.Tak. 1, 1903. J 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTUtllSt 
503 
Later still I came across a statement emanating 
from a well-known German fishery expert to the 
effect that the larva of Chironomus (the genus to 
which the Lake Kly belongs) is a favourite morsel 
with ihH carps. Oae of the coramonesc fishes of 
the Colombo Lake is a carp called Barbus dorsalis, 
and there are others wiih similar tastes.— Yours 
faithfulir, 
ARTHUR WILLEY. 
THEOUGH RANGAi^A AND MEDAMAHA- 
NUWARA : 
ALL ABOUT CARDAMOMS. 
Jan. 2. 
Sir,— A few notes of a trip through the less- 
frequented district lying to the east of Kandy 
and bordering on the great ' Never-Never ' country 
of Ceylon, which extends from the foot of the 
Walapane ranges across Bintenna to the Coast 
near Batticaloa, may possibly prove of some 
interest to your readers. Owing to the nbsence 
of railway or otiier facilities it is as yet quite 
out of the beaten track ; although the enterprise 
of the 
BANOALA AND MEDAMAHANUWARA 
planters, who, in spite of transport difficulties, 
carry on their industrial occupation and wage 
persevering warfare against the elements whicli 
here oppose their sterner and more unpropitious 
phases, is deserving of a larger share of re- 
cognition and encouragement tlian it appears to 
have yet met with from the ' powers.tliat-be.' My 
own recollection of the district goes back to very 
nearly forty years, and so far as tha means of 
transport ai e concerned matters seem to be very 
much in statu quo. It would look as if the Ceylon 
Government, al irmed at the too rapid exploitation 
of places of interest all over the globe, had 
determined that here at least a sanctuary should 
be reserved where the ubiquitous globe-trotter 
should not penetrate, or if he did, that it should 
be only by means of the antiquated gharry-wallah 
and the exacting resthouse keeper. It struck me, 
however, that in this corner of our ' undeveloped 
estate' a good deal might be done to bring its 
attractions to the notice of the tourist. A look 
through the visitors' book at the Teldeniya rest- 
h use showed that a few travellers had come 
this way ; and their remarks were indicative of 
pie isure anil satisfaction. The expense of carriage- 
hire and the discomfort of a slow jaurney through 
the hot Dumbara Valley must, however, to a 
large extent, discount the pleasure received and 
it is not likely this route will be favoured until 
cheaper and easier means of access are available. 
The drive out to Teldeniya along the banks of 
the Mahaweliganga is picturesque and interesting; 
and the crossing the ferry at Gonawatte and 
drive through the Pallikelle and Rajawala 
COCOA GROVES, 
with peeps of the hill range-< in the distance, and 
then arrival at the prer.ty little resthouse with 
a ijooii appetite for breakfast, and a chat with 
thp worthy dame who a- tends to one's comfort 
and provides an excellent breakfast — all go to 
make things agreeable Bub this is but a stage 
on the j'Miruey. Tlie ascent towards the hills 
now begins, and a real tug of-war it is, both for 
man and beast.* The scenery, too, alters ia 
- * We made the trip up and down in Ma,roh, 1864. 
-Ed. T.A. 
character, and as one rises above the river valley, 
the hills become more rugged and abrupt. The 
road winds up through narrow gorges, and pre- 
sently another village, — 
URUGALLA 
— is reached. It boasts of a Court-house and 
Police station and a few bazaars ; but the general 
aspect of the place gives one the impression that 
it ought not to be there. Three miles Uj) the 
road there is a gap in the range, ami that is 
where one would nai unilly expect lo find a small 
centre, and there ought to be a resthouse ; as it is 
here that a really grand view is obtained of the 
country on both sides of the monntain range. Not 
far from here the Mahaweliganga bursts through 
the circumvallation of hills, which has hitherto 
confined its course and debouches into the flatter 
country through which it meanders to its outlet at 
Triiiconialee. The hills rise so sharply on both 
sides as to form almost a perfect wall, and here 
and there tlieir summits are broken into batll?; 
ments andemhrasures having all the apfiearance of 
Titanic fortifications. The rock-capped peak of 
NUGATENNA 
frowns imposingly across the gateway towards his 
fellovz-sentinels, Hangurankela and Madulsima. 
challenging the intruder, be he Imman power 
or mightier foe, battalion or storm. The road 
now .divides and a branch goes off hugging the 
base of the scarped cliffs in the direction oi the 
Nitre Cave district, while the other tends toward.s 
the park country of Bintenna, a favourite resr>rt of 
sportsmen, being now made a little more acce^sible 
through the gradual extension of the cart-road. 
Some thriving villages here nestle among the 
villages and ravines ; but the cultivation) is 
limited, owing to the comparative dryness 
of the climate. At the time of our visit, how- 
ever, all was green and smiling, giving occasion 
for surprise at the apparent Bparseness of popula- 
tion; but this may be due partly to the want of 
better means of communication with the outer 
world. As a grazing district this would give the im- 
pression of having a future before it ; as at certain 
seasons there is an abundant rainfall, which, by 
means of small tanks, might be conserved for the 
benefit of both human population and stock. Our 
visit, however, was chiefly to the regim of 
CARDAMOM CULTIVATION 
and we were agreeably surprised and delighted 
to find such fine groves, gaidens or plantations, — 
I don't know how they are usually denominated — 
flourishing luxuriantly, and bearing such crops 
as it was refreshing to one's eyesight to see. 
Around us were the relics of a bygone regime 
when King Coff'ee held sway and the ruins of 
old stores, pulping-houses and bungalows recalled 
to memory the names of many a friend and fellow- 
planter gone to join the majority ; and a touch of 
sadness could not but steal over us and we felt like 
" One who treads 
Some barqnet hall deserted. 
When liehts aie low, and guests are fl*d, 
/ nd all but one departed." 
Reverie is not ont of pl.ice in a seen- such as 
we have here; but the age is too busy for any 
such indulgence, and our moito is ra'her 
"Let the df«1 past bury its d«ad 
Work, work in the liTmg present; 
Heart witbin aud Gcd o'eibead." 
So mote it be ! 
