Sept. 1 , 1897 .] 
Supi^lement to the “ Tropical Agriculturist." 
219 
of the grounds. I have often had to meet the 
reaproach that the premises are not maintained in 
an efficient state ; but liow could this be expected 
■with only two gai'den coolies at my disposal I 
see no reason -why the premises should be behind 
the Victoria Park or Museum grounds in efficiency, 
both of which institutions are allowed the neces- 
sary votes for upkeep. 
Otiginally the school had an isolated situation 
with a good deal of waste land lying about it ; now 
it is the centre of a much-frequented public resort, 
and it is a pity that under the circumstances it 
should wear a neglected [appearence. Apart from 
this consideration, it is important that the sur- 
roundings of the students should present lessons 
in neatness and method ; and the garden offers pos- 
sibilities of being w’ell laid out. I would suggest 
that a staff of six {i.e., an additional four) outdoor 
coolies — two good gardeners and four ordinary 
coolies— be attached to the school. The services 
of these men would be also available for helping in 
such cultivation as the students may be engaged 
in, ns it is a difficult matter to carry on systematic 
work of any extent with the limited amount of 
labour derivable from the students. 
Improvement of Native Implements- — In the 
early days of the school, and before it came into 
my charge, a large number of English ploughs 
were purchased both for the school and for the use 
of the agricultural in.structors, but these imple- 
ments were eventually found to be unsuitable for 
the puiposes of native cultivation. The purchasing 
of these ploughs, before at least carrying out pre- 
liminary trials with specimen implements, was a 
mistake. Sub.sequ.ently a specially-designed 
l)lough— called the '• Cingalee plough ” — -was con- 
structed, which, it was thought, would meet the 
requirements of paddy cultivators, but even this 
implement did not find favour with them, as it was 
considered too heavy. Since then no ploughs 
have been purchased in connection with the work 
of the school, in spile, however, of past failures, 
I think that there is still an opportunity of doing 
good work in the way of facilitating and im- 
proving the quality of the work of the native cul- 
tivator in the preparation of his land, by further 
attention to the question of implements. The 
great point to be attained in the matter of ploughs 
is to persuade the cultivator to adopt an imple- 
ment that turns over the soil, which the so-called 
plough commonly in use does not do, since it has 
no mould-board — an essential element in every 
plough. Another mistake that was made in the 
endeavour to supersede the native implement was 
to force a novelty in the shape of a foreign plough 
on the cultivator. The better way of going to 
work would have been to improve upon the defec- 
tive implement, and, though earlier alterations may 
not have been sufficiently effective, to gradually 
evolve the most approved plough for local require- 
ments, so that the operation of ploughing might 
be more thoroughly and quickly done than it is 
now : the modern ICnglish plough ha.s been the 
outcome of such gradual evolution. Another 
matter which policy would have suggested in deal- 
ing with notoriously conservative class is, that the 
improved implement should have been locally 
manufactured. 1 believe that a plough which will 
meet the requirements of the native cultivator can 
be made locally. I have had ploughs weighing 
only 24 or 25 lb. constructed by native black- 
smiths, and these have worked and worn well. I 
would suggest that the opportunity be afforded to 
the school for making another attempt, on the 
lines I have indicated, towards the improvement 
of the native implements now in use, as well as 
the introduction, if possible, of other implements 
and machines — simple forms cf sowing and drill- 
ing machines such ns are now in use in India, for 
instance— which are calculated to improve the 
condition of native agriculture. For a beginning, 
specimens of these latter might be secured for the 
school for trial and report, and if found suitable 
one or two of each might be kept at convenient 
centres, such as Kachcheries, and on application 
being made to the officers connected therewith the 
use of the implements or machines allowed and, if 
necessary, a small fee charged. Again, by exhi- 
biting select implements and machines, and 
demonstrating their uses and advantages at agri- 
cultural shows or special gatherings convened at 
suitable centres, much can be done to bring them 
to the notice of cultivators. 
Neiu and improved varieties of Seeds and Plants. 
— Another important matter about which the 
School of Agriculture should concern itself is the 
distribution of seeds and plants. It is of great 
importance that paddy cultivators should be given 
facilities for exchange of seed and for the purchase 
of fresh seed from other districts than their own 
as well as for procuring new varieties of seed 
which might with advantage be introduced into 
the Island from abroad. There are varieties of 
paddy not to be obtained in Ceylon which, owing 
to their possessing special characters suited to the 
special conditions which obtain in particular dis- 
tricts, can be introduced into the Island to the 
benefit of cultivators. In introducing such new 
varieties it might be arranged that before distri- 
buting the seed (which as imported would be a 
comparatively small quantity) among growers, a 
crop should be raised under the auspices of the 
Government Agents. 1 ndeed, any measure directed 
towards the improvement of native agriculture 
must largely depend for its success upon the help 
and co-operation of the Revenue Officers, Seeds 
of other desirable grain or food crops and seeds 
and plants of fruit trees suitable for cultivation 
here should be procured and kept at the scliool 
and offered for sale at reasonable rates, so that the 
country may be benefited by the growth of a 
larger variety, and of improved and new kinds, of 
food crops and fruit trees. There is much that we 
can do in this way in improving native agricul- 
ture and in encouraging fruit culture in the 
Island, by giving facilities to would-be growers for 
procuring seeds and plants which at present they 
do not know how or where to get. In certain 
remote parts of the Island such well-known food- 
supplying trees as the jak and breadfruit are 
unknown, while arrowroot is unknown in other 
parts. It will thus be seen that there is a good 
deal to be done even in helping to spread the cul- 
tivation of indigenous and naturalized trees with 
immense benefit to the poorer classes in remote 
districts of the Island. 
Publications: Advantages of circulating Leaflets. 
— I would also suggest that pamphlets, bulletins, 
and leaflets containing information of value to the 
agriculturist, with reference to me; hods of cul- 
