July i, 1897 .] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
47 
These were commenced at Henaratgoda in December 
chiefly on a plantation of eleven or twelve year- 
old trees, which being planted only 12 ft. apart, are 
now much too crowded. About 150 of them will be 
sacrificed in the course of the experiments, leaving 
more room for the remainder. 
Several plants of Lagos rubber {Kickxia africam, 
Bentb.) ’vare received from Kew in 1896, but are not 
doing il. This species forms a stout tree, and is 
there'' :a suited to cultivation, but it will be a long 
time '.efore seed is available in quantity. 
G.t .nuDovicA PALMATA. — The attention of those in- 
terested in any of the planting or palm-leaf iudustries 
may be called to this plant, which grows readily at 
Peradeniya. From the leav'es, cut into strips and 
bleached, are plaited the well-known and expensive 
Panama hats. 
Rhea. — -The floating of a powerful company to work 
the Gomess patents has once more attracted atten- 
tion to this product, and a good deal of it has been 
planted in the Colony. It may be well to point out 
that it is still an open question how far it is likely 
to succeed here ; large areas should not be planted 
without preliminary trial ; only regions of uniform 
climate and with plentiful supplies of manure are 
well suited to the plant. It is my intention to open 
experimental plots of different varieties at some of 
our Gardens during 1897. 
Hibiscus tiliaceus (Sinhalese, Beli-patta). — This 
local plant, abundant in swampy low-country land, es- 
pecially near the coast, is worthy of attention as a 
fibre plant. The fibre of the inner bark is an ex- 
cellent substitute for “ Cuba bast,’’ so much used by 
horticulturists. We are indebted to Mr. Charles 
Byrde, of Ambalangoda, for a sample bundle of the 
fibre, which has proved very useful for tying and 
general garden use. Mr. Byrde states that the fibre 
is easily prepared. 
Divi-divi. — This plant {Ccesalpinia coriaria) is now 
doing well at Anuradhapura, and might be worth 
the attention of cultivators in the dry regions of the 
Island. There is a considerable import of the pods 
into Great Britain for tanning purposes. 
Coca (Ekythroxylon Coca. — Some inquiry has been 
made for this plant during the year. At present 
prices its cultivation should be profitable, but any 
large production would probably reduce the price of 
the drug (cocaine) far more rapidly than was the 
case with quinine, there being much less use for 
cocaine than quinine. 
Camphor. — The batch of seeds received this year 
failed to germinate, and we shall not have any 
further plants for distribution for some time. 
160 large plants from the old nursery at Hakgala 
were planted out above the plantation made last year, 
the plants have made a good start and some of them 
are now 5 ft. high. 
Vegetables.— An attempt was made during the last 
few months of the year to form at each of the Gardens 
a vegetable garden containing all the native vegetables 
as well as those exotics which would be likely to suc- 
ceed, and we have now a fairly good collection. Many 
tropical vegetables (and fruits) are promising subjects 
for horticultural work; if they were bred and se- 
lected as carefully as has been done with European 
vegetables, the result in time would probably be the 
obtaining of a number of first-rate table delicacies. 
There is a great opening in this direction for nursery- 
men, planters, and others in the tropics who cultivate 
upon a large scale. I hope to be able to do a little at 
times in these Gardens, but we have neither the space 
nor the skilled labour to do much. 
Chocho. — 'We received a few fruits of the white 
variety in February from the Botanic Gardens at 
Trinidad. Two plants are now doing well, and bear- 
ing a good crop. This variety will grow and crop in 
the low-country, whereas the green one does not do 
well below 2,000 ft. It is hoped, therefore, tLc i 
it may prove a useful addition to our low-couaby 
vegetables. 
An unfounded rumour is going about among the 
natives in the hill districts that this fruit is some- 
times poisonous, and that its use produces rheuma- 
tism. There is no truth, so far as is known, in 
these statements. Thousands of families in the West 
Indies feed on this vegetable throughout the 
season, and no ill effects have been observed. 
Lucerne, — The small plot at Hakgala has continued 
to crop well. At elevations above 4,000 ft., when 
once established and well cared for, this useful fodder 
plant will give good returns for many years. 
Fruit Trees at Hakgala.— Mr. Nock reports : — 
As last year the crops of peaches, figs, and apples 
were destroyed by the burst of the south-west mon- 
soon. Fruit trees of all sorts made rapid growth 
during the months of April and May, and judging 
from the wood then made any gardener would pre- 
dict a good crop next year, but I fear it will be the 
same as the last few years. They do well until the 
esd of the year; then comes the hot sun and dries 
up the buds and the most likely wood dies. 
At the end of May several very good fruits of the 
Morelia cherry ripened, and from June to September 
English blackberries fruited well. In June a few 
very fine fruit of a large round plum, known here 
as the Ooty plum, were gathered. They were of 
handsome shape and good colour ; the largest weighed 
1 } oz., and measured 6 inches in circumference one 
W'ay. The three next largest weighed 5| oz. 
Ornamental Plants. — The new African plant, S'aint- 
paiilia ionantha, which forms a very pretty pot plant, 
is now well established and flowering freely. Men- 
tion rnay also be made of the success obtained with 
Victoria regia at Peradeniya. There are many pieces 
of water in the low-country where this magnificent 
plant should grow well. Its seeds are used in Brazil 
as a source of flour, and are known as Mais del aqua 
12. — herbarium, museum, library, 
AND laboratory. 
Herbarium. — A considerable number of specimens 
have been mounted and laid in their proper places. 
The draughtsman made eighteen finished drawings 
of Ceylon plants and two of foreign orchids, in addi- 
tion to attending to the Herbarium and Library. 
Mr. Nock made a collecting tour to the Horton 
plains district, and the draughtsman two tours, one 
to the Anuradhapura District and one to the neigh- 
bourhood of Ratnapura. 
Museum. — A few additions have been made during 
the year, but none of special importance. 
Library. — This has been largely increased by the 
books presented to it by the late Dr. Trimen on his 
retirement. The available space in the Herbarium 
is now becoming overcrowded, and it will 
be necessary during the coming year to incorporate 
the room under the centre of the Herbarium (next 
to the dark rooom) for purposes of extension. I 
propose to cement the floors, Ac., and construct a 
light staircase from the Herbarium, so that books 
and specimens may be carried under cover from one 
to the other. This addition will allow room for ex- 
pansion for a few more years, after which it will be 
necessary to make an addition to the building. The 
roof of the Herbarium requires repairs, as also that 
of the Museum. 
Flora op Ceylon. — As mentioned at the beginning 
of this report, this work was left unfinished at Dr. 
Trimen’s death. Three of the four volumes are 
published, and the plates and a portion of the manus- 
cript of vol. IV. are complete. Application has been 
made to the authorities of the Royal Gardens, Kew, 
for assistance in completing the work. 
Laboratory. — This has been occupied during ten 
months of the year by Mr. W. G. Freeman, of 
the Royal College of Science, Loudon, who has 
been working at several problems in the anatomy 
and development of tropical plants. Several students 
and otliers from abroad are expected during 
1897, and the available space will be taxed to the 
utmost. A separate building is required which would 
be more suitable for scientific work, and would enable 
the present small room to be used in extending the 
Museum. At present most botanical students and e.x- 
peits from Europe travel to Java for scientific work, 
but if suitable accommodation were provided here 
there is no doubt that many would be attracted to 
Ceylon. 
