338 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[November r, 1890. 
damaged trying to see and estimate any coffee 
berries for his employers 1 On one of thes® 
branobes no less than 954- coffee berries have today 
been counted. Mr. Kellowand some of his neighbours 
are believers in the old Uva system of cultivation 
without iminimj, and certainly the result in the ease 
of Albion seems saiisfaetory. Of course there is 
liberal cultivation otherwise ; and indeed if coSee 
planters anywhere in Ceylon expect crops in these 
days, there must he a liberal reliance on manure 
as well as on Providence. 
— 
UVA AND HAKGALA GABDENS, &c. 
The Director of Botanic Gardens (Dr. Trimen) 
accompanied by Mr. Nock of Plakgela, has been on a 
visit of inspection to the Badulla Garden, which 
we can testify to be a very pleasing addition to the 
amenities of the capital of Uva, and in itself — con- 
sidering the soil and situation — a wonderful success 
refl>cting credit on the Department. Dr. Trimen 
returned via Haputale and Horton Plains where the 
successful growth of plants put out there was 
noted — and others are to be sent. Some new or 
rare plants were collected by Dr. Trimen and Mr. 
Nock during the Horton Plains expedition ; and 
the former has been much pleased with the 
progress made in the various experiments at 
Hakgala Gardens, where the new vegetables, fruit 
bushes and trees are giving satisfaction. Apples and 
pears have been produced with a flavour far superior 
to that of any yet grown in Ceylon. All tho fruit 
trees are for the present, “ resting.” As for 
potatoes, we have some specimens of the “ fourth 
generation” from the seed brought by Mr. Nock 
from England, and they weigh up to over 1 lb' 
each, and are perfectly healthy. 'I’o other 
features of the Gardens we must refer later on. 
Dr. Trimen returned to Peradeniya on the 19 h 
instant. It would be well if every province, and 
indeed revenue district, bad its Experimental Garden, 
subject to the oversight and inspection of the 
Director and his Assistants. 
THE LATE EXPERIMENTS WITH MANA 
GRASS FAILURES. 
Daring Ihe week it has been possible for me 
to read over the reports made by Messrs. Ibotson 
and Dr. Evans relative to the late trials made 
of mana grass, respecting the progress of which 
you have been k<-pt fully informed by me. That 
by Messrs. Ibotson is certainly very discouraging, 
all the attempts made by them having been 
failures. There are, however, very curious facts 
relative to the trials made which lead us to 
the conclusion that very probably a mistake 
has been made somewhere or other which would 
sutiiciently account for Ihe disappointing resulis 
as yet reported. Dr. Evans, after personally wit- 
nessing the later trials made by Messrs. Ibotson, 
took away with him some of the grass which 
had formed the basis of those trials. This he 
tested in his own laboratory, and found that the 
product of his endeavours differed wholly and 
entirely in its character from that he obtained 
when testing the first lot of mana grass. You 
will recollect that the sample sent you by mo 
of the result to that first testing — and as to 
which Dr. Evans reported most enthusiastically — 
was an eminently strong and fibrous paper. The 
outcome of the trial made by that gentleman 
with tho second lot of grass received was identical 
in character with what was obtained by Missis. 
Ibotson, namely a dusty weak pa, er v/hioli would 
scarcely bear liandling in pieces of only a few 
inches Eepiare. Indeed tho spccimons iiroducecl of 
this broke with their own weight and were abso- 
lutely worthless. Now the question consequently 
arises. What can account for the vast difference 
between the results to the two trials ? 
Dr. Evans inclines evidently to the view that the 
two lots of the grass obtained, differed altogether in 
character. Whether this difference be due to the 
different localities in which the grass was grown, 
or whether it may be owing to the different 
conditions of age or ripeness at which it was 
plucked, the expert professes hiuaself unable to say; 
but he suggests both explanations of the very striking 
contrast between the results obtained. To my own 
mind it occurs as possible that the second lot of 
grass received was not mana grass at all, but 
citronella grass. To a great extent, this possibility 
is based upon a fact mentioned by Dr. Evans in 
his report that, during the boiling operation, the 
grass gave out a very powerful odour of citronella. 
Whether that oil may bo to some extent contained 
in mana grass is not known to any of us. At all 
events, that the reputed mana should give out 
such a scent is a circumstance worthy of every 
consideration in estimating the gravity of the 
conclusions to which we have been forced by the 
ill-success which has attended the work.ng of the 
shipment of grass specially sent home for these 
trials. The first lot of the grass dealt with was 
but a small parcel, and was obtained from Mr. 
J. L. Shand. The seeond^ — in quantity some fourteen 
hundredweights — was obtained by Mr. Kelly in 
Dikoya, but I am as yet uninformed whence Mr. 
Shand obtained his supply. Anyway, there is a 
radical difference betwieu the two lots of the raw 
material which have hilherto been tested. Of the first 
Dr. Evans spoke in terms even more highly commen- 
datory than he permitted himself to use in his written 
repoit, and no one is more astonished and dis- 
appointed than himself at the result to the larger 
scale trials lately undertaken. As yet there has 
not been suflieient time for the Stanley-Wrightson 
Syndicate to determine what the next steps to 
be undeitaken by it shall be. Probably the en- 
deavour will be made to obtain the judgment of 
expert botanists upon the character of the two 
lots of grass. That such great diversity should 
be found as the resul of the treatment of these 
is most perplexing, and certainly lends colour to 
the idea that they must have been radically 
different in character. If the examination by 
competent botanical knowledge should decide that 
such difference is marked, it will be vital to 
future success that a larger quantity of grass, 
plucked at diffeient stages of growth and from 
different soils, should be obtained from Ceylon. 
I hope when writing next to have learned more 
conclusively what has been done, or is in con- 
templation, with respect to this matter . — London Cor. 
NOTES ON PRODUCE AND FINANCE. 
Are the Chinese likely to adopt kewee methods 
IN Tea Cultivation. — As the Chim se will have to take 
rigorou.s action of some kind if they are to retain a 
tea trade of any importance, the questicn a'iees, will 
tl oy cultivate with more care aud adopt newer methods 
of maiiipulation in manufacture? The British Cciiiul 
at Ouuton hints at tLis in a recent report when 
be says; “From obsetvaticn of the tea plantations 
in the immediate luighbourhcod, tho quality of the 
teas might be considerably improved if a liitlo more 
care was de voted to i be cultivation of the bushes, and 
if foi'i ign appliances for dryirg the leaf immediately 
it iv plucked wire iutrcduce'^, for the plantations seem 
uUc-riy' Leg'ceted, and much leaf is ruined while on 
its way to Canton to ho fi.ed when it chances lo be 
rainy weather.” But be also says, and this adds to 
the hnpedessness of the ouilook for the Chinese, 
