4I2 
THE TROPICAL AQRICOLTURIST. 
[December i, 1890. 
ravages of caterpillars which infested the rest of the 
tract. 
10. The iron ploughs used were some I got from 
Messrs. Massey & Oo. of Madras, which cost K8 and B6 
in Madras and about III more to bring over by native 
vessel. The cheaper plough (known as the Eyots) did 
very fair work, and is well suited for the light cattle of 
the country, but wants strengthening in the elbow; 
the shaves are detachable and a new one cost 75 cents. 
11. As I was on the last occasion charged with 
omitting to make provision for watching and fencing, 
I think it well to explain that at Nintavur there were 
five permanent labourers {i.e. one for_ every 7 acres) 
engaged for the whole cultivation , who did all the watch- 
ing and fencing as well as the ploughing, ridging, 
irrigating and sowing, in addition to helping in the 
reaping at a cost of R266-60. Additional labour was 
taken as required for reaping, threshiiig, stacking, 
etc., which was paid for in money. Similar arrange- 
ments were made at the other localities. 
In conclusion I have to intimate that I propose 
again undertaking cultivation of the same extent dur- 
ing the coming season. — I am &o., 
(Signed) E. Elliott, Govt. Agent. 
Actual outlay in the cultivation of 35 acres of 
paddy land at Nintavur in the Batticaloa district 
under supervision of Mr. Chelliah, Agricultural In- 
structor. 
Implements. 
5 Englisb ploughs, cost of renewing shares at 
75 cts. ... ... ... ... 
Depreciation on cost of ploughs at 20 per ct... 
4 Native ploughs do do do at do ... 
Maiuotics (provided by labourers and included in 
their hire), baskets and bags ... ... 
Seed Paddy, 
For 30 acres, broadcast ... 
5 „ transplanted ... 
Ploughing, ridging, irrigating, fencing, watching, 
sowing, etc., all executed by hired labour 
at cost of 
Buffalo and bullock hire ... ••• 
Transplanting 5 acres, cooly hire 
Manure lime 
Reaping, stacking and threshing 
Hired labour 
Buffalo hire 
Total cost of actual cultivation... 
Miscellaneous Chaegbs. 
Vaddai Vidhan’s hire ... ... ... 
Government tax ... ... 
Total expenditure... 
R 
c. 
3 
75 
6 
00 
1 
OO 
4 
50 
R15 
25 
80 
85 
I 
40 
R82 
25 
255 
30 
II7 
00 
R372 
30 
13 
04 
4 
00 
117 
00 
9 
00 
R126 
00 
U612 
84 
9 
25 
80 
00 
R89 
25 
R702 
09 
NUTMEG CULTIVATION. 
{From a Corresimultnt.) 
“ Old Planter ” is quite right— nutmegs will thrive all 
along Hanwella on both sides of the river’s banks, and 
do thrive splendidly, judging by the specimens I 
have seen in a headman’s garden in a village just 
opposite the 15th milepost on the Ilanwella road, on 
the other side of the river and close to its banks. I 
have also seen nutmegs grow luxuriantly along the 
banks of the lake at Bolgoda. Tliere is no doubt 
that nutmeg plants must be well shaded and tended 
(watered during the dry season) for at_ least about 3 
years after planting, after which it is all right. I 
bolievo that mangosteins will also thrive in the 
Howagam Korale, and would suggest to the present 
Mudaliyar the advisability of applying to Government 
for 100 plautfl to be distributed in his korale, The 
present young Mudaliyar of Siyane Korale West has with 
his usual generosity distributed a good many mangosteen 
and other valuable fruit plants throughout his district 
to all such landowners as he deems deserving, 
irrespective of caste and creed ; and nob only this, it is 
well-known that valuable breeding bnlle were 
generously lent by this young gentleman to those in 
his district who needed them, and this good example 
may well be copied by his nrother Mudaliyars. 
Nutmegs are said to thrive wonderfully well at Weke, 
where this Mudaliyar has a good many trees to show 
in his superb coconut estate which is the admiration 
of all who see it. 
PLANTING IN MAURITIUS. 
(From the Merchants and Planters’ Gazette, 
Oct. 11th.) 
SuGAE, : The Weathek and the Crop. — Manipula- 
tion is being carried on with great activity on all the 
estates of the island. The yield is sufficiently satisfac- 
tory although inferior to that of last year 'in certain 
quarters. According to the results obtained up to this 
day, the total production will be inferior lo that of 
last year. 
Vanilla. — The market is entirely bare of fine quali- 
ties. The products of the new crop will not appear on 
the market before the end of this month. IVe entirely 
confirm our last valuation as regards the total outturn 
of the coming crop which does not exceed 14,000 kilos. 
The following quotations are nominal : 
per kilog. 
Vanilla 1st quality BIS to K20 
do. 2nd ,, 16 to 18 
Vanilloes 8 to 10 
Aloe Fibre. — 100 bales of good quality have been 
taken for Australia at E250 per ton. There would be 
takers at the same price for Europe but the fibre is 
scarce, holders ask for higher prices. 
Freights. — The following are the quotations of the 
day : 
London. ..27/6 to 30 and 6 o/o N. 
The Financial Position. — It appears from a finan- 
cial statement placed on the table of Council on Sept. 
23rd that the receipts since the 1st January amounted 
up to the 30th July 1890 to R4,030,488‘41, the expendi- 
ture during the same period to K3,389.378‘75, leaving a 
balance of R641,109’66 in favour of the Treasury. 
Coffee. — Since our last, arri'als liavicg succeeded, 
prices for both Good Ceylon and Reunion have de- 
creased and are selling at R59 to R60 and R60 to R61 
per 50 kilos, respectively. We quote mixed “triage” 
qualities from R35 to R50 per 50 kilos, according to 
quality. 
o 
Gemming in Rakwana. — We learn that 
there is very considerable activity shown in sink- 
ing gem pits in the vicinity of Aberfoyle estate. 
In one case a shaft has been sunk for 100 feet 
and the “ illan ” has been struck so freely that 
profitable results are anticipated. This is a pit 
carried on under European auspices, Mr. Siedle 
being Colombo agent and Mr. W. Home, the pit 
manager. Close by there is an equally deep pit 
belonging to Mr. Fernando and another to an 
enterprising Moorman. The efforts of some of the 
practised native gemmers to mystify the Euro- 
peans as to the “illan” are described as very 
constant and persevering. Such native experts hope 
that their European superiors not finding the 
long-expected illan at 40, 60, 80 or 100 feet may 
abandon the pit and go to work elsewhere, when 
the abandoned shaft would be very speedily taken 
up and worked out by a native confederacy. — We 
are told that the value of £1,000 put on a week’s 
findings of stones at Rangwellatenne is an exagge- 
ration ; at any rate that the Company would be 
very glad to accept that amount for the gems 
they have so far secured. 
