622 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [March 2, 1903. 
h that the statistics published by the Associ- 
ation are restricted to those of exports. These 
are issued in a monthly statement, and include 
the shipments from Calcutta, Uhittagong, and 
Southern Indian ports. 
Finance. — The total planted area represented 
by the Association durinff the year was 359,206| 
acres, or an increase of 13,439^ acres on that of 
the previous year. The year's subscription at 
the rate of one anna per acre amounted to 
K22,398-H-3. The revenue account shows a surplus 
of K2, 808-6-9, which has been transferred to 
capital account. The balance in hand on the 31sb 
December 1902 amounted to 1138,177-10-3, less 
sundry liabilities amounting to R850-15 2. — LocK- 
HART Smith, Chairman, Calcutta, 31st January, 
1903, 
KANDY DISTRICTS PLANTERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 
ANNUAL KEPOET, 1902. 
Membeeship.— There are 45 votes enrolled on 
the Register against 51 last year, the decrease 
being mainly due to the formation of the Kurune- 
gala Association. 
Finance. — The financial position is satisfactory 
showing a credit balance Ii209'74. 
Tea.— The past season has been generally un- 
favourable both in yield and prices, though the 
returns during the last few months have improved 
matters somewhat on low-lying estates. The shot- 
hole borer appears to be on the increase. 
The estimates for 1903 are as follows : — Includ- 
ing 1,626 acres at 400 lb. per acre=650,4(,0 lb. 
Estimated for ten estates which have not sent 
their returns. 
Total acreage of Tea . . 12,780 
„ Bearing .. 12,391 
„ Crop ..5,004,0501b. 1 4501b. per 
,, Green Tea .. 684,800,, J acre. 
„ Native Leaf 555,000 „ 
Total acreage abandoned 
this year . . 203 ,, 
The figures of Green Tea are not, however, con- 
sidered very reliable. 
Cocoa. — Crops have been very good, but the 
continued wet weather prevented estates unpro- 
vided with artificial drying ai)paratus from curintr 
satisfactorily. 
Canker continues to do much damage and no 
really effectual remedy has so far been found. 
Estimates : — 
Total acreage ,.. 7,592 
Do ... 7,166 
Estimated crop 17,490 cv.'t. (2"44 cwt. per acre.) 
There are about 412 acres for which no estimates 
have been sent in. 
Cardamoms.— This industry has increased 
considerably of late, with the result that prices 
have fallen verj materially, and it is now pro- 
posed to raise a cess of 50 cents per acre with 
the object of obtaining funds to advertise and 
push the sale of the product. 
Labour. — Labour has been scarcer this year 
than it has been for some time past, and ad- 
vances are steadily moving upwards instead of 
being reduced, so that the Labour Federation 
has not been successful in accomplishing what 
was hoped from it. This Association con- 
siders that Mr. Westland's scheme for recruit- 
ing labour from the coast should be given 
% trial. 
Mr. Harry ^Ceeasy's proposed amendment 
of the Cooly Labour Ordinance has the same 
end in view of reducing advances, but as the 
Sub-Committee of the Labour Federation of 
the Parent Association deprecated further cooly 
legislation no further action is considered 
advisable. 
Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps.— The 
numbers of this Corps have increased during the 
past year, and the total is now 790 against.536 
previously. 
Cocoa-Stealing Legislation.— HisExcellency 
the Governor has stated that he is unwilling 
to take any action until another Commission is 
appointed to re-investigate the matter. This Asso- 
ciation would respectfully express its opinion 
that the cocoa planters have already made out a 
good case, and that their demand is a perfectly 
just and equitable one, and hope that Govern- 
ment will see its way to yield on the point. 
Tea Cess. — The present statistical position of 
the tea industry is more favourable than it has 
been forsome lime past, and the estimates of this 
season show a probably considerable decrease in 
the amount of tea to be put on the London market, 
due largely to the growth- of the green tea industry, 
and this Association is therefore of opinion that 
it would be inadvisable to do anything at this 
juncture to check the expansion of the 
green tea industrj', and therefore recommend the 
increase of the Cess as suggested by the Thirty 
Committee, on the understanding, however, that 
the Cess shall not be continued longer than really 
necessary to put the new industry on a sound foot- 
ing. This Association does not approve of the 
proposal that a petition be made for a Government 
grant. 
Thirty Committee.— This Association con- 
sider it is impossible for those outside the 
Committee and not thoroughly cognisant with 
all the details that have been discussed to pass 
reliable or accurate criticism on its working 
and decisions, and they therefore recommend 
that the best course is to elect the best men 
available and leave them a free hand. 
Kandy Hospital. — The Association considers 
that the medical staff of the Kandy Hospital 
does not meet the requirements of the district, 
and that a large staff should be maintained for 
so important a centre as Kandy. 
A vote of thanks is due to the Parent Associa- 
tion for allowing them the use of the rooms 
in the Victoria Commemoration Buildings during 
the past year, 
* ■ 
Are Melons Fruit ?— The other day a man 
was asked whether a melon is a fruit or a vege- 
table. This enquiry led to the further question 
as to what is the difference between fruits and 
vegetables, any way ? For the benefit of those 
who do not know, the statement is made that 
fruit is the part of a plant which contains the 
seed ; but the plant itself is a vegetable. Apples, 
berries, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, and the 
like are fruits ; cabbages, radishes, beets, greens, 
turnips, and the like are vegetables, because it is 
the plant that is eaten, and not merely the part 
which contains the seed.— Journal oftheDepart' 
meni of Agrindhire of Western Atistralia fox 
January. 
