M\rch  I,  1897,] 
Supplement  tn  the  '•'Tropical  Agriculturists 
653 
corded  rainfall  was  at  Hainbantota,  viz.,  6‘08  in. 
The  heaviest  rainfall  on  any  one  day  was  that 
recorded  onHorakelle  Estate,  CHlaw,  viz.,  9T5  in. 
In  December  the  highe.st  rainfall  for  the  month 
(according  to  the  Director  of  Diiblic  Works’  re- 
turn) was  at  Itukarn  in  the  Eastern  Province, 
viz.,  57’84  in.,  and  the  lowest  at  Tangalla,  viz.,  .5'47 
in.  ; while  tlie  heaviest  rainfall  on  any  single  day 
was  that  recorded  at  Diickwari,  in  tlie  Central 
Province,  viz  , 12 '32  in. 
JADOO  FIBRE. 
AVe  are  glad  to  be  able  to  announce  the  receipt 
of  a quantity  of  Jadoo  fibre,  in  pre.ssed  bales,  from 
E.veter,  the  headquarters  of  the  .Tadoo  Company, 
Limited.  In  our  last  issue  we  e.xpressed  our 
willingness  to  forward  small  quantities  to  those 
who  may  wish  to  give  a trial  to  this  new  and 
highly-spoken-of  growing  medium.  The  price  of 
the  Jadoo  fibre  per  60  bushels  (about  one  ton)  is 
£5 -10.  F.  O.  B.  London,  Liverpool,  or  South- 
ampton. The  following  are  some  directions  for 
the  use  of  the  fibre 
Always  use  the  J idoo  in  a moist  condition. 
I he  Sowing  of  both  lea  and  Coffee  in  Jadoo 
should  be  carried  out  exactly  the  same  as  in  earth  ; 
put  a small  quantity  of  Jadoo  into  the  trench, 
making  a layer  about  three  inches  deep,  sow  the 
seed  in  it,  and  cover  lightly  with  earth.  A three- 
bushel  sack  of  Jadoo  should  be  sufficient  for 
450  plants  in  this  way,  and  can  be  used  again  and 
again  for  fresh  sowings. 
For  growing  “ supplies”  of  Tea  or  Coffee  in 
baskets — one-half  Jadoo  should  be  used,  and  this 
should  be  placed  at  bottom  of  the  basket. 
For  old  Coffee  or  Tea  Plante. — Scrape  away 
carefully  about  three  inches  of  earth  round  the 
tree,  and  mi.x  the  earth  so  removed  with  about  f 
peck  of  Jadoo,  replace  it  and  cover  over  with 
leaves,  &a,  so  as  to  retain  the  moisture  in  the 
Jadoo.  The  same  treatment  should  be  adopted 
for  Oranges  and  Mangoes,  in  every  ca.se  taking 
care  that  there  is  a sufficient  covering  of  earth  or 
leaves  to  retain  the  moisture  in  the  Jadoo.  Where 
Coffee  is  not  grown  on  the  “ supplies”  system,  a 
very  small  quantity  of  Jadoo  should  be  placed  in 
the  holes  in  which  the  Coffee  seedlings  are 
planted.  This  will  bring  them  to  maturity 
sooner  and  make  the  trees  healthier. 
For  Sugar  Cane. — A small  quantity  should  be 
put  at  the  bottom  of  the  holes  in  which  Sugar 
Cane  cuttings  are  inserted,  thus  ensuring  the 
striking  of  the  cane,  stimulating  root  action,  and 
retaining  moisture  around  the  roots  during  the  dry 
season.  A handful  of  Jadoo  round  the  cutting  is 
all  that  is  needed,  as  it  is  not  wanted  as  a manure, 
but  simply  to  encourage  formation  of  roots. 
Sugar  Cane  has  been  rooted  strongly  in  Jadoo 
in  10  days. 
For  Indigo. — A very  small  quantity  of  Jadoo 
Fibre,  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the  drills  in  which 
Indigo  is  sown,  will  have  a marked  effect  on  the 
crop. 
For  Tobacco  it  will  be  found  invaluable,  both 
for  forming  beds  to  sow  into,  and  also  when  the 
young  plants  are  transplanted  to  permanent  po.si- 
tions. 
