DESTRUCTION OF ANTS' NESTS 49 



but feebly. The effectiveness of the two fungi depends on 

 the abundance and normal distribution of the monsoons 

 the white fungus on the South-West and the so-called 

 black fungus on the North-East. 



Whether the South-West monsoon is abundant or 

 scanty, little or no spraying can be done during those 

 months on account of the great uncertainty of the 

 weather immediately following the operation. The advi- 

 sability of spraying during the last quarter of the year 

 depends on the prevalence of the black fungus. If, as a 

 result of the deficiency of the North-East monsoon, the 

 fungus does not show up, spraying should be done once 

 at least before the picking and, as far as possible, before 

 survivors of the previous South-West monsoon have a 

 chance to multiply. If, on the other hand, there appears 

 to be a chance of the black fungus dealing effectively with 

 the insects, the spraying should be deferred until after the 

 picking season is over. It seems advisable that this 

 spraying should be completed well before the beginning 

 of the South-West monsoon. The survivors will then 

 have a chance to multiply somewhat and afford sufficient 

 material for the white fungus to travel rapidly over large 

 areas and effect the destruction of the pest. The white 

 fungus spreads somewhat slowly and too great an inter- 

 ruption in the continuity of infected plants, such as might 

 result from spraying immediately before the monsoon, may 

 prove a further hindrance to its spread, in which case it 

 would be necessary to spread the fungus artificially. 



These recommendations are with reference to estates 

 where the infestation is wide-spread and past the chance 

 of stamping it out. With regard to others where infec- 

 tion is only on a few plants or in a few patches, no limit 

 can be set to the number of sprayings. In all cases 

 whether the bug can be stamped out of the estate or not, 

 it is of supreme importance that the bug should be looked 

 for and dealt with immediately the South-West monsoon 

 is over, in all likely places such as in the nests of ants 

 and on tender leaves and opening buds. 



Among measures other than spraying and brushing, 

 the systematic destruction of the nest of ants, whose 

 responsibility for the spread and increase of green bug 

 has now been placed beyond a doubt, is of the greatest 

 importance. An equally important measure is to increase 

 the efficiency of the two fungi. To introduce them to 



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