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Malaria in Ceylon 
The crops are easily affected by drought. The yield of paddy from the fields in 
Kurunegala town is rapidly decreasing. Thus, the return from one block which a 
few years ago was 40 amunams an acre now averages but 8 amunams for the last 
two crops, in spite of an ample rainfall. The actual return from paddy land to the 
owner is, however, far less than this. 
It is the custom for the owner to present the seed paddy to the “ goiyas ” (culti¬ 
vators), and they in return for cultivating the fields retain half the crop for their 
own use. 
On this basis, average paddy land brings in a return of about Rs. 50 per acre per 
annum to the owner, as follows : 
2 bushels paddy= 1 bushel of rice. 
8 amunams paddy (40 bushels)=20 bushels of rice. 
20 bushels of rice at Rs. 5 1 a bushel=Rs. 100. 
Rs. 50 to the ‘‘ goiya ” and Rs. 50 to the owner per annum. 
2. Valuation of Cocoanut land in Kurunegala. —Cocoanut land in the town is 
appraised at Rs. 1000 per acre for bearing land. An estimation of Rs. 10 is made 
for every tree in bearing. 
Kurunegala district is a well-known district for cocoanuts. Most of the cocoanut 
land in the vicinity of the town is old paddy land. Cocoanuts in Kurunegala take on 
an average between ten to twelve years to come into bearing. The price of cocoanuts 
has in recent years substantially risen in Kurunegala. 
Ten to 15 years ago cocoanuts sold at the highest at Rs. 40 per thousand ; 
for the last six years the price has stood at Rs. 70 per thousand, and is now steadily 
increasing. 
Copra, locally made, is selling at Rs. 80 a candy, the highest price ever reached. 
In a fully-bearing cocoanut plantation there are six pickings per annum (every 
two months). The average number of trees per acre is 60, and the yield per tree 
averages 60 nuts per annum= 3600 nuts per acre per annum ; this, at an average 
price of Rs. 50 per thousand, gives a return of Rs. 180 per acre per annum. 
3. Valuation of Paddy Lands as Building Lots. —As building lots old paddy lands 
would bring in a large return. There is at present a great scarcity of housing accom¬ 
modation in Kurunegala. The Salaries Commission has already drawn attention to 
this fact. Rents are very high. Latterly, on the outskirts of the town, building 
lots have been selling at Rs. 2000 per acre. There is reason to believe that building 
lots within town limits would yield double that figure. 
4. Catch Crops. —During the period (12 years) in which the cocoanut trees 
are coming into bearing it is suggested that certain catch crops could be grown. 
The following are suggested : 
Cassava or Manioc, a surface feeder, which does not interfere with the growth of 
the young cocoanuts, and does not impoverish the soil. 
Sweet potatoes, a crop which materially aids the cocoanut palm, as its cultivation 
entails the turning of the soil every six months. 
Plantains do well, but do not pay. 
Kitchen vegetables: chillies, pumpkins, egg plants, etc. For all these products 
there is a local market. 
1 The value of a Rupee is equal to Is. 4d. 