For  potting  foliage  and  flowering  plants  Jadoo 
fibre  is  highly  recommended.  The  fibre  should  be 
pre.ssed  tightly  round  the  roots  of  the  plant.  As 
bought,  it  is  said  to  have  sufficient  in  it  to  be  fit 
for  use,  but  if  it  has  become  dry  it  should  be 
moistured  slightlj'  before  using  ; in  any  ca.se  the 
plant  should  be  watered  directly  after  potting. 
Afterwards  care  should  he  taken  not  to  over- 
water. Plants  growing  in  earth  can,  it  is  said,  be 
transi)lanted  into  Jadoo  fibre  without  much  risk. 
To  do  this  successfully  it  is  recommended  that  the 
plants  should  be  kept  drj’  for  24  hours  so  that  the 
earth  will  come  off  easily  from  the  roots  which 
should,  after  the  plant  is  taken  out,  be  plunged 
into  tepid  water  and  gently  moved  about  until  the 
earth  is  all  washed  off.  Care  should,  of  course, 
be  taken  not  to  injure  the  roots.  The  new  pot 
should  be  filled  to  one-third  its  capacity  with  the 
damp  fibre,  and  the  roots  of  the  plant  to  be  grown 
spread  out  on  it,  while  the  rest  of  the  fibre  should 
be  pressed  down  on  the  top  of  them  so  as  to  com- 
pletely fill  the  pot.  The  plant  should  be  shaded 
at  first  and  gradually  exposed  to  sun  and  air. 
Jadoo  fibre  has  the  advantages  of  being  a clean 
substance,  of  being  able  to  retain  moisture,  and 
supply  the  plants  grown  in  it  with  nutriment; 
and  it  is  further  stated  of  it  that  it  gives  a 
better  colour  to  flowers,  and  a richer  and  deeper 
texture  to  the  foliage,  causing  the  marking 
on  leaves  to  come  out  clearer. 
We  have  been  supplied  with  a number  of  copies 
of  testimonials  as  to  the  value  of  Jadoo  fibre  in 
rai.sing  coffee,  tea,  cocoa  and  orange  seedlings. 
To  some  of  our  subscribers  interested  in  the  new 
growing  medium,  we  were  able  to  forward  leaf- 
lets containing  testimonials  and  other  infor- 
mation regarding  the  fibre,  with  the  lastbssueof 
the  Agricultural  Magazine. 
We  should  conclude  this  notice  by  e.xtracting  a 
passage  from  Col.  Halford  Thompson’s  lecture  on 
Jadoo  Fibre  at  the  People’s  Palace,  which  refers 
to  the  manufacture  of  the  substance  : — 
“ The  foundatioti  of  it  is  what  is  known  as  ‘ peat 
moss’  which  is  exceedingly  spongy  and  capable 
of  absorbing  into  its  compo.sitiou  any  chemicals 
into  which  one  may  wish  to  impregnate  it.  The 
peat  moss  is  boiled  with  certain  chemicals.  The 
exact  nature  of  these  chemicals  I will  not 
allude  to  in  this  lecture, but  it  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  in  the  composition  of  Jadoo, 
every  chemical  element  is  present  that  under  any 
circumstances  is  required  for  plant  food,  and  to 
ensure  the  thorough  amalgamation  and  decom- 
position of  these  chemicals  the  fibre  is  fermented 
in  a particular  way  after  the  boiling  process  is 
completed.  It  is  on  the  careful  carrying  out  of 
this  fermentation,  and  checking  it  at  a certain 
point,  that  the  success  of  Jadoo  depends.” 
We  cai\  only  hope  that  those  who  try  the 
fibre  will  find  that  it  pos.sesses  all  the  valuable  and 
useful  properties  claimed  for  it. 
HEPATITIS  (LIVER  DISEASE)  IN  (JATTI/':— 
(A  SO-UALLED  OBSCURE  DISEASE). 
In  the  January  number  of  the  “ -Vgricultural 
Magazine’’  a note  is  pul)lished  on  a little  known 
disease  among  cattle  ; it  runs  : “ A curious  form 
of  disease  about  which  practically  nothing  is 
known  occurs  among  stock  in  Ceylon.  Among  the 
