718 
Supplemeiit to the " Tropical Agricv.Uuriit." [April 1, 1903. 
to be derived from true Agriculture. I have also 
recommended teachers to try and induce the 
parents of children to come and see the results 
for themselves which will do more, I think, than 
anything else, to make them believe iu the benefits 
to be derived from the proper training of this 
most important subject, and cause its more rapid 
spread and adoption amongst the labouring part 
of the community ; and this I am glad to say has 
already commenced, as some of the parents of 
the children attending 5th Company, 6th 
Company, and Neckchuddy Road E.G. Schools, 
have been to the teachers asking for information 
as to the methods used to grow the fine vegetables 
obtained at these scools. 
The chief faults in the school gardens are : — 
(1) Overcrowding, and mixing of different 
plants, which renders 'rotation of crops' impos- 
sible. 
(2) Planting only with a view to get as much 
as possible out of the land, without any regard to 
exljaustion of the soil, and without experiments. 
. (3) Insufficient use of green manure. 
(4) Want of compost heaps. 
(5) lusuffieient mulching during the drying 
season. 
In order to remedy these mistakes, I am ad- 
vising the teachers : — 
(1) To set aside a plot for each kind of 
vegetable, and plant at regular distances. 
(2) To set aside a portion of each plot for 
experiments, 
(3) To bury in each plot as much as they 
can of the plant refuse. 
(4) To form compost heaps of any surplus 
vegetable refuse, weeds and grass. 
(5) Always to mulch as far as possible in the 
dry season. 
I have been careful to inform teachers that 
it is not the look of the garden on the day of 
examination for which the award is given, but for 
thie general work during the year. 
On the whole I am say that, I think the 
outlook for practical agriculture in this district 
is very promising, and if an instructor could visit 
the different schools two or three times a year, 
and take practical work, as well as give lectures, 
the results would be marked, as I have no dould 
that after a time some of the more intelligent 
adults would also attend sometimes, more especi- 
ally if the subjects of the lectures were known 
beforehand. 
I am sorry to say that the parents of pupils 
attending Russillac C.M.I. School have refused to 
allow their children to work in the school garden, 
and have threatened to take them away if they 
are compelled t o do so. In consequence practical 
agriculture has ceased to to be taught at this 
school. 
VETERINARY NOTES. 
Still another cure for tape-worm is powdered 
kamala. Tliia is a dark ochre-coloured powder, 
consisting of minute glands and hairs obtained 
from the svyface of the fruits of Mallotus phi- 
fipimn^is. It may be given in a littl* milk or 
water, or as pills made with flour and water. 
Being very light it is difficult to mix it nicely 
with water. The dose for a lamb or kid is a 
teaspoonful heaped ; calves twice that quantity ; 
dogs half to a iull teaspoon according to size 
and age. 
Mallotus Philppinensis is an Euphorbiaceous 
plant called in Sinhalese Himparilln. It was 
formerly known as Rottlera tinctoria. Trimen 
mentions that the powder of the seeds is used 
as an anthelmintic in eases of tape-worm 
and as a cure for itch. The bark is used for 
tanning, ar.d the capsule yield a dye giving a 
permanent rich flame colour. 
The following treatment for foot-and-mouth 
disease is taken from " Diseases of Stock and 
their Treatment " (Cape of Good Hope, Depart- 
ment of Agriculture) : In the first stage, the 
internal administration of Epsom salts, one 
pound in three quart-bottles of water ; followed 
by Epsom salts 1 oz,, Hyposulphite of Soda 
f oz., Chlorate or Mtrate of Potash 2 drs., 
given iu drinking water for a few days. For 
a mouth wash : Carbolic acid 1 dr., vinegar 1 
pint, water 1 pint, or borax 1 oz., alum 1 oz., 
water 1 quart. 
For the teats: Permanganate of potash 20 grs,, 
water 1 qt.; or tincture of myrrh 1 oz., glycerine 
10 oz. to be applied twice daily. 
For the feet, after khorough washing, and. 
whera necessary, poulticing, apply sulphuric acid 
1 oz, diluted with 4 oz. water to the abraised 
surface with a feather, and apply a bandage 
previously well soaked iu Stockholm or Archangel 
tar, 
An epidemic, recognised to be Indian "Surra" 
has been causing great mortality (estimated at 
from 75 to 80 per cent) among horses, mule?, 
and oxen in the Mauritius, and as a result the 
cultivation of sugarcane has been seriously in- 
terfered with. The local Government has, it is 
reported, decided to apply for the services of 
Dr. Edington from the Cape of Good Hope, 
Owing to the prevalence of Lathyrism in the 
Central Provinces of India, Major Buchanan, 
I.M.s. and Mr. Stockton, m.e.c.v.s., late Pro- 
fessor of Pathology in Edinburgh Veterinary 
School have been appointed to enquire into the 
cause and prevention of the disease. The malady 
is regarded as arising from the consumption of 
large quantities of the food grain known as 
Lathyrns sativus or teora, when not prepared in 
such a way as to eliminate the poisonous prin- 
ciple which it is believed to contain. 
The following will give an idea of the disease : 
To begin with there is a feeling of weakness 
and droi\8iness, with pains in legs and occasional 
cramps in the calves. Suddenly the patient falls, 
and being unable to rise, is confined to bed for a 
mouth or two. This is due to the paralysis 
of the lower extremities. The attempt to stand 
brings on spasms iu the legs. There is also rigidity 
