequences. Every effort shoubi be 
made to prevent this by putting up extra tem- 
porary galas for healthy cattle and exercising 
strict supervision and control iu the matter. 
Infected galas should be closed for healthy cattle 
and notices put up to the effect. 
4. If cart bulls have of necessity to frequent 
infected localities, it would be advisable to have 
them inoculated with glycerinated bile and keep 
them strictly isolated and under observation for 
ten days, after which period they may be used 
in cart*. 
5. Inoculated cattle and those that have pre- 
viously recovered from an attack of rinderpest, 
although they may be proof to the disease them- 
selves, may yet convey it to other cattle on their 
return from an infected area. So they should be 
housed separately on their return. 
C. Men, dogs, crows— in fact, anything that 
has been in contact with rinderpest cattle, their 
discharges or excreta — should be considered 
sources of infection. The carting of manure from 
au infected locality to the estate should also be 
avoided. 
7. Ten to fifteen drops of Jeyes' fluid may be 
given daily to healthy cattle with poonac water 
or conjee as an aid to prevention. After giving 
it for three or four days the Jeyes' fluid should 
be discoQtimied foe a coupla of days and tbea 
