Not. 1, 1991..] THE TROPICAL 
siats of the nut operated upon by machinery, which 
outa it into various sizes from the ribbon to the 
granulated form. It ia used largely for confectionery 
and domestic purposes, and the principal centre of 
manufacture ia in Ceylon, which sent forward some 
fine exhibits of it from the Orient Co., and others. 
Linseed Oil and Cake. — The Gourepore Jute Co., 
Ltd., exhibited good samples of these, and were 
awarded a Silver Medal. 
Cotton-Seed Oil. — Some samples of this useful oil 
were deserving of interest. The oil is used by soap 
makers, and as a lubricant 2 and as the area planted 
with cotton in America goes on increaaingj it has 
resulted in a large production of seed, from which 
the oil is expressed, its cheapness enabling it to some 
extent to replace more costly oils. 
Essential Oils. — There were several exhibitors of 
cinnamon, lemon grass and citronella oils, chiefly from 
Ceylon. These are used principally for perfuming 
soap and to a small extent in drugs, and in cooking. 
A number of oils used in native medical practice 
were exhibited. Borne of these possess ascertained 
definite properties, whilst others have traditional re- 
Dute, but they are of no commercial importance. 
Fibres. — Cotton.— The exhibits from the United 
States, as might be expected, were exceptionally fine, 
and the award of a Grand Prix for the collective 
exhibit is one that is well merited for its excellence 
in every respect. Specimens of cotton from other 
countries received attention, but all of them repre- 
sented a growth insignificant as compared with that 
of the United States of America, 
Wool. — The exhibits of wool were numerous and in- 
teresting, but those of New South Wales were of 
surpassing excellence, and the collective exhibit was 
awarded the Grand Prix. 
The CoUaroy Company, Ltd., exhibited some fine 
specimens — one fleece merino ram, two years, growth 
of wool 368 days, the largest ever shorn in one piece, 
the texture being remarkably fine, close and very 
firm and tough. A Grand Prix has been awarded to 
this exhibit. 
Tne Glen Moan Station. — 1. C. Manchee — siibmitted 
three very fine samples and a bale of wool weighing 
300 lb. this latter being of uniform excellence, long in 
staple, thick cluster, fine, and very tough in fibre. For 
this exhibit a Gold Medal was awarded. 
These wools serve to show that great advances have 
been made in scientific agriculture and in producing 
sheep giving large size and heaviness in the fleece, 
combined with a high-class wool. 
A collective exhibit of 4ax from Canada claimed 
attention and approval, and a Gold Medal was 
awarded. _ 
Aloe, — Many very fine specimens of aloe fibre were 
exhibited, but those from Mauritius were remarkable 
for their excellence J those of Messrs. Rougier, 
Lagane & Goupille were of a stand-out description, 
and obtained the award of a Gold Medal 
Ramie. — Several samples were contributed, which 
gave evidence of the great value that may rightly be 
attached to this article in future from a commercial 
point of view. 
Thus far the endeavours to perfect the process of 
decortication, and to separate the fibre from the subs- 
tances enclosing it, have only been partially suc- 
cessful. 4 conference on the subject is about to be 
held, when it is expected that special efforts will be 
made for the achievement of what is so much to be 
desired. 
Palmyra fibre and kitul fibre were hown, and at 
tiaeted the atte-o.tion of those interested in the brush- 
making industry . 
Coir Fibre, Rope, and 'Sarn, — These are produced 
from the husk of the coconut, and a large export trade 
is done from Ceylon. The finest range of exhibits 
was contributed by Messrs. C P Hayley & Co., of 
Galle, to whom was awarded a Gold Medal. 
Cinchona. — Some choice specimens of cinchona bark 
were exhibited, chiefly from Ceylon, and a Gold 
Msdal was awarded to M'r. F G A Lane for succfeubrB 
deacriptiou. 
AGRICULTURIST. 34^ 
Report by Mr. C. A. Payton, H.M.'s Consul at 
Calais., 
British Juror in Class 53: Fishing Appliances. 
Ceylon. 
The Oeylon exhibits were incomplete, a valuable 
collection of pearls having been lost on the voyagei 
but some interesting things were shown, including 
an excellent collection of marine shells from Trinco- 
malee. 
Report bt Professor C. Le Neve Foster, f.r.s. 
British Jnior in Class 63 : Mines and Quarries. 
The Geological Survey of India sent a very ex- 
cellent collection of economic minerals, decidedly 
superior in extent and value to that of the Home 
Government. 
Ceylon fared badly. A fine collection of specimens 
of plumbago had been got together, and then mach 
of the labour was lost owing to the sorry manner 
in which they were displayed. Magnificent blocks of 
plumbago were huddled under a counter in a narrow 
passage, and other specimens were in dirty boxes on 
the floor uncared for. Printed information and proper 
explanatory labels were lacking. Plumbago was sacri- 
ficed to tea. 
" FERGUSON S CEYLON HANDBOOK 
AND DIRECTORY, 1901." 
(By an ex Ceylon Colonist.) 
"Give u.s your ideas about it : a po3t-card will 
do." I was dreaming that something was being 
handed to me, light and effervescent, with ice in 
it, invigorating. I awoke to find before me a 
huge red tome measuring 3^ inches by 5h by 8^, 
weighing exactly 2 kilogrammes— say 4 2-5th lb 
avoirdupois, and containing 1,403 pages of subjecl 
matter, with about 150 pages of advertisements, 
illustrated and otherwise! Hardly to be dismissed 
by a post card. The book is divided as follows : — 
Planciug and Agricultural Review ; General and 
Useful ; Statistical ; Directories ; Errata and 
Addenda ; and anything about Ceylon that is not 
contained within these limits, is not worth 
knowing. As a reliable book of statistics it has 
held its own for many years. Its accuracy has 
never been challenged. Its compilation has been 
undertaken and accomplished with the most 
scrupulous care; and with regard to other Direc- 
tories, if the late lamented Artemus Ward were 
still in the land of the living, he would certainly 
say, 
Bkalled by few, and excelled by none ! 
I am not sure that he would not go further 
The writer certainly has never come across a 
" Haadbook and Directory " the equal of this in 
completeness of information and accuracy of 
detail. 
In a book of this description a good Indece is 
not the least important part, and here we are 
well-provided, the Index covering 44 pages and 
being exceedingly well-arranged. Take for in- 
stance ad valorem customs duty. A friend 
once told me that when he was a youngster in 
an office, making out some documents, the chief 
looked over his shoulder and asked. " Are yon 
stamping these with a penny stamp 7 or ad va- 
lorem^ " The younsfster looked up with " I beg 
your pardon, Sir ? " "I asked you, are these to 
ibe stamped with a penny stamp ? or ad valorem T' 
" Thank you, Sir, I'll take a cup o' coffee " was 
the impudent reply. Small wonder that that young, 
ster was soon after drinking his coffee on the 
hill-sides of Ceylon. 
The Planting and Agricultural Review is 
of great value, not alone to the Ceylon planter 
