218 
Bupplement to the Tropical AgriculhiristT 
[Sept. 1, 1897. 
or (what is simpler) by abstracting some of the 
cream by a few turns of the cream separator; and 
(2) that milk abnormally rich in cream has a spe- 
cific gravity below the normal. In the face of these 
paradoxical results it will be admitted that the 
lactometer may often lead its owner astray. My 
opinion of the in.strument is founded on my own 
experience of its use and on numerous careful tests 
that 1 have carried out ; but if any one desires to 
have the views of an acknowledged authority on 
the subject, I would refer him to Dr. Wauklyn, 
who, in his work on “Milk Analysis,” speaks in 
thiswise: — “From a careful consideration of the 
whole subject 1 am convinced that one of the most 
necessary steps to be taken in milk analysis is to 
abandon the use of the lactometer.” 
Statement (J. shows the work of the Dairy during 
the year and needs no explanation. 
During 1896, 18 cows were purchased at a cost 
of R2,510, while 22 cows and 25 calves (9 with their 
mothers) were sold, the sum realized after paying 
all the incidental expenses of the sale being 
Rl,257 06. 
D. is a financial statement for the Dairy Farm 
(including Government Dairy, Dairy grass lands, 
and Model Farm) for the year 1896. 
Statement E. shows the financial position of the 
Dairy Farm in its relation to Government. 
F. is a statement of the assets and liabilities of 
the Dairy Farm. In this last statement no credit is 
taken for a sum ot R4,400 which was paid out of 
Dairy Funds as compensation to the late lessee of 
the Model Farm, though the amount is recoverable 
as value of the “ good will ” from any future 
lessees. 
Grass Lands Attached to the Dairy. 
These lauds, cultivated with Mauritius grass, 
constitute the chief source of the Dairy’s grass 
supply. The area under regular cultivation covers 
an extent of 20 acres. The net income for the year 
was R776, but this amount should be greatly en- 
hanced as the result of new arrangements for 
working the lands next year. 
The Model Fap.m. 
In the management of the Model Farm (about 
220 acres in extentl I have had. valuable assistance 
from Mr. Samarauayaka, an Assistant Master in 
the School of Agriculture. The total receipts of the 
Farm in 1894 wereR2,506 90 ; in 1895, R3,001‘36; 
while in 1896 they amounted to R4,269'72. 
The expenditure incurred solely on Farm accoun t 
was R403’89, but an additional sum of R849 77 had 
to be expended on account of the dry cattle 
sent there from time to time from the Dairy, so 
that the total expenditure amounted to Rl,253'66, 
leaving a credit balance of R3,016 06-. Deducting 
from this a sum of Rl, 350 payable annually as rent 
to Government, the net income from the Farm 
stands at Rl,666'06. 
The pasture land at the Model Farm is not of 
the best character, being considered by the Veteri- 
nary Surgeon too low-lying and wet for the cattle. 
With the leasing of the Havelock Race-course by 
the Dairy there will be less occasion for using the 
Model Farm for pasturing purposes. 
The greater part of the high lands of the Farm 
were during the year laid out as golf links, and 
named after His Excellency the Governor “ The 
JRidgeway Links,” 
The Havelock Racecourse. 
This was taken on lease by the Dairy from Octo- 
ber. It covers an area of over 80 acres, and affords 
good pasturing for the stock, thus enabling the 
Manager of the Dairy to make a reduction in his 
expenditure on grass for “ soiling ” The proxi- 
mity of the racecourse to the Dairy is its chief 
merit, making it possible for it to be used as an 
exercising ground for the milking cows as well as 
the rest of the stock. In this way it becomes of 
special value to the Dairy, which has no suitable 
land for exercising cattle on the premises. A 
rental of R60 per mensem is paid to the Ceylon 
Turf Club for the monopoly of the grazing. 
C. DRIEBERG, B.A., F.H.A.S., 
Saperintendent. 
Report by the Superintendent of the School of 
Agriculture, Colombo, submitting suggestions 
for the re-organizing and better euquipping of 
the School, and for carrying on the work of 
the Agricultural Branch of the Educational 
Department on more practical lines. 
Introductory.— the School of Agriculture 
was established in 1884, the departmental policy, 
which has been pursued in the attempt to bring 
the native cultivators of the Island under the in- 
fluence of modern agricultural teaching, as well as 
to further their interests by adopting such 
measures as would tend to facilitate their work 
and improve their condition, has virtually been 
left to the agricultural instructors to work out. It 
must needs be inferred, however, from the action 
of Government in discontinuing the instructors, 
that the plan hitherto followed, whether owing to 
the nature of the policy pursued or the manner in 
which it was sought to carry in into effect, has 
been found wanting. Under the circumstances I 
deem it my duty to submit an alternative scheme, 
drawn up on more practical lines, and, as 1 con- 
sider, better calculated to benefit cultivators in 
Ceylon. The failure of a first attempt to reach the 
native agriculturist, so far from deterring the 
Department from persevering in its efforts, and 
warranting the desertion of the cause of native 
agriculture, would, on the other hand, seem rather 
to call for a fresh attempt on uew lines, which 
later experience may suggest. For this reason I 
would urge that the vote for agricultural instruc- 
tors be not allowed to lapse nor be appropriated 
for other purposes, but utilized for the re-organ- 
izing and better equipping of the School of 
Agriculture, and for carrying on the work of the 
Agricultural Branch of the Educational Depart- 
ment with better effect. 
Site —The availability of the old Normal School 
buildings no doubt suggested the idea of locating 
the School of Agriculture where it now stands, but 
the site, as far as its suitability for agricultural 
experiments is considered, has proved an unfortu- 
nate selection. The extremely poor character of 
the soil and the difficulties that stand in the way 
of draining the land have been serious obstacles to 
the success of the practical part of the work of the 
school. 
Staff of Coolies and upkeep of Grounds. — At pre- 
sent the staff of servants is composed of a mes-. 
senger or peon, a room boy and indoor cooly, and 
two outdoor coolies. It will thus be seen that 
there are only two hands available for the upkeej^' ; 
