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to the capabilities of a specialist. His speciality is simply to discover the exact nature and life 
history of the fungus causing the disease. Many persons seem to think that once this is done he 
will be able to propose some simple wash or other treatment which will at once stamp out the disease 
where it already exists and prevent its re-appearance or its appearance in new places. This is far 
from being the case. The treatment of a fungous disease must generally be by improved cultivation, 
destruction of diseased plants, disinfection of the soil and surroundings, and preventive measures 
generally, but to cure plants already diseased is usually almost impossible. Whatever may be 
discovered about the life history of the fungus, the treatment of the disease will be much the same. 
Had the disease been dealt with when it first appeared many years ago it would not now be so wide- 
spread. There seems now but little chance of freeing the old red varieties from it in most districts 
of the Central and Uva Provinces. The Forastero varieties seem much more capable of resisting the 
disease; the planting of these varieties is extending, and it seems likely that they will gradually 
replace the old red cacao to a very barge extent. 
(7owr/«.M<s.— The export of oil shows an increase of G6,000 cwt. ; that of copra has more than 
doubled (10G,601 cwt. against .50,049 cwt. in 1896) ; that of dessicated cocoanut has increased from 
10,603,598 cwt. in 1896 to 12,054,453 cwt. ; that of coir has largely increased, and also that of poonac. 
The only export that shows a decrease is that of nuts, and this decrease is very small. The industry 
appears to be in a prosperous condition, but, like tea, the increase is becoming gradually less 
pronounced. 
Rubber. — The interest taken in the cultivation of Para rubber has received a very great 
impetus during the year, and the demand for seed has been enormously larger than the supply. 
These gardens form practically the only source of seed from mature trees. The total crop this year 
was rather over 100,000 seeds, of which 88,500 were sold to planters in Ceylon. 
As mentioned in last year’s report, experiments in tapping the trees at Henaratgoda have been 
carried on throughout the year. The results so far obtained are of some interest, and will shortly 
be published in one of the circulars issued by this Department. 
Garludovica palmafa. — A small experimental plot of this plant (see last year’s report) has 
been made at Peradeniya and a supply will shortly be available for distribution to persons xvho may 
wish to experiment with it. 
Rhea. — Considerable attention has been drawn to rhea during the year,. and several planters 
have experimented with its cultivation on a small scale. Plots of the twm chief varieties have been 
laid out at Peradeniya and the otlier gardens, and have grown well. Unfortunately the plants at 
Peradeniya have on several occasions been partly eaten down by cattle straying into the gardens 
during the night, owing to the want of a satisfactorj' fence, and it has thus been impossible to test 
the quality of the fibre. 
There seems a prospect of rhea becoming an important cultivation in Ceylon in those parts 
where there is an ample rainfall at all times of the year and a plentiful supply of manure, the heavy 
crops rapidly exhausting the soil. 
Camphor. — Mr. Nock reports : — 
The plants have continued to grow well at Hakgala, and some of them are now 9 ft. high. They require 
pruning, and any one desiring to experiment in the distillation of camphor from twigs and leaves can be supplied with 
a small quantity of material for the purpose. We have had very good accounts of the plants distributed in 1895 ; 
some of those in Galle District have already grown to a height of 12 ft. There have been numerous inquiries for 
plants during the year. 
Vanilla. — The comparatively high price of vanilla has given a stimulus to its cultivation in 
Ceylon, and a considerable number of plants have been put out during the year. 
Ipecacuanha. — The nurseries at Henaratgoda now contain about 2,000 young plants, most of 
which are available for distribution to those wishing to experiment with this new product. 
Vegetables. — The vegetable gardens have been considerably extended during the year, 
especially by the planting of as many varieties of native vegetables as possible. 
Fodder Plants. — The lucerne at Hakgala continues to do well. If grown as a garden plant and 
supplied with dressings of lime and manure it continues to give good and frequent crops for many 
years. Four small beds were sown in March, and gave three good crops before the end of the year. 
The new fodder plant, Desmodium tortuosum, the Florida beggar-weed, has grown fairly well 
at all the gardens. 
Fruit Trees at Hakgala. — -Mr, Nock reports : — 
A good many of the imported fruit trees have died during the year, some after the excessive rains at the end 
1896, and others after those in August, 1897. We have a good batch of strong plants of Cherimoyer, and it is 
.surprising that there is not mure call for them for planting between 3,000 and 5,000 ft. The red guava, Psidium 
Caltleymiwn, ripens in this district during August and September. It is a beautiful little fruit, and deserves to be 
cultivated much more extensively than it is. There is no doubt that by cultivation and selection it could be greatly 
improved in size and flavour. The apple-shaped guava. Psidium pomiferum, ripened a good crop in October and 
November, the flavour- and size being good. Several fruits measured 8J in. in circumference. The fruit, however, is 
comparatively light, the weight being only 4J to 5 ounces. Birds are very fond of the fruit, and protection must be 
afforded as soon as it begins to ripen. The English blackberries began to fruit in May and really bore well ; one 
spray had on it at the beginning of May no less than 107 berries and flowers in all stages. Given good .soil and 
cultivation, I see no reason -why this useful fruit should not do well in all up-country gardens. Apple trees suffer 
much from canker. As many as 45 fruits set upon one tree, but I regret to say most of them were stolen. Strawberries 
continued to grow and fruit well, but the weather during most part of the year has been far too wet for them to 
ripen properly. They require to be protected from birds, and also regularly mulched with clean straw and the fruit 
kept well off the ground. A quantity of plants were set out in February among the trees in the camphor plantation, 
but they have nearly all been destroyed by the Sambur deer. 
Ornamental Plants. — The handsome West African climber, Gamoensia maxima, flowered freely 
at Peradeniya this year, and we shall probably have plants for distribution during 1898. The 
Victoria regia plant was killed by the windy weather of the south-west monsoon. 
At Hakgala TFisAn-ht chinensis flowered well in February and March and again in December. 
Hydrangeas, dahlias, and camellias also did very well. 
Peradeniya, January 22, 1898. 
JOHN C. WILLIS, Director. 
