682 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. f April 1, 1904. 
Ordinance being passed for the simple 
reason of having? seen a few young birds 
sold during August and September. If he 
has studied ornithology as a student of nature 
only, he will know that young teal are well 
able to look after themselves, a couple of 
weeks or so alter knowing the sunshine of 
sunny Ceylon. In support of my contention 
I enclose a letter from Mr Henly on this sub- 
ject, who is a resident of many years in these 
parts, and is well able to give a sound opinion 
upon this matter.— \ ours faithfully, 
M. J. ALDERSON. 
{Copy.) 
Neboda, Oct. 13th, 1903.— J?e the close season 
for tea!, my opinion is that the number of 
birds that are shot in this district do not ueces 
sitate any close season being proclaimed. If there 
is to be a close season, then it should end certainly 
not later than the la.«!t day of August. I have 
seen a jyoung teal early in September, but it is 
not a common occurrence, and nearly all the birds 
as far as I have seen are able to look after them- 
selves by the beginning of August. By the end of 
September nearly all the birds have left this part 
of the country, and the close season being as it is 
at present, practically stops all shooting near here, 
I am aware that on one or two occasions men have 
come down from Colombo and shot large bags in 
June and July, but I fancy this was the fault of 
theMudalijar and headmen who did not explain 
to them that they were shooting the birds as they 
got ofi their nests. 
PLANTING AND OTHER NOTES. 
Rubber in the Straits. — Mr. North 
Christie has just returned from the Straits, 
and in another column an interesting inter- 
view is recorded. 
The Government Dairy,— Amongst nine 
Sessional Papers to hand is the report of the 
Committee appointed to inquire into and 
report on the Breed. Feeding, and treatment 
of the cows at the Government Dairy Farm 
and to make suggestions as to the improve- 
ment of the quality of the Milk. The Sum- 
mary is as follows : — 
We are of the opinion that the main fault of 
the Dairy is the poverty of its soil, and that this 
soil cannot be improved without a very heavy 
expenditure, and that Government should seriously 
consider the advisability of moving the Dairy to 
some more suitable locahty and of making a model 
dairy.— Albert J. Chalmers, G W iSturgess, 
Soloaion Seneviratne, Dairy Committee, Septem- 
ber 26, 1903. 
But a very important dissent by Mr. G. W. 
Sturgess, Veterinary Surgeon, is appended, 
regarding the conclusions made in disparage- 
ment of the Dairy milk which appear to be 
made upon an insufficient analysis— only 8 
analyses being taken in the year. The 
Aylesbury Dairy Company make no less 
than 12,914 analyses in one year! And the 
necessity for more to be made in Colombo 
has been realised in the appointment of Mr 
Bamber (at a substantial salary) to make 
numerous analyses, which, we hear, are largely 
of Colombo milk and will cover 12 months 
before any public report is made, 
BATTICALOA PLANTERS'" ASSOCIATIONt 
Agricultural Pest Ordinance.— (I) This 
Ordioaiice shall apply to all agricultural pests 
whether insect or vegetable fungoid pests. — (2) 
The ordinance shall come into effect in such 
districts and from such date as His Excellency 
shall proclaim, and shall apply only to such pests 
and such agricultural products, as shall be named 
in the PioclamatioD. (3) Whenever the ordinance 
shall have been proclaimed in any district, the 
Government Agent shall convene a public meeting 
of all proprietors or their representatives of lands 
(exceeding 50 acres) planted with the product or 
products named in the proclamation, with a view 
to the election of a District A griculiural Board 
which shall be empowered to deal with the pest or 
pests named in the proclamation. (4) The Board 
shall consist of not less than (xj nor more than (;</) 
members and the Government Agent shall be ex- 
ofBcio Chairman of the Board, and the Govern- 
ment Mycoiosist and Government Entomologist 
shall be ex officio members of the Board. Any 
owner of land cultivated with the product named 
in the proclamation who wishes to complain of 
the existence of the pest named in the proclama- 
tion shall be at liberty to apply to the Agricul- 
tural Board for assistance. The Board shall 
arrange that two of its members shall inspect 
together the land, regarding which complaint ha.s 
been made and shall make a report certifying 
whether or not the pest exists to such an extent 
as to be a source of danger to the neighbouring 
cultivation, whether the occupant of such land 
whether owner or Manager has taken or is taking 
steps to combat the said pest, what steps are 
required to be taken and whether the intervention 
of a Court is necessary. (5) If after a second 
visit to the land, it is found that no steps to 
combat the pest have been taken, or if 
the said owner, whether occupant, whether 
owner or Manager refuses to take such 
steps the members of the Board shall certify these 
facts to the Police Magistrate and shall hand a 
certificate in form A of the Schedule annexed 
to the complainant, which certificate shall be 
sufficient evidence for the Police Magistrate to 
deal with the case summarily without requiring 
the attendance in Court of the certifying members. 
(6) The complainant shall lodge a fee of (K2-50?) 
with the Agricultural Board on his application 
to the Board for the inspection of the property 
complained of. (7) The Police Magistrate may 
sentence the respondent whether owner or Manager 
to pay a fine not exceeding RlOO, and may at the 
same time award such part of tlie fine as he 
thinks proper to the Agricultural Board who 
may defray the expenses of the inspecting mem- 
bers if necessary. (8) There shall be no appeal 
against the order of the Magistrate under this Ordi- 
nance. Proposed Mr O'Grady (by his Proxy), 
seconded J W Cotton. 
* 
A Local Market Wanted fob Ramie 
Fibre.— We direct the attention of mercan- 
tile firms to Mr. C Drieberg's letter on 
page 681. It shows that it is probable there 
would be much greater active interest in 
r.amie fibre among cultivators were the local 
prices off ered clearly made known; Incal firms, 
from the information we have published from 
time to time as to pricts at home, ought 
to have no difficulty in estimating what they 
could oflEer for the product here, 
