Feb. 1, 1904.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
549 
thoroughly whenever an opportunity offered itself 
to me — that is when the time conies when I shall 
not be taken up entirely with the Pearl Fishery 
iavesti>;aLion. 
"Do you tbink Government favours the matter 
and will interest itself in it ?"— "Well the 
whole matter is indefinite at present. J am 
only finishing off the P'earl Fishery inves- 
tigation and until that is done, I cannot 
say what definite programme of work will be 
inaugurated. 
" Will fish hatching result in much advan- 
tage to the low-country ? "—"I certainly btlieve 
that it will be of the greatest benefit to the 
whole Island." 
" Should the low-country be stocked with ordi- 
nary fish fotind la streams in the Island or with 
rainbow trout " ?— " As to the question whether 
it should be the rainbow trout or some other 
species offish for the low-country streams, requires 
a great amount of consideration and detailed 
investigation with experiments. 
" How would you suggest the breeding of fish to 
be carried on in the, low-country " ?— "I should 
like to see freshwater hatcheries established and 
the methods of fishing in the low-country ex- 
amined from a practical standpoint with a view 
to placing them under regulation, and, if necessary, 
restriction." 
" But what hard and fast rule could you apply 
to the villagers "?— " Well for one thing some 
methods of fishing might have to be proliihited and 
restricted in the Low country; then also comes the 
question what should be the size-limit of the fish 
to be caught and whatslifeuld be the species of fish 
dealt with.' 
" Is there much scope for stocking in Ceylon?" 
— " Tiiere is illimitable scope in stock- 
ing the rivers and tanks with good fish. 
Most of the fish found in the Island are 
bony and of little food value and, as I said 
before, the fish bred from need not be necessarily 
rainbow trout." 
"Will you be going into the matter ?"—" If the 
Government likes to go into the matter and to 
depute me to make investigations concerning it, 
I shall be only too glad to do it. I look upon 
fish hatching as likely to largely increase the 
food resources of the lovv-cauntry and of the 
northern parts of the Island ; specially important 
in view of the great increase of the inland 
population due to Kail way and Irrigation enter- 
prise." 
" It was strongly argued at the meeting at 
Nuwara Eliyathat Government should support the 
work; how is it done in large countries?" ' In 
America an enarmous Industry has been created 
by the efforts of the United Stales Fish Commission 
in starting freshwater fish hatcheries in many 
parts of the country which are proving extremely 
successful and profitable. In England nearly 
everything is left to private enterprise. 
"Should Government; support the Fish Hatch- 
ing. It is a matter well deserviug of the attention 
of Government, and it should prove successful." 
"Will it be a labour opening for the villagers?" — 
"Certainly, it would be a means of employment to 
many people. Almost all the common fresh 
water fish are comparatively poor. If the number 
of good fish in the streams and tanks were increa- 
sed largely, the economic resources of the coun- 
try would be increased and the population — 
European and native— have an additioual supply 
of wholesome food," 
"Would'nt it come rather harden the villagers 
if Government took the matter up and prevented 
fifching and supervised the same, as that is a large 
means of their support? Tliey eat the commoner 
fish they find in streams," — "You may rest assured 
that ar.y scheme that Government might take up 
would be for the benefit of the villager, and would 
not in any way interfere with their means of 
livelihood. If one privilege bo taken from them, 
they would be granted another to counter- 
balance." 
Mr Hornell returned from Galle bringing 
with him from the Marine Laboratory there 
certain instruments and other things which 
would be of use to him on tlie Pearl 
Banks, whither he sets out shortly, as soon 
as all preparations are complete, See. He goes 
there to make further investigations among 
the oysters in connection with our Pearl fisheries, 
and will also make further experiments in 
dredging for Pearl oysters. 
' » ' 
AMBAGAMUWA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
ANNUAL KEPOKT FOR 190.3 1904. 
The Hon. Secretary read the annual report as 
follows : — 
In presenting this report for 1903-1904 your Com- 
mittee have pleasure in statiug that the Aaaociation 
has well maintained its strength and usefulness during 
the past year. 
The number of votes in the register is 36, being two 
less than laat year. At a general meeting held on 11th 
March 1903, Rule 5 of the Association was altered in 
so much aa it affected the amount of the annual 
subscription, viz. that the annual subscription was 
raised from RIO to R12'50, whereby the debit balance 
of R32'42 bronght forward from last year has been 
reduced to Rll':i2, 
The financial position of the Association is as fol- 
ows : — 
R c 
Expenditure— Debit balance from last year 32 42 
36 subscriptions at 7-GO to the Parent Asso- 
ciation .. .. 270 00 
Petty diabursementa .. .. 158 80 
461 
By 36 subscriptions at 12 50 ,.. 450 
Debit balance ... ... 11 22 
The accounts of the Association were duly audited 
by Mr Kerr, 
Meetings, — During the year there have been 4 
general meetinffs, 5 meetings of the Standing Com- 
mittee, and one meetins; of the Local Labour Federa- 
tion Committee, ail of which have been well attended. 
Minor Roads. — The iuter-district roads in the 
district are generally in good order. The District 
Road Committee gi'ant for 1903 was R355. 
An additional RlOO asked for could not be granted 
aa funds were not available, A reaolation was passed 
at a general meeting held on 2Sth July, 1903, asking 
"That the Chairman of the District Road Committee 
bear in mind the application made by this Associa- 
tion when apportioning the various amounts of the 
grants for next year." 
Planters' Benevolent Fund. — At a general meeting 
held on 9ch November, 1903, Mr Shand was elected 
to collect subscriptions in this district. 
Crop Estimate. — The returns for the district for 
the official estimate of tea crop for 1904 were collected 
as usual, the figares arrived at being as follows : — 
(a) Total acreage in tea .. 15,953 acres. 
(b) Acreage in bearing , . 14,875 do 
