July r, 1891.] Sitpplement to the 
being crowded into a short and heavy rainy season, is 
that the rivers gain in erosive and transporting power, 
owing mainly to the increase in their volume, 
which may go on to such an extent that the lower 
reaches of the river become flooded. These periodic 
floods cue to continuous heavy rains cause much 
damage to cultivators by submerging their crops, 
though there is tlie advantage of a deposit of silt 
to be expected when the waters abate, which adds 
appreciably to the fertility of tlie land. 
The "washing out" of soils on hilly land can of 
course be mitigated to a very great extent by an 
intelligent system of drainage, but those land- 
owners who are unfortunate enough to cultivate 
within the inundation area of rivers, can do little 
to'' minimise the evil-effects of long-standing water 
on their crops. In these latter cases where gene- 
rally proper outlets for flood water are what are 
only necessary to avert the evil results of inunda- 
tions, it is manifestly the duty of the Government 
to see to the alteration of those natural conditions 
which prevent the flowing off of this water. 
There are. besides, other considerations than the 
fostering of the agricultural industry — forinstance, 
the danger to health from stagnating water and 
decomposing vegetation — that should weigh with 
the Government in imdertaking the necessary 
measures, so far as they are practicable, to pre- 
vent if not the recurrence, at least the continuance 
of floods when they do occur. 
. ^ 
THE MADD TEEE. 
(Cycas Circinalis.) 
By W. a. De Silva. 
The Madu tree or the Ceylon Cycad grows 
commonly in uncultivated places. It has 
the appearance of a palm, and belongs to the 
Taxid family. This tree abounds in the jungles 
of Dumbara, Kadugannawa and other districts, 
The Madu has a branchless stem, but occa- 
sionally branched exceptions are met with. 
Twelve to sixteen leaves spring up at a time 
from the top of the tree. When the first set of 
leaves mature, others come up in the same 
manner to replace them. 
The Cy-cas is a dioecious tree. The staminate 
and pistillate flowers being borne on different 
plants. When the flowers come up they emit a 
peculiar nauseous smell. 
It is seen in fruit in November and December, 
and the fruits resemble large arecanuts. The ripe 
■fruits are sometimes chopped into pieces and 
dried, and a flour is obtained by pounding them, 
after removing the outer shell and soaking in 
water. This flour resembles somewhat that of 
rice, but has a peculiar smell though not of 
impleasant taste. Sweetmeat and other pre- 
parations are made from Madu flour, which is 
generally much used on account of certain 
medicinal properties it possesses, especially in 
alleviating rheumatic pains. Dried Madu fruits 
are often sold in the village bazaars at from 
six to eight cents per measure, about hundred 
and fifty fruits going to form a measure. 
The tender Madu leaves are covered with a 
glossy epidermis, and after this is removed they 
are generally made into curries for use as food. 
Tropical Agfimltunst.^'' 83 
NOTES FROM^ A TRAVELLEE'S DiARY. 
While travelling through Walapane in March 
last, and passing through some of the villages 
in the interior, I was struck by the novel 
appearance they presented, owing to many of the 
dwellings having sunflower plants, gay with 
golden blossoms, growing around them. On en- 
quiry I learnt that these plants had been raised 
by some of the boys attending the Government 
School in the neighbourhood. The teacher of 
this institution had himself got up a piretty little 
garden of sunflower trees opposite the school- 
house ; and it was he who had distributed the 
seed among his pupils, giving them instructions 
how to grow them, and explaining to them the 
economic value of the trees. 
Insignificant as this bit of experience on my 
part may appear to be, it goes to show that there 
is a deal of good work to be done in introducing 
plants and trees from one part of the Island to 
the other, as well as totally new products that may 
be found suitable. Dhall, arrowroot, breadfruit 
and various kinds of yams can with advantage 
be introduced into these parts. It is just here 
that one sees the great need there is for Agri- 
cultural Inspectors, who while itinerating will 
ascertain the wants of the inhabitants of remote 
villages, and lead the cultivators into the way 
of bettering their position. 
I paid a casual visit to the garden of a 
Moorman in Walapane, and found that he had 
four or five prolific bread-fruit trees planted 
there. These plants he had brought with him 
all the way from Dodanduwa in the Southern Pro- 
vince. By means of a Government officer who 
will supply seeds of jak, bread-fruit, &c., and 
instruct and advise the cultivator as to the best 
means of growing them, the iiiliabitants of these 
unfortunate parts may be induced to grow such 
f)roducts as have been mentioned, in their chenas. 
But it is only by personal influence, and the in- 
fluence of a Go-s'ernment oificer, that such results 
may be hoped to be brought about. 
Of planting-products, coffee is still represented 
in the village of Walapane, the trees looking 
healthy enough, and giving promise of a good crop. 
Having been convinced that cocoa would thrive 
in most of the villages, and getting several of 
the villagers to promise that they would give it 
a trial, I intend sending the village schoolmaster 
in Walapane a supply of cocoa seed for distribution 
among tlie schoolboys. The ubiquitous Moor- 
man is always on the look out, even in the 
remotest villages I have visited, to buy what coffee, 
cocoa, pei^per, &c., he can get from the villagers. 
I cannot say that cotton gives promise of being 
a favourite with the village cultivator. I know 
of cases where cotton was grown on a small 
scale and a few pounds, of lint taken in, but the 
main difficulty in these cases was the selling of 
the lint. The Moorman will not buy it, for good 
reasons so far as he is concerned, and it is not 
to be expected that a villager will take (will 
dare to take) a few pounds of cotton to the 
Kachcheri for sale. 
