THE MAGAZINE 
OF 
Tf)G WOOL OF mnmiTim, 
COLOMBO. 
Added as C Supplement monthhi to the TliOPICAL AGRICULTURIST," 
The following pages include the contents of the Magazine of the School of 
Agriculture for February : — 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
Two plots of land have been laid under Lathyrus 
Sylvestris at the School, — one a saiidy soil, the 
other a heavy loam. In the latter, the plant must 
be said to be a total failure, for though the seed- 
lings were carefully attended to and watered, they 
died out after a few inches growth when the dry 
weather began to prevail. The other plot shows a 
fairly healthy growth. The plants in this plot are 
not much exposed to the sun and are growing in 
a moist place. It would thus seem that in Ceylon 
at least Lathyrus sylvestris is not the hardy 
plant it is reported to be, and that the hope of 
being able to cover our poor sandy soils with a 
nutritious fodder crop must he given up, that is 
to say if the seed we have been supplied with was 
not at fault. 
The School of Agriculture re-opened on the 16th 
January. Out of a large number of applicants 
for admission, 16 students have been admitted. 
" Cow-keeping in India" is the title of a work 
by Isa Tweed, published by Thacker, Spink & Co., 
Calcutta. Tlie book contains many valuable prac- 
tical hints, which we hope to give our readers 
the benefit of as opportunity offers. 
Mr. 11. S. Dias has been appointed Agiicultural 
Instructor in the Kegalla district. 
Received with thanks for the School Museum a 
sample of silky fibre from the fruit of the wava 
tree (Ctda t ropix yiyaiitea) sent by Mr, Van 
Slarrcx of Crystal Hill listate, Matale ; and 
specimens of felspar from llanguranketa, sent l)y 
Mr. II. S. Dias, late headmaster ot the BLiddhist 
School iu that district. 
At a meeting held on the 27th instant, it was 
decided that the meetings of the School of Agri- 
culture Improvement Society should be held on 
the first Friday of each month. Mr. Kehelpanala 
was appointed Secretary and Mr. Attepattu, 
Treasurer. 
The wealthy residents in and about Colombo, 
who are willing to give money towards a chari- 
table cause, or for the founding of a really use- 
ful institution, could not do better than help to 
establish a School in Colombo on the lines of the 
Industrial School of Kandy. This School, as it 
is now managed by Mr. Donald Jansz, is worthy 
of all the support and encouragement that men 
of position and influence can give. In it some 47 
boys are being taught tailoring, shoemaking, 
carpentry, wood carving and fretwork, book- 
binding, picture framing and such useful indus- 
tries as are suited to the class from which the 
boys are drafted. Carriage building on a small 
scale has also been taken up, and the result of 
the work of the boys reflects the greatest credit 
upon them and their Director. 
We are glad to learn that there is a fair sale for 
the articles turned out at the Industrial School, 
while the orders for printing are many. AVe have 
heard it said that the charges made for work done 
at the School are exorbitant, but excepting fancy 
articles which miglit, with excuse, have fancy 
prices, the charge for other kinds of work is quite 
moderate. It would be a great matter if some 
wealthy gentleman would come to the rescue of 
the School and pay off an old debt that stands in 
the way of the development of tlie institution. 
Not the least important features of the Scliool are 
the exercise of discipline and tlie teaching of 
method, 
