May 2, 1898.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
757 
CARDAMOMS ; COFFEE. 
South Mysore Planters’ Association. 
The annual general meeting was held in Relur on 
3rd March, and from the Report, we quote : — 
The scheme for the employment of an Agricultural 
Chemist has practically fallen through for want of sup- 
port. This is themore to be regretted, as from enquiries 
made it appears that the project would not have involved 
30 lu’ge an expenditure as was anticipated, and had 
only three or four Associations come forward with offers 
of help, it might have been carried through. 
The Currency Question. — The persistent efforts of 
the Government of India to bolster up the value of 
the rupee to nearly double its intrinsic worth is a 
source of great anxiety to producers. The new gold 
Note Bill, and the remarks of the Finance Minister, 
show plainly their determination to keep up the rate 
of exchange, and indicate the possible introduction 
later on of a gold standard. With regard to the 
U.P A. proposed circular letter, this Association, 
while it agreed that it was advisable to hold consul- 
tation with the Chambers of Commerce, Banks and 
other Mercantile institutions, deprecated the adoption 
of a definite policy and recourse to any action until 
the views of such bodies were ascertained 
Cardamoms. — The crop this season has been better 
than last, but prices are now lower, I have expressed 
our thanks to Government for settling the re-assess- 
ment question. 
Liboirr has again been plentiful, and is, I think, 
likely to be so during the coming year ; the scale of ad- 
vances has already been reduced, and I think a combined 
effort should be made to lower the rate of wages. 
Leaf Disease. — Mr. J. L. Stewart spoke as follows ; 
“ Gentlemen, I have an explanation to ask for and 
a few words to say about a very injudicious and 
pessimistic speech made by one of our delegates, Mr. 
Harris, at the U.P. A. Meeting last year. This speech 
has caused an unnecessary small panic among agents, 
and consequently been the cause of much trouble and. 
annoyance to men who depend on agents for money 
to work their estates. I use the word unnecessary 
advisedly, as after nearly twenty years’ experience 
of coffee. I can honestly say that I consider that 
leaf-disease is no more virulent now than it was when 
I first came out to this country. 
Mr. Harris replied : “ Gentlemen, I find it hard to 
believe in the sincerity of Mr. Stewart’s remarks. If 
he considered that my speech would have such dele- 
terious effects as he has’described, why did he not at 
once denounce it ? instead of waiting six months 
when the mischief, if any, would be done. 
I believe myself that by judicious manuring and care- 
ful cultivation we shall successfully contend with the 
ravages of leaf-disease. We have two things 
in our favour as compared with Ceylon, a climate 
subject to long droughts, and a certain isolation 
as regards the positron of our estates. 
The present season bears out this opinion : 
leaf-disease has been present in a very mild form, and 
prospects may be said to be decidedly favourable.” 
Messrs. J. G. Hamilton and J. A. Harris were re- 
elected President and Honorary Secretary ; Messrs. 
L. Crawford, G. Horne, J. G. Hamilton, J. A. Harris 
and W. H. Scott were elected to form the Committee, 
and Messrs. Graham Anderson, E. M. Playfair and 
W. PI. Scott as extra delegates to the U.P.A. 
— 
To Make Bosf.lla Jam. — Pick the red calyx from 
the seed-pods ; boil the latter in sufficient water to 
quite cover them until the jelly is extracted, and 
they look dry. Strain them, and weigh the liquour 
and the red fruit. Thou boil the fruit in the liquor 
until it is tender. Add as much weight of sugar as 
thece was of liquor and red fruit before the second 
boiling, and bo'l again until it becomes jelly. This 
is a indder jam than when the seed-pods are not 
used, but not so good a colour. Boil the red fruit 
in sufficienl water to cover it. When tender weigh 
It. Add equal wr’ght of fine white sugar, and boil 
till it sets, — enoland A<jricultural Jaurml for March, 
PLANTING NOTES. 
