862 
Supplement to the Tro'incal Agriculturist." [June 1, 1900. 
to say that the former is a direct result of fertili- 
zation, but that the two processes are contem- 
poraneous, and that possibly the ante-decents to 
the cousumation of the fertilizing act (polli- 
nation and the subsequent growth of the pollen 
grains) induce the development of the ovary or 
other floral structures to serve as protection for 
the seed or to attract the fruit-eating animal. 
If on the other hand we are to infer from the 
expression " whether the blossoms are fertilised 
or not," that it is possible for fruit to form 
without any contact of pollen and stigma then 
it would appear that pollen is a useless element 
in fruit production and, in fact, if the best types of 
fruits, viz., seedless fruits, are to be produced, 
we must endeavour to eliminate the male organ 
of flowers. But the absence of fruit (seedless or 
otherwise) on pistillate dioecious trees w liich are 
beyond the influence of their stamminate, con- 
geners goes to contradict tlie conclusion that pollen 
is immaterial to the development of fruit. We 
are here reminded of the advice of an authority on 
poultry who recommends that if poultry-farmers 
wish to produce the best eggs for the market they 
■should eliminate the male from the poultry yard. 
• The authority referred to argues that the influence 
, of the male is not necessary for the production 
, of eggs (no more than, according to the above 
article pollen is necessary for the production of 
■ fruit), but that it is necessary for the development 
• of the embryo (in the same way that the pollen 
is essential for the development of an embryo 
in the seed). Eggs without the embryo are said 
' to keep much better and taste better, just as 
fruit without seed are to be preferred to fruit 
with seed! So that it looks as though the male 
must be eliminated both in poultry farming for 
egg production, and also in fruit growing. We will 
not speculate further on the developements that 
- these theories may lend to. 
As to the explanation of the fact why polli- 
nation and possibly pollen growth (assuming they 
are concomitants of fruit development) do not 
result in the fertilization of a single ovule, as iu 
the seedless fruits, we must confess our ignorance, 
and leave the matter in the hands of experts. 
We do know, however, that many pollen tubes 
never reach the ovary, and that some ovules are 
left unfertilized while others develope into seed. 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
'' The School of Agriculture has had a number of 
foreign visitors of late. First came M. Em. 
; . Frud'homme, the chief of the Agricultural Depart- 
meat of Madagascar, with a party of fellow- 
travellers, then jjr. E. Giesenhagen, lecturer on 
Botany at the University of Munich, after him 
• M. Aiexis Teysloif, a Russian gentleman interest- 
f. ed in Ceylon bees, and the last visitor was M. Leon 
I'ynaert, a. Belgium botanist. M. Frud'homme 
and his friends called with a view to gain an in- 
sight into the working of the School of Agricul- 
■ ture. Dr. Giesenhagen, whose duties include the. 
•g , examination of products in order to ascertain to 
what extent tiiey are aduJtei'ated, was interested 
*" in the manufacture of our edible agricultural 
products, tea, ■•cdffee, cocoa, and dessicated coco- 
nuts. M. Teysloff, who called with the Director 
of the Cclombo Museum, examined the liives 
kept at the School, and secured some specimens 
of the Ceylon honey bee {Apis indica). M. Leon 
Pynuert, who is travelling in the East before 
Settling down in the i.^o:igo with a view to estiiblish- 
iug a Botanical Garden there, has, in addition to 
his continental tmining, been working some time 
at Kew Gardens, London. 
The Government Dairy is fortunate in being 
free from rinderpest, while the plague has been pre- 
vailing in various parts of Colombo during the 
past few months. It is to be hoped that the 
valuable herd of cattle will continue to keep in good 
health till the disappearance of the disease. 
The distribution of Dairy stock among the 
Government Agencies continues, and up to date 
the following animals have been sent out for 
breeding purposes in tbe jirovinces: — One stud bull 
to the Asiristant Government Agent Matara ; one 
stud bull, lour bull calves and three cow calves to 
the Government Agent, Jaffna; two bull calves to 
the Governmejit -4gent, ivurunegala ; one bull calf 
to the Government Agent, Anuradhapura ; three 
bull calves to the Government Agent, Ratnapura, 
and three bull calves to the Assistant Govern- 
ment Agent, Kegalle. 
We are indebted to Mr. J. P. Williams, the 
well-known firm of seedmen of Henaratgoda, for 
seeds of Eickxia Africanaand Hancornia speciosa, 
both rubber-yieding plants, but the latter also 
said to produce a delicious fruit. 
It is intended to establish a gymnasium on the 
grounds cf the School of Agriculture, where it 
will be available to the students of all the schools 
located on the premises. We welcome this inno- 
vation (for this will be the first gymnasium 
established iu connection witli a Colombo College 
or school) as an institution which s'lould be the 
means of " hardening " our students for the out- 
door life which every agriculturist must be 
equipped for. 
Bananas are again well to the front. Here is on 
advertisement of preserved Bananas: — "Mafuta" 
brand, desciibed as a splendid substitute for figs 
and raisins, and unequalled for dessert. Small 
box (16 to 20 bananas) fid, large box (30 to 40) 1/. 
In presenting these bananas to the public the manu- 
facturers enumerate the following advantages : — 
1. The fruit is picked when absolutely ripe, 
thus ensuring the real flavour, at present unobtain- 
able owing to the immature condition in which it 
is necessary to export the fresh fruit. 
2. There is no musty flavour as witli a sun- 
dried, baiuma, neither is the fruit parched or 
shrivelled. 
3. The price brings the fruit within the 
reach of all ; 1 lb. of bananas averaging 16 to 
20 whole fruits. 
4. There is no skin or stalk to waste ; this can 
be eaten not only as bought, but cooked ia ii great 
variety of ways ; especially during the winter 
months, 
