A. R. Sanderson and H. Sutcliffe 63 



and beetles both of which are liable to spread the disease especially by 

 carrying the pycnidiospores which adhere to the legs and bodies. 



Since the fungus quickly produces spores (5-6 days) once a tree is 

 attacked and the initial attack overlooked, the spread of the disease is 

 usually very rapid and whole tasks of 300-400 trees may be affected in 

 the course of a week or fortnight. 



The rapidity of spread and the short time in which it kills the tissues 

 make this a most dangerous disease. A week may see the number of 

 infections increased by hundreds. 



The loss sustained by an estate affected by Mouldy Rot, unless 

 efforts are at once made to obtain control and eradicate the pest, may be 

 very great, as once it becomes fairly widespread tapping must be stopped 

 for periods varying from 2-6 months and this may have to be repeated 

 after reopening if the disease shows signs of reappearing. The distri- 

 bution of remaining cortex after tapping also is bound to be serious if 

 it continues for any length of time since a shortage of bark means loss 

 of revenue. 



When reopening trees after a period of rest due to Mouldy Rot the 

 new cut if in the same section should be 4 inches below the old one; 

 it is better to open up a new section and keep a sharp watch for any new 

 infection which should be dealt with vigorously. 



Two other species of Sphaeronema have been seen frequently by the 

 writers growing as saprophytes on dead Hevea timber ; one often appears 

 on the cut surfaces of fresh timber during felling. These are always 

 accompanied by hosts of small diptera which apparently find the sticky 

 masses of pycnidiospores an attraction. Both these species produce 

 fruit (pycnidia) viz. quickly, one of them usually in about three days 

 or even less. 



We are indebted to the Rubber Growers' Association for permission 

 to publish the results of this work carried out on their behalf. 



REFERENCES. 



Second Malayan Report for 1917. Rubber Growers' Association, Agricultural Bulletin 



Federated Malay States, vi, No. 1, October, 1917. 

 First Malayan Report 1919. Rubber Growers' Association, Kuala Lumpur, F. M. S., 



March, 1919. 

 Third Malayan Report for 1919. Rubber Growers' Association, Kuala Lumpur, 



F. M. S., December, 1919. 



