July r, 1891.] 
Supplement to the “ Tf apical AgncHliumt." 
S3 
being crowded into a short and heary rainy season, is 
that the rivers gain in erosive and transporting power, 
owing mainly to the increase in their volume, 
which may go on to such an extent that the lower 
reaches of the river become flooded. These periodic 
floods due to continuous heavy rains cause much 
damage to cultivators hy submerging their crops, 
thougli there is the advantage of a deposit of .silt 
to bo expected when the waters abate, which adds 
appreciably to tho fertility of the land. 
The “ washing out ” of soils on hilly land can of 
course bo mitigated to a very great extent by an 
intelligent system of drainage, but those land- 
owners who are unfortunate enough to cultivate 
within the inundation area of rivers, can do little 
to minimise the evil-effects of long-standing water 
on their crops. In these latter cases where gene- 
rally proper outlets for flood water are what are 
only ueepsary to avert the evil results of inunda- 
tions, it is manifestly the duty of the Government 
to see to the alteration of those natuniJ conditions 
which prevent the flawing off of this water. 
There aire, besides, other considerations than the 
fostering of the agricultural industry — for instance, 
the danger to health from stagnating water and 
decomposing vegetation — that should w’eigh with 
the Government- in undertaking the necessary 
nieasures, so far as they are practicable, to pre- 
vent if not the recurrence, at least the continuance 
of floods when they do occur. 
NOTES .PEOM_, A TRAVELLEE’S DIARY, 
IVhile travelling through IValapane in March 
last, and passing through some of the villages 
in the interior, 1 was struck by the novel 
appeHraiice they presented, owing to many of tho 
dwellings having sunflower plants, gay with 
golden blossoms, growing around them. On en- 
quiry I learnt that these plants had been raised 
hy some of the boys attending the Government 
School in the neighbourhood. The teacher of 
this institution had himself got up a pretty little 
garden of siinllower trees opposite the school- 
house I and it was ho who had distributed the 
seed among his jnipils, giving them instructions 
how to grow them, and explaining to them tho 
economic value of the trees. 
Insigniflcant a.s this hit of experience on my 
part may appear to he, it goes to show that there 
is a deal of good work to be done in introducing 
plants and trees from one part of the Island to 
the other, as well as totally new products that may 
be found suitable. Dhall, arrowroot, breadfruit 
and various kinds of yams can with advantage 
he introduced into those parts. It is just here 
that one sees the great need there Is for Agri- 
ciiltiinil Inspectors, who while itinerating will 
ascertain the wants of the inhabitants of remote 
villages, and lend the ctiltivators iuto the way 
of bettering their position. 
the MADU TREE. 
( Cycas Circinalia.) 
By W. a. Dh Silva. 
The Madu tree or the Ceylon Cycad grows 
commonly in uncultivated places. It has 
the appearance of a palm, and belongs to the 
Taxid family. This tree abounds in the jungles 
Dumbara, Kadugannawa and other districts. 
The Madu has a branchless stem, hut occa- 
Monully branched exceptions are met witli. 
Twelve to sixteen leaves spring up at a time 
rom the top of tho tree. When the first set of 
leaves mature, others come up in the same 
manner to replace them. 
The Cycas is a dioecious tree. The staminate 
and pistillate flotvera being borne on different 
plants. When the flowers come up they emit a 
peculiar nauseous smell. 
o. November and December, 
K le fruits resemble large arecanuts. The ripe 
rm 8 are sometimes chopped into pieces and 
ned, and a flour is obtained by pounding them, 
, outer shell and soaking in 
er. Tills flour resembles somewhat that of 
rice, hut has 11 peculiar smell though not of 
unpleasant taste. Sweetmeat and other pre- 
parations are made from Madu flour, which is 
generally much used ou account of certain 
edicimil properties it possesses, especially in 
Alleviating rheumatic pains. Dried Madu fruits 
are often sold lu the village bazaars at from 
SIX to eight cents per measure, about hundred 
fifty fnuts going to form a measure, 
he tender Madu leaves are covered with a 
glossy epidermis, end after this is removed they 
JH'e generally made into curries for use as food. 
I paid a casual visit to the garden of a 
Moorman in Walapane, and found that he had 
four or five prolific bread-fruit trees planted 
there. These plants he had brought wdth him 
all the way from Dodanduwa in the Southern Pro- 
vince. By means of a Government officer who 
will supply seeds of jak, bread-fruit, &c., and 
instruct and advise the cultivator us to the host 
means of growing them, the inhabitants of these 
unfortunate parts may be induced to grow such 
products as have been mentioned, in their chenas. 
But it is only by personal influence, and the in- 
fluence of a Government officer, that such results 
may be hoped to be brought about. 
Of planting-products, coffee is still represented 
in (he village of Walapane, the trees looking 
healthy enough, and giving promise of a good crop. 
Having been convinced that cocoa would thrive 
in most of the villages, and getting several of 
the villagers to promise that they would give it 
a trial, I intend sending tho village schoolmaster 
in Walapane a supply of cocoa seed for distribution 
among the schoolboys. The ubiquitous Moor- 
man is always on the look out, even in the 
remotest villages 1 have visited, to buy what coffee, 
cocoa, pepper, &c., he can get from the villagers. 
I cannot say that cotton gives promise of being 
a favourite with the village cultivator. 1 know 
of cases -where cotton was grown ou a small 
scale and a few pounds of lint takeu in, but tho 
main difticulty in these cases was the selling of 
the lint. The Moorman will not buy it, for good 
rimaous so far as ho is concerned, and it is not 
to be expected that a villager will take (will 
dare to take) a few potuids of cotton to the 
Kachclieri for sale. 
