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and analysis in Europe. There seems no reason to sappese that Ceylon is incapable of growing 
good quality of smoking tobacco, though it may not be able to compete with the best kinds grow 
in Cuba and other places. The cultivation is one which is likely to be of importance along the lin 
of the new railway to the North. 
Oils. — Cocoanut and cinnamon oils have been mentioned above. The expoi't of citronella oi 
has again increased, from 1,365,917 lb. in 1S98 to 1,478,756 lb. in 1899. Olive plants are being trie 
in some of the up-country districts, but it is too early yet to see any result. 
Tanning Plants. — The Crawford Cutch Co., established in 1895 (see repoi't) to extract cutch 
from mangrove bark at Trincomalee, &c., has ceased operations this year. Acacia decurrens h 
proved a valuable tan bark for high levels and has been a good deal planted. 
Fruit. — The supply of fruit plants has been increased so far as our resources will allow, an 
we have now a small supply of most tropical fruits available for sale at any time. The Curator 
Peradeniya prepared a very useful guide to the cultivation and uses of the fruits suitable for moderat 
elevations, which was published as a circular. 
Fodder Plants. — Trifolium Johnsonii, which has been recommended as probably suitaljle f 
up-country patanas, has been on trial at Hakgala. Six small beds were planted out in August on 
piece of ordinary patana land. The ground was thoroughly broken up, made even, and the plants p 
out at distances of one foot apart ; three beds were liberally supplied with manure, the others n 
The plants in the manured beds grew well, and at the end of November had completely covered th 
beds with foliage and flowers 4 to 6 in. high. The unmanured plants hardly grew at all, and mos 
of them died. It seems unlikely that this plant will grow on patana land without manure. Th 
plants when in full flower were attacked by hares and eaten down ; we have therefore no seed, bu 
can supply a few dozen shoots to those who may care to give this plant a trial. Lucerne at Hakgal 
though the plants are now over eight years old, has continued to crop well during the year. 
Trees. — The cork oak at Hakgala, which has been hanging back for some years, has at leas 
made a start, and has grown well during the last six months. Casuarina mo)(ta7ia, a Java specie 
which seems likely to suit the barren Uva patanas, is on trial at Hakgala and other places. Th 
drought told severely on the plantations of oaks and pines at Hakgala. Those, however, that hav 
taken hold of the soil look very well. 
Ornamental Plants. — The new varieties of Cannas at Peradeniya have been added to durin 
the year, and have been a great success and in much demand for private gardens. The privat 
nursery gardens in the Island have been improving considerably of late, and there is less need for th 
Government gardens to supply any ornamental plants other than the very newest sorts and rar 
species. 
11. — Report of the Entomologist. 
Mr. Green was absent in England from April 8 to October 6. He has done much work sine 
his return. 
MoroLoalc Korale Tea Pest. — During my absence from Ceylon numerous letters appeared in the local pres 
describing a caterpillar plague in the Morowak korale district. Alarming reports were published of the rapid spre 
of the pest, and the occurrence appears to have caused a considerable scare. No specimens of the insect seem to ha 
been preserved, and its identity can therefore be conjectured only. From the somewhat vague descriptions receive 
it is evident that the caterpillar belonged to the Limacodid family, and to the section bearing urticating spines. Th 
may have been any of three species, Thosea recta, Thosea cana, or Natada nararia, three species that have on sever 
occasions come into temporary prominence as tea pests. Several correspondents presumed the caterpillar to be th 
described in my early work on " Insect Pests of the Tea Plant" under the name of the •' blue-striped nettle-grub 
{Parasa lepida). But that is a considerably larger insect, and one of which I have never experienced any serio 
outbreak.* 
The caterpillar in question made its appearance in the latter half of July, and seems to have been extr 
ordinarily abundant. It is reported to have completely defoliated ten acres of tea in as many days, and to have al 
stripped any cinchona trees that were growing in the aifected area. The superintendent of the estate on which 
appeared made careful observations at the time, and has supplied me with the following particulars of the invasion 
The caterpillars were first noticed on the 15th July on a patch of about half an acre. Two days later 3 acr 
were affected, after which the pest extended its area at the rate of 5 acres a day, until 25 acres were attacked. Bro 
belts were cut round the affected area and all the included tea pruned. The prunings and sweepings were bur 
The pest disappeared completely for the time. Afterwards young caterpillars were observed on the new flush. T 
flush was therefore stripped for four successive rounds, resulting in the final extermination of the brood, and 
further damage was incurred. 
The j)oint that attracted most attention, and was the chief cause of alarm, was the remarkable rapidity wi 
which the plague is said to have spread. This must be accounted for, not by the caterpillars having actually traveU 
* Since writing- the above, Mr. F. M. Mackwood informs me that he raised moths from some of these caterpillars, a 
that they proved ),o be Tluisca recta, Hmpsn. 
