676 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. [April 1, 1904. 
started Messrs. Grinlinton and Mitchell, since 
knighted, secured a great quantity of seed of 
different varieties and distributed it to scores, 
perhaps hundreds, of people whose experi- 
ments proved more or less successful, all the 
way from Colombo to Dolosbage, Matale, 
Dumbara and Anuradhapura — to mention only 
some of the stations from which encouraging 
reports were obtained. All that the experi- 
ments established was that every variety of 
cotton would grow here, that the varieties 
generally preserved their characteristics, that 
they all had to contend with insect enemies, 
and that, without gins on plantations or at 
convenient centres, the cost of ti'ansport 
would kill the industiy. If the experiments 
had been successful in the fullest sense, even 
if European capital failed to be attracted to 
it, we should have heard of an increase in the 
production of cotton on chenas and in native 
gardens. There is nothing of that kind to 
report. It rested, therefore, on the Govern- 
ment, both as a matter of general policy and 
with special reference to the Northern Eail- 
way— which is being built with a view to 
open up waste and neglected tracts, and not, 
as the other lines in the country have been 
constructed, to meet the pressing needs of 
existing traffic— to demonstrate that it is an 
industry which will yield satisfactory returns. 
Since it turned its attention to experiments. 
Cotton-growing has come to be regarded as an 
imperial concern, through the gambling in 
Cotton in which American financiers are 
indulging and which has compelled the British 
capitalist and manufacturer to make an effort 
to secure from our wide-spreading Empire all 
the Cotton necessary to keep our great 
British manufactories at work. This last 
circumstance renders a thorough and exhaus- 
tive experiment doubly necessary. Not only 
can th3 Government spend more money on 
the experiment than a private individual is 
likely to risk, but a Report with the official 
imprimatur will appeal more readily to the in- 
tending investor than would the prospectus of 
a private Firm or Company. Mr. Willis' ex- 
periments ought to tell whether particular 
varieties affect particular soils ; the extent 
to which they vary in liability to disease or 
insect attacks ; which stands drought best ; 
whether they differ materially in yield ; 
whether in the arid districts irrigation is a 
sine qua non ; and if so whether to all alike. 
Then, after the crop has been taken in and 
cleaned, which gives the best weight, and 
which the best prices. Without such inform- 
ation capital will not be attracted to cotton 
by the m3re knowledge that it grows in the 
Island. It grows in India, and yet the returns 
are only such as to keep the industry in the 
hands of the poorer classes of cultivators. 
Once Mr. Willis' experiments establish a pay- 
ing industry, we feel sure the enthusiasm of 
Revenue Ofiicers will induce villagers to take 
it up, and— none the less— the enterprise of the 
capitalist British and local will take up land 
all along the Railway line. 
» 
MR. C. J. C, MEE'S APPOINTMENT. 
In connection with the above j^we may say that 
the following was tabled at the Secretaiiat 
lately;— In connection with the experimental 
coifcn cnltivnlioi), wliich is beirg inaugu- 
rated by Government in N. W. P., we are 
authorised to state that Mr Charles J C Mee, of 
Clyde estate, Kalutara, has been appointed to 
superintend the work at a salary of R3,000 per 
annum, with free quarters, and is expected to take 
up duties shortly. The Director of the Botanical 
Gardens will exercise a general supervision of the 
whole work. ^ 
— -* — - 
THE AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
THIS year's show TO BE AT MORATDWA, 
The annual general meeting of the Ceylon 
Agri-Horticultural Society was held recently 
at the office of the Superintendent of School 
Gardens, Cinnamon Gardens. The Hon. Mr 
G M Fowler, Government Agent, W P., Vice- 
President presided. Present :— The Hon Mr S 
C Obeyesekera, Messrs 8 P Jeffery, J Clevis de 
Silva, W A de Silva, Jacob de Mel, Solomon 
Seneviratne, J W C De Soysa, and O Drieberg, 
Hon Secretary and Treasurer. After formalities, 
the Hon Mr Obeyesekera proposed and Mr S 
Senevikatne seconded, that the office-bearers 
be re-elected. Carried. Mr Drieberg was reques- 
ted to write to H E the Governor and ask if he 
would be the Patron of the Society, in succession 
to Sir West Ridgeway. The office-bearers are : — 
Pkesident: The Hon. the Lieut-Governor. Vice- 
President : The Hon. the Government Agent, W, P. 
Hon. Seceetary and Treasurer: Mi- C Drieberg. 
Executive Committee : also remains unchanged. 
MrJ W C De .Soysa proposed, and Mr Jacob 
DE Mel seconded, that the Show be held ac 
Moratuwa, date to be left to the decision of the 
Sub-Committee. — Carried. 
It was decided to hold the Show at Prince of 
Wales' College, which Mr De Soysa promised to 
secure for the Society. This will mean a very 
considerable saving in expense. 
The Sub committee of the Executive Uommittee 
will consist of the menjbers of the Society present) 
at yesterday's meeting. 
DETAILS OF THE SHOW. 
The Sub-Committee then discussed the detail^ 
of the show. lb was resolved to request Messrs 
J W C De Soysa, E L F De Soysa, Johannes de 
Mel, H J Pieris, H L de Mel, Dr Solomon Fer- 
nando, Mr B O Dias, Mr Godamune, and twenty- 
two other prominent residents of Moratuwa to act 
as a local Sub-Committee, and to ask them 
whether they could raise a fund of R2,500 to meet 
expenses. This was the usual method. The Secre- 
tary, it was decided, should try to secure the 
necessary promises by the 8th April, on which 
day the Sub-Oommittee would meet again and 
consider the prizes and conditions. 
THE OVER-CROWDING TO BE OBVIATED. 
The Sub-Committee decided to thiow the Show 
open to the general public at certain hours on each 
of the days. The admission will at these hours be 
free and the crowd will have time to exhaust them- 
selves during open hours. Those who wish to 
avoid the crush will have the opportui:ity of 
yetting in at other hours, wiien a small fee will 
lessen the numbers. 
A NEW DEPARTURE CONTEMPLATED. 
The sub-Committee next discussed a new depar- 
ture proposed by the residents of Moratuwa, that 
the show ought to be an occasion for exhibiting 
the famous carpentry of Moratuwa people. The 
