OF 
Tf)G mWOl OF AGR1(J11LT11KG, 
COL.OMBO-. 
as -: Su2)2)h')ncnt montlilii to the '^TROPICAL AGBICULTUEIST." 
The following pages include the contents of the Magazine of the School of 
Agriculture for November : — 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
^^^^^^3 S has already been aimouiiced by 
^fe^ daily papers, 3,000 copies of 
'^M fm tlis first Agricultural Information 
w ^ Leaflet were circulated. So far as 
^^^^^^P circulation goes the ]Dromoters 
of the project of issuing these leaflets may con- 
gratulate themselves on its success. Up to date 
orders have been received for over 8,000 cojpies 
each month, and these from the " Sinhalese " pro- 
vinces only. Great help in the matter of circulation 
has been given by Government officials, school- 
masters, agricultural instructors, private land- 
owners, and in fact all classes, who have given 
orders of from 1 to 400 each, and promised to take 
advantage of land sales and other large gatherings, 
journeys through the villages, schools and such 
means which facilitate distribution. It is 
satisfactory to note that even the modest 
charge of 1 cent per copy will seldom be 
incurred by the goiyas themselves, to whom 
the information given is offered in as simple 
a form as possible. Under existing circumstances 
the be.st available means for circulating agricul- 
tural leaflets have been secured, and though it 
niiglit be considered by some that a more per- 
fect method for their circulation can be adopted, 
the fact remains that the utmost has been done 
t liat can be done, and that as a private enter- 
prise the project has met with as much success 
as can be expected. With their present circulation, 
and considering the support given to the leaflets, 
it will bo surprising if the information they 
embody does not reach almost every cultivator 
in the Sinluilese Provinces. 
It is a mutter of great urgency tluxt a spraying 
machine— a modified form of tlia Strawsoniser 
should be secured liy tlie Government for special 
u»<.' iu )uiddy-liolds iufested by insect posts— iu the 
interests of the paddy cultivator as well as in its 
own interests, inasmuch as a reduced yield of paddy 
means a reduced income to the Government. If 
someone thoroughly acquainted with the peculiar 
conditions tmder which paddy is cultivated be 
deputed to ari'ange with the manufacturers of 
these spraying machines to construct one suitable 
for use on paddy land, there should be no difficulty 
in getting the desired machine. Dr. Neal, the 
entomologist, says that nothing has been done 
in practical entomology that has shown better 
results than the use of emulsions containing 
kerosine or insoluble poison held in suspension, 
and their application to infected plants in a fine 
spray by various atomisers and spray pumps." 
With one of these machines, an insecticide can 
be brought iu contact with an insect, and its 
feeding ground thoroughly impregnated Avith 
poison. It is needful that the spray be very fine, 
and that it be applied with force to reach every 
infected part, or the hiding-places of insects. 
The Eeport of the Director of Public Instruction 
for 1890 contains an unusually short reference 
to the Colombo School of Agiculture, " which 
continues to fulfil," the Director is glad to say, 
" the expectations of my predecessor." A detailed 
report of the work of the school was read on 
prize-day last December, and reproduced in the 
Magazine columns. It was only late in 1890 
that Mr. Cull succeeded Mr. Green, and the new 
Director will no doubt have more to say of the 
school in his report for 1891, which has so far 
proved, in many ways, an eventful and " lucky " 
year for the Institution. 
We have pleasure in announcing that the stud 
bull which was expected from India has safely 
arrived. The bull (which was one of the Saidapet 
farm stock) is a handsome and compact animal, 
and well-suited for the object it was intended, 
namely, of mating with native cattle, and thus 
improving the breed. We trust advantage will 
bo talcen of the facilities offered to native cattle- 
owners to improve their stock, 