The Financial and Tea Prospect.— A mer- 
chant writes Tliere will be a very strong 
case against the Government sinking unprolit- 
ably million.s of rupees. Producers will soon be 
clamouring (and ju.stly .so) for reduced railway 
rates, if low prices and liig-h exchange continue. 
What will then become of the anticipated annual 
surplus revenue.” 
Oil Engines fob Estates. — Mr. Wm. Forsythe has 
had a twenty-four brake horse power Campbell engine 
at work on Pambegamma estate for about eighteen 
month past, and is thoroughly satisfied with its 
working. He tells us that the complaints as to the 
complicated nature of oil engine arid their liability 
to get out of order do not apply to the Campbell 
engine, by which he swears as a model of simplicity. 
Daring the eighteen months the engine has consumed' 
3,0C3 gallons of oil, for which Mr, Forsythe has had 
to pay R7.50 duty — at the rate of twenty-five cents a 
gallou. The rebate of the duty will, he estimates make a 
redaction in the cost of working of about forty per cent. 
The Ncrth Mysore Planters’ Association.' 
— We congratulate a very respected ex-Ceylon plan- 
ter, Mr. E. C. Bolton, on his election as Chair- 
man of this bodj’, or rather we should congra- 
tulate the A.ssociation on securing so good and 
experienced a President. Mr. Bolton’s letter to ns 
will be read with interest by old friends in Ceylon; 
and w’e now proceed to quote from the Rejrorb of 
his Association and of the proceedings held on 
2Sth February last : — 
Accounts. — In spite of the fact, that one of the 
largest Proprietors has withdrawn his estates from 
the roll of the Association, the inooms has been 
sufficient to pay our expenses and leave the Reserve 
Fund of R1,000 intact. The number of estates now 
sabscribiug to the Association is 59. It is with deep 
regret that we have to record the deaths of Messrs. 
Brett, W. Allardice, Sen. McMaster and Lee during 
the year under review. ^ 
Baggani Toddy Trees.— The objectionable Memo- 
randum No. 215 issued by the Excise Supervisor last 
October, relating to toddy drawing on Coffee estates 
has, on account of the prote-ts raised by the Asso- 
ciation been cancelled in the Malnaad, until the end 
of the current official year. 
Agricultural Chemist.— The Mysore Government 
through the Dewan has expressed its intention of pro- 
viding an Agricultural Chemist for the Province. The 
mrtter is, at present, under the consideration of Dr 
Evans, head of the Geological Department, who has 
kindly undertaken thedifiicnlt task o' solectincr a com- 
petent man. ° 
Scale Pests.— Although we are not at present 
afflicted with the green bug, Your committee are 
pleased to announce that sufficient funds have been 
collected to send Mr. H. O. Newport of the Lower 
Pa’acess to Australia ; to bring over a consignment 
of lady birds, with which it is hoped that the pest 
may be eventually exterminated. 
Mr. Parton and Mr. Leslie proposed, a vote of thanks 
to Mr. O. Scot Skirving for his services as President 
during the past year, and regretted the cause which 
hid prevented bis attendance at the Meeling. The 
Crmmittee was then balloted for with the following 
result:— Mr. B. C. Bolton -President, Members — 
Mr. F.J. Parton, Mr. C. H. Browne, Mr. F. Clifford 
Mr. W. H. Maynard, Mr.H. M. Northey, Mr. H. PiU 
kington. 
Mr. Bolton returned thanks for the unexpected 
honour done him and while regretting the absence of 
abler men to fill Hie position, aisured the meeting 
that no efforts on his part would be wanting to merit 
the confidence placed in him. ° 
Agricultural Chemist.— Read letter from Mr Max- 
well Maynard. Resolved That the Honorary Se- 
cretary be requested to communicate again with the 
Mysore Government in the appointment cf an A°ri. 
cultural Chemist tor the Province, urgingthe neceswtv 
of early action in th§ matlier,’* ' ^ 
