TI-I B M AO A Z 1 N B 
OP 
TRG $(^B0L OF AGRIOULTURG, 
COLOMBO. 
Added as ‘ Siqiplcmcnt monthhi to the TliOriGAL AGIiWULTURIST,” 
The followiii" pages inchKle the contents of the Magazine of the School of 
Ag)'icullurc for November : — 
OCCASIONAL NOTES, 
I S bus ulruftdy boon anuoimeocl by 
the daily pnpurs, 15,000 copies of 
tbo first Agrioiiltunil Information 
Leaflet were circulated. So fur as 
circnlntion goes tlie promoters 
of the project of issuing tlioso leaflets may con- 
gratulate thomsolvo.s on its success. Up to date 
orders have lieen received for over 15,000 co])ies 
each month, and these from the “ Sinhalese ” pro- 
vinces only. Great help in the matter of circulation 
has been given by Government oflicials, school- 
masters, agricultural instructors, private land- 
owners, ami in fact all classes, who have given 
orders of from 1 to KK) each, and iironiised to take 
advantage of land .sales and other largo gatherings, 
journeys through the villages, schoohs and such 
means which' facilitate distribution. It is 
satisfactorj' to note that even the modest 
charge of 1 cent per copy will seldom bo 
incurred by the goiyas thom.selves, to whom 
the infoniration given is offered in as simple 
a form as possible. Under existing circura.stances 
the be.st available moans for circulating agricul- 
tural leaflets have been secured, and though it 
might be. considered by some that a more per- 
fect method for tboir circulation can be adopted, 
the fact remains that the utmost bus been done 
that can be done, and that as a imvnte enter- 
prise the project lias met with as much success 
as can be expected. With their present circulation, 
and considering the stipport given to the leaflets, 
it will be surprising if the information they 
embody does not reach almost every cultivator 
in tho Sinhalese Provinces, 
It is a matter of great urgency that a spraying 
machine — a modified form of the Strawsonisor 
should bo secured by the Government for special 
use in paddy-fields infested by insect pests — in tho 
interests of the paddy cultivator os well as in its 
owninterests,ina8muchaa a reduced yield of padd.v 
means a reduced income to the Government. If 
someone thoroughly acquainted with the peculiar 
conditions under which padily is cultivated be 
deputed to arrange with tho manufacturers of 
theso spraying machine.s to construct one suitable 
for use on piaddy land, there should bo no difliculty 
in getting the desired machine. Dr. Neal, the 
entomologist, says that nothing has been done 
in practical entomology that has shown better 
results than the u.se of emulsions containing 
kerosine or insoluble jioison held in suspension, 
and their application to infected plants in a fine 
spray by various atomisers and sj)ray pumps,” 
With one of these mfgshines, an insecticide cart 
Iw brought in contact with an insect, and its 
feeding ground thoroughly iinjiregnsted with 
poison. It is needful that the spray bo v'ery line, 
and that it be applied with force to reach every 
infected part, or tlie hiding-places of insects. 
The Heport of tho Director of Public Instruction 
for 1890 contains an unusually short reference 
to the Colombo School of Agiculture, “ which 
continues to fulfil,” the Director is glad to say, 
“ tho e.xpectations of my predecessor.” A detailed 
re])ort of the work of the school was read on 
prize-day last December, and reprorluoed in the 
-Magazine columns. It was only late in 1890 
that Mr. Cull succeeded Mr. Groeu, and the new 
Director will no doubt have more to say of the 
school in his report for 1891, which has so far 
proved, in many ways, an ovontful and “ lucky ” 
year for the Institution. 
M'o have pleasure in announcing that the stud 
bull wdiich was expected from India has safely 
arrived. The bull (which was one of the Saidapet 
farm stock ) is a handsome and compact animal, 
and well-suited for the oltject it was intemled, 
namely, of mating with native cattle, and thus 
improving the brood. \V'’e trust advantage will 
bo taken of the facilities offered to native cattle- 
owners to improve their stock, 
