538 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
[Feb.  I,  1896 
of  music,  poured  fortli  in  the  pauses  of  a wild 
February  or  March  storm,  possess  the  additional 
charm  of  mystery  because,  like  the  music  of  the 
robin  or  the  wren,  we  cannot  reconcile  such  vo- 
luntary bursts  with  the  theory  of  sexual  rivalry  as 
the  origin  of  avian  song.  — Graham  IF.  Murdoch, 
in  Knowledge. 
INDIGESTIBILITY  OF  FllUIT  SKINS 
OR  RINDS. 
That  the  rind  or  “ skin”  of  all  fruit  is  more  or  less 
indigestible  is  a fact  that  should  uot  be  forgotten. 
We  say  cdl  fruit,  and  the  statement  must  be  under- 
stood to  include  the  pellicle  of  kernels  and  nuts  of  all 
kinds.  The  edible  part  of  fruit  is  peculiarly  delicate 
and  liable  to  rapid  decomposition  if  exposed  to  the 
atmosphere;  it  is  thei'efoi’e  a wise  provision  of  Nature 
to  place  a strong  and  impervious  coating  over  it  as 
a protection  against  accident,  and  to  prevent  insect 
enemies  from  destroying  the  seed  within. 
The  skin  of  plums  is  wonderfully  strong  compared 
with  its  thickness,  and  resists  the  action  of  water 
and  many  solvents  in  a remarkable  manner.  If  not 
thoroughly  masticated  before  taken  into  the  stomach 
this  skin  is  rarely,  if  ever,  dissolved  by  the  gastric 
juice.  In  some  cases  pieces  of  it  adhere  to  the  coats 
of  the  stomach,  as  wet  paper  clings  to  bodies,  causing 
more  or  less  disturbance  or  inconvenience.  Kaisins 
and  dried  currants  are  particularly  troublesome  in 
this  way,  and,  if  not  chopped  up  before  cooking, 
should  be  thoroughly  chewed  before  swallowing.  If 
a dried  currant  passes  into  the  stomach  whole  it  is 
never  digested  at  all. 
In  the  feeding  of  domestic  animals  this  fact  should 
be  kept  in  mind.  If  grain  and  leguminous  seeds  are 
not  crushed  or  ground,  much  of  the  food  is  often 
swallowed  whole,  and  the  husk  or  pellicle  resists 
the  solvents  of  the  stomach,  causing  a considerable 
loss  of  nutrition.  Thus  every  horsekeeper  should 
posses  a corn-crushing  machine  for  feeding  purposes. 
Birds,  being  destitute  of  teeth,  are  provided  with  a 
special  apparatus  for  grinding  their  seed,  namely, 
the  gizzard.  The  iudigestibility  of  certain  nuts  is 
partially  duo  to  the  brown  skins.  Blanched  almonds 
on  this  account  are  more  digestible  than  those  which 
have  not  been  so  treated. — Market  Gardener,  Dec.  4. 
CENTRAL  TRAVANCORE  PLANTERS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  this  Associa- 
tion we  see  from  the  Madras  Mail  was  held  on 
the  4th  Jan.  The  Hon.  Sec.  read  tlie  Annual 
Report,  in  the  course  of  which  he  said 
I myself,  though  I have  taken  some  pains  to 
make  enquiries,  have  never  met  a planter  of  any 
experience  who  has  not  looked  on  advances  as  a 
matter  of  absolute  necessity,  and  I am  therefore  led 
to  believe  that  the  assertions  as  to  their  inutility 
emanated  from  the  younger  portion  of  our  community 
Another  step  forward  this  year  was  the  re-insti- 
tution after  a lapse  of  nearly  twenty  years  of  public 
sales  of  waste  lands,  and  it  is  much  to  be  hoped 
that  these  will  bo  continued  there  being  unbounded 
room  in  Travancore  for  the  expansion  of  the  tea 
and  coffee  industries. 
With  unanimous  consent  Messrs.  J.  Grieve  & Co. 
were  appointsd  solo  agents  for  the  Association.  These 
KO'itlemen  have  done  much  in  exposing  local  traders 
making  use  of  fraudulent  marks  and  selling  there- 
under spurious  teas  purporting  to  be  the  produce 
Of  this  Ilistrict.  I trust  that  the  arrangements  now 
made  will  go  far  to  check  this  trade. 
