[January i, 1891. 
536 Silppknmt to the Tropical Agnciu'iihisL” 
mechanically by closing the pores of the stone 
This coating like painting itself has to he re- 
newed, since it is gradually detached from 
the stone. 
The third process, that of washing the face 
with a, solution able to convert the material into 
an insoluble non-absorbeut substance, is one “ in 
which the carbonates of lime are washed with a 
solution of an alkaline silicate, as silicate of soda 
or potassfe with a view to converting them into 
silicates of lime through the elective affinities of 
the lime and the silica. One objection to it is 
that the silicic acid is a slow one, and when the 
surfaces washed in the manner described are ex- 
posed to the rain, it is by no means rare to lind 
the solution curried away.” 
The fourth process is to clear the stone from 
dust or other extraneous matter and make it 
absorb as large a quantity as possible of the 
§ silicate of soda or potassa?. 'When the solutioii 
has dried into the stone a second wash should be 
applied consisting of the chloride of calcium. 
(To be continued.) 
PRIZE DAY AT THE SCHOOL OE 
AGRICULTURE, 
Yesterday (Nov. 29tli) afternoon took place 
another of those pleasant gatherings which recur 
annually at the School of Agriculture iu the 
Cinnamon Gardens. The entrance to the building 
was tastefully decorated, and the school-room 
had much artistic labour bestowed on its decora- 
tions. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary j>resided, 
and amongst others i^resent were the lion. J. 
J. Grinlinton, Hon. AV. AY. Mitchell, Hon. I)r. 
Anthonisz, Hon. M. C. Abdul Rahiman, Messrs. 
H. AY. Green, J. B. Cull, T. E. He Sampayo, 
Mrs. and the Misses Jteith, Mr. James He Saram, 
Dr. H. M. Fernando, the ilaha Mudaliyar, Mr. 
C. Drieberg, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph, Messrs. C. 
Thomasz, AY alter Pereira, R. 1’. Jayawardana, 
Mrs. and the Misses Beven, Mr. and Mrs. 
Schrader, Mr. C. M. Fernando, Mr. and Mrs. 
Jeronis Peiris, Advocate Senathi Rajah, Miss 
lY^doux, Mr. Ranesinghe, Mr. J. S. Hrieberg, 
Mrs. and the Misses Attygalle, Miss Lindsay, 
Miss Hrieberg, Mrs. and the Misses Grenier, 
Mrs. C. Hrieberg, Rev. S. Lindsay, Mrs. A. de 
Saram, Hr. and Mrs. Asreappa, Mr and Mrs. F. 
Homhorst, Rev. T. C. Hillard, Hr, Bowles 
Duly, &c. 
The proceedings commenced by tbe President 
calling upon the principal (Mr, C, HiuEBEBd, 
B.A.j to read his Report. 
Report was of a very encouraging nature, and 
its reading was inmctuatcd with frequent marks 
of applause from tlie audience. It alluded in 
terms of i)raise to tlio late Governor Sir Arthur 
Gordon, who hud l>y his encouragement and 
patronage in ])revious years shown his interest 
in the work of tlie School. His E-vcellency Sir 
Arthur Havelock was prevented from presiding 
owing to pressure of work, Init he had already 
shown bis appreciation of the work cai'ried on 
in the School by visiting it. Tlie pre.senco of 
Sir Edward AVdilker wa.s an indication of the 
interest he evinced on behalf of tbe school. The 
report next proceeded to slate the results of the 
operations carried on in the various provinces by 
the students who had been sent forth from tbe 
School. One of their men had been appointed 
as an agricultural instructor in the fever-stricken 
di.strict of AALilapane — the condition of which 
district the energetic Assistant Government Agent 
of Nuwara Eliya was endeavouring to ameliorate. 
That appointment made up a total of twelve 
students who had been enqiloyed as agricultural 
instructors — seven of whom were iiaid by Gov- 
ernment and five privately. It was a matter 
for congratulation that the Government officials 
rendered valuable assistance to the cause of agri- 
culture, notably the Government Agent of the 
Eastern J’rovince, the Government Agent of the 
Sabaraganiuwa Province, and the Assistant Gov- 
ernment Agents of Matara and Kegalla. Another 
batch of students was leaving College on com- 
pletion of their studies to engage in agricul- 
tural pursuits. It included some excellent young 
men, among whojii was Mr. J. J. Koddipilly, 
who has had a brilliant career at the School, 
One feature of interest was the imblication of a 
Montlily Magazine devoted to the interests of 
Agriculture ; and this literary effort is appreciated 
by those for wliom it was intended. The 
School Museum is growing in size, the Agricul- 
tural Discussion Society is well supported by 
both students and outsiders. A dairy has also 
been set on foot liy tlie lieadmaster. Air. Jaya- 
wardana, and experiments have so far been at- 
tended with success, and if. is satisfactory to 
note that a long fi'lt want lias lieen supplied. 
Through the knowledge imparted in this branch 
of agriculture the students could gain a know- 
ledge of the proper housing, feeding, and geneiul 
treatment of cattle in health and di.sease. Another 
feature of intere.st in the report was the fact 
that a large variety of crops hail been grown on 
tlie School grounds with the view of demon- 
strating the most approved methods. The report 
next referred to the willing hell) and ready assis- 
tance of Air. De Silva, the second assistant, not 
only by teaching in the School but by his writ- 
ings. Allot lier student of last year's batch has 
been employed as a conductor on an upcountry 
estate ; and it was satisfactory for the Principal 
to note tliat the advantages of employing such 
men consisted not merely in having an intelli- 
gent manager but abso a disciplined and honest 
employee. The report concluded by speaking of 
the loss of tlieir old Director, Air. Green, to 
whom the School owed its existence and success, 
but they had also to welcome tlie presence of Air. 
Cull, who.se established reputation as an educa- 
tionalist insured the successful direction of the 
Hejjartment of Public Instruction. 
Air. J. B. CuEL, ji.A., the new Director of 
Public Instruction, then rose and said: — Sir 
Edward AA'alker, Mr, Piluciiial and ladies and 
gentlemen, — 1 congratulate myself in the fact 
that my predece.ssor, Mr. Green, has come amongst 
us this evening pnepared with a spieech. The 
Scliool is pre-eminently a poem of his own com- 
position ; and the fact that I am so compiletely 
new to the use of the pilough makes it impossible 
for me to comment on tlie nature or the results 
of the iScliool in any way as adequately as I 
would wish. 1 congratulate you. Air. Principial, 
on the record you liave been able to piresent for 
the year. I learn that there are '-iO students 
