46 MONTHLY NOTES ON GRUBS AND OTHER CANE PESTS. 
GREENHILLS ESTATE. 
The immune area, which one sees upon entering the estate, is in 
excellent conditions, both as to growth and colour. The late rains have 
done much to retrieve the bad effects of the drought. 
Even the infested portion of the estate is considerably improved over 
what it was a month ago. Little of the injured cane has fallen, so, if the 
rains continue, much of it will form new roots and revive, now that the 
grubs have about completed their feeding. 
It is interesting to note, again, the good appearance of the cane at 
the edge of the fields bordering the feeding-trees to windward. In some 
eases this shows no sign of infestation, the beetles apparently flying for 
some distance, often several chains, before alighting to oviposit. 
The October plant-cane of field J1 is still dark-green in marked 
contrast to the brown fields on every side. There are only a few spots 
which have shown any grub-injury, and these are rapidly improving. 
J4, just across the tramline, planted in August, is a wreck. It had a lot 
of cultivation, but none at the vital time—.e., during the early part of 
December, when the beetles were beginning to oviposit. 
It is also very satisfactory to be able to report the splendid condition 
of the first ratoons in the west half of L6. The slight indication of grubs, 
noticeable a month ago along the tramline, has entirely disappeared, and 
the cane is in perfect condition. It will give a second good cut about 
November, and will probably ratoon again successfully during December. 
It will be unfortunate for our investigations if this estate is thrown 
out of cultivation, as is now considered probable since the loss caused by 
the grubs is so tremendous. One could not wish for a better growing-soil 
if the grubs would let the cane alone. It is exceedingly friable and 
fertile, producing satisfactory crops even without manures. In spite of 
the fact, however, that I am more and more confident of success with this 
type of land, I can hardly expect the present lessees to go on paying out 
money, since they have already expended more than £26,000 above 
receipts, on the chance that the estate would again produce a 30,000-ton 
crop. 
CANE GRUB INVESTIGATION, JUNE, 1919. 
The past season has been particularly favourable for eradication 
of cane grubs in most of the Northern districts. The dry weather early 
in the year necessitated frequent cultivation, which not only hindered 
ege-laying, but also is a most effective means of destroying the young 
erubs. Then, too, the continued rains, which were so late in starting, 
pushed the new roots just at the right time, when the beetles were getting 
in their worst work; hence, in many eases, the cane was quick to recover. 
During the month I made a survey of the grub situation on the 
Johnstone River; and also secured a fresh supply of the borer-beetle 
parasites from the Mossman. ° 