Indian  Ameuican  Tea  Fund.— Members  are  to  bo 
most  heartily  congratulated  on  their  response  to  the 
appeal  made  to  them  for  this  Fund,  livery  estate 
and  almost  every  Superintendent  subscribed,  and 
the  Association,  which  remitted  the  very  substan- 
tial sum  of  R1,.')00,  has  again  received  the  special 
thanks  of  the  Indian  Tea  Association.  The  past 
year  has  seen  an  average  decline  of  fully  Id,  per  lb. 
in  the  tea  market,  and  I would  warn  members  that 
a recovery  in  the  coming  season  is  unlikely.  The 
estimates  for  the  year  have  not  yet  appeared, 
but  tliere  can  be  little  doubt  that,  given 
favourable  weather,  there  will  be  an  increased  yield 
both  from  India  and  Ceylon.  For  this  annually 
increasing  production  an  outlet  must  be  found 
Mr.  Blechyndeu,  our  representative  is  doing  admir- 
able work  for  us  in  America  and  his  efforts  are 
beginning  to  bear  fruit,  but  to  continue  the  campaign 
the  sinews  of  war  must  bo  forthcoming,  and  I would 
therefore  urge  members  by  every  means  in  their 
power  to  respond  as  liberally  in  the  present  season 
to  the  appeal  that  is  certain  to  be  made  for  funds 
as  they  have  done  in  the  jiast.  It  is  practically  a 
Life  Insurance  Fund,  for  on  the  success  of  the 
American  campaign  in  a large  measure  depends  our 
own  prosperity,  and,  after  all,  the  sum  asked  for 
from  each  individual  estate  is  infinitesimal  as  com- 
pared with  the  interests  at  stake.  It  is  satisfactory 
to  note  that  coffee  cultivation  is  again  springing  up 
in  the  District,  and  this  too  with  every  prospect  of 
success.  I heartily  congratulate  the  enterprising 
gentlemen,  who  have  extended  their  operations  in  this 
direction. 
The  result  of  the  ballot  for  office-bearers  was 
as  follows  ; — Chairman. — Mr.  F.  M.  Parker. — Com- 
mitteo. — Messrs.  S.  M.  Dighton,  li.  II.  Goldie  and 
R.  S.  Imray,  Honorary  Secretary. — Mr.  G.  L.  Acworth. 
Proposed  by  Mr.  Imray  seconded  by  Mr.  Goldie  : — 
“ That  this  Asssociation  endorses  the  Resolution 
passed  by  the  Wynaad  Planters'  Association  and 
considers  some  form  of  advance  as  necessary  to  the 
existence  of  our  industry.”  Carried  nem.  con. 
The  Insuiiance  on  Tea  Factojues. — The  Honorary 
Secretary  drew  the  attention  of  the  meeting  to  the 
fact  that  the  principal  Insurance  Companies  in  Lon- 
don had  raised  the  rates  of  premium  m South  India 
to  what  he  himself  could  not  but  think  an  unjustifi- 
able- extent,  a well  equipped  factory  now  costing 
some  Re.  1-4  to  Re  1-G  per  cent,  per  annum. 
There  was  considerable  discussion  on  the  subject, 
which,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Imray,  it  was  eventu- 
ally agreed  to  refer  to  the  Committee,  who  should 
have  full  power  of  action. 
BLACKSTONE  ESTATE  COMPANY, 
LIMITED. 
.STATUTORY  MEETING. 
The  statutory  general  meeting  of  tlie  Black- 
stone  Estate  Company,  Limited,  was  held  on  Jan. 
18th  at  No.  21  Baillie  Street — tlieofiicos  of  Messrs. 
Car.son  & Co.,  Agents  and  Secretaries.  Mr.  J.  N. 
Canijibell  presided,  and  the  otliers  present  were 
Messrs.  G.  J.  Jameson,  H.  Creasy,  J.  Guthrie  and 
E.  R.  Waldock. 
The  Secretary  having  read  the  notice  con- 
vening the  meeting. 
The  Chairman  said  tlie  Company  was  in- 
eorporated  on  the  25tli  of  January  1895,  anil 
therefore  it  was  nece.ssary  to  call  a general 
meeting  within  twelve  months  from  that  time. 
He  exjdained  that  the  jiresent  meeting  Avas 
simply  to  re-elect  Directors.  The  three  Directors 
who  retired,  he  stated,  were  eligible  for  re- 
eleetion  and  offered  themselves  for  such. 
Mr.  J.  GUTlir.iE  moved,  and  Mr.  E R. 
'NVaedock  seconded  that  Messrs.  J.  N.  Campbell, 
H.  Creasy  and  G.  .1.  Jameson  he  re-elected 
Directors  foi  the  present  year. — Carried  ncm.  con. 
The  Ch.uk.man  said  that  there  was  no  more 
business  before  that  meeting,  which  was  to  be 
adjourned  to  lay  the  accounts  before  the  share- 
holders, notice  of  such  adjournment  being  given 
to  the  shareholders,  whereupon 
Mr.  G.  J.  Ja.mk.son  jiroposed  and  Mr.  J. 
GuTHiiiE  seconded  that  the  meeting  be  ad- 
journed to  the  8th  jirox. — Carried  nan.  con. 
The  meeting  closed  with  a vote  of  thanks 
the  Chair  pro])Osed  by  Mr.  J.  Guthrie. 
