S20 
Supplement to the ''Tropical Agriculturist: 
[January i, i8i)2. 
is valued at Il446'87i, and deducting expen- 
diture and grain-tax there is a profit 
of E241-74Ti. — I beg to remain, Sir, Your most 
Obedient Servant, 
(Signed) 1’. Samabanayaka, 
Agricultural Instructor. 
To J. D. Cunii, Esq., Director of Tublic 
Instruction, Colombo. 
The results of the 16 acres of paddy laud culti- 
vated for the Y'ala 1891 at Akmimana. 
0*9 
■2 g 
K £ 
Instmclor : 
Planted out 3 
Droadoast 13 
•S'O 
2 “1 
a B 
(s'® 
Is 
W ” 
Bu. 
a> > • 
0'43 & 
0-3 2 
o o 
c. Bu. 
a g 
m a 
K. 
2 ® 
Oft 
< ° 
K. c. 
B. 0. 
!)0 iCii 12J 
30 21 11 
31 871 le 371 
2(i 2,5 11 95 
Sj ] 175 121 l^l } 110 87i } 211 71* 
Keiffhboiii'S * 
(‘2 4 
Broadcast. | ..j 
Bemacila.— Grain Tax E30 is subtracted. 
Mr. Samarauayake also states he did not use 
any kind of manure, and gives further details re- 
garding cost of cultivation as follows : — 
Preliminary works and plougliing the E. 
whole extent of 16 acres. . 
Cross ploughing and clearing dams 
Preparing land for sowing 16 acres 
Levelling and planting out 3 acres 
Seed paddy 20i bushels . . 
Heaping, tlireshing, winnowing paddy 
of 3 acres 
Do 
do 
27 
18 
16 
7 
•28 
15 
do 13 acres 63 
c. 
m 
.30 
16 
00 
121 
05 
00 
175 121 
We are glad to be able to state that some of 
our benefactors have offered us help in order 
that we may open out the new block of land 
granted to the School, and our thanks are due to 
Sir J. W. C. de Soysa who has succeeded his 
most estimable father as a kind supporter of 
this institution, for a donation of fifty rupees. 
Professor Primro.se McConnel, the well-known 
author of the Agricultural Handbook, writing 
from Oregon, Essex, where he is farming, says : — 
“The University Commission proposed to abolish 
the B Sc. in agriculture at Edinburgh, but 
I understand that wiser councils prevailed, 
and it is to be allowed to stand. Nobody 
knows definitely yet, however, and Wallace (the 
Professor) is in Egypt at the present time. Both 
Oxford and Cambridge arc proposing to institute 
a proper curriculum of agricultural teaching, 
but up to the present time the matter has got no 
further than the making of propositions and 
passing of resolutions, with adjournments tor 
brther consideration. 1 am hoping that some- 
thing definite will be done by both of tlmse 
Universities during the coming winter. The 
various County Councils are developing systems 
of * extension ’ lecturing or peripetetic teaching. 
The small parcel of lathyrus sylvestris seed 
which was expected at the School for experi- 
ment, arrived from Italy, but we regret to say 
that the germinating power was very low. It 
is, however, gratifying to he able to say that 
we have some specimens of this world-renowned 
fodder plant at the School. It yet remains to 
be seen whether cultivation on a large scale 
will bo a success, and whether all the qualities 
claimed for it will appear in the plant as culti- 
vated ill Ceylon. The seeds do not germinate 
very readily, hut when they do, a stem of 
some length is produced before the appearance 
of the leaves, which being at first enclosed 
within two comparatively largo stipules, come 
out in pairs. 
Mr. J. 1’. Maiichanayake, now employed in 
Kwala Lunipar, under the Straits Settlements 
Government, where he is keeping up liis agri- 
culture, has most thoughtfully sent us a parcel 
of seeds of tho fruits commonly cultivated in 
the country, such as Chinese apple, Malayan 
breadfruit, pomelo, plum, &c. 
S. Mahawalatenne Eatemahatmaya of Ata- 
kalan, who has helped us in circulating tho agri- 
cultural information leaflet, has offered to give 
a trial to any plants and seeds new to the 
Island or his district, on his exten.sive lands. 
The School of Agriculture closed for tho Christ- 
mas vacation on tlie 31st November. We draw 
attention to a uotificatioii by the Director of 
I’ublic Instruction that a new hatch of students 
will bo admitted next terra. Tho school re-opens 
on tho 16th of January 1892. 
INDIGENOUS FOOD FEODUCTS: 
CULTIVATED AND WILD. 
By W. a. Db Silva. 
Asclepiadeae. 
56. llemidesnius Indicus, Brown. 
This plant is known as Iramusii in Sinhalese 
and Nannari in Tamil. It is a perennial with 
a thin woody creeping stem, and small lanceo- 
late leaves of a imle green colour. Along the 
midribs the leaves have a whitish apiioaraiice. 
This plant is found growing in the warmer re- 
gions of tho Islanil botli in cultivated ami un- 
cultivated places, and comes up with great lu.xu- 
riaiice in new chena clearings. 
Just inside tho epidermis or the outer surface 
of tho roots and stems of this plant a fleshy 
covering is met with. This substance is of u 
whitish colour, has a flowery texture and a pleasant 
though a peculiar taste. 
The whole plant is pounded and a congee is 
made by adding a little rice. Tills jirejiaration 
is considered to possess healing properties, and is 
especially rccommendeil as a purifier of blood. The 
leaves are sometiiiios dried and an infusion made 
which resembles tea in many respects. Tho in- 
fusion has a pleasant taste, but unlike tea con- 
tains no tannin. Ilomidesmiis tea is a favourite 
beverage among some of the natives of tho island. 
The root is much used in modlcino, and is often 
called Indian Sarsaparilla. It is prescribed by 
native medical practitioners to purify the blood, 
promote appetite, and to cure skia iliseasos. 
