THE BUD-ROT OF PALMS IN INDIA. 275 



by Mr. Ferguson in March 1908. Under the Indian administra- 

 tive system each district forms a separate unit, the officers of which 

 have no standing in the next district. It was accordingly necessary 

 to move the Government of Madras to extend the operations into 

 the Kistna District. The Collector of Kistna, however, reported in 

 December 1908 that the attack in his district was due to a beetle 

 and not to a fungus. The writer received very definite information 

 early in 1909 that the disease was undoubtedly the same in both 

 districts and was rapidly extending in Kistna, and in conjunction 

 with Mr. Green submitted proposals for the staff and expenditure 

 required to deal with it. These proposals were sanctioned late in 

 the year and Mr. Green placed in charge of the work in both districts. 

 It was not until January 1910 that the organisation was complete 

 and cutting operations actually commenced. 



The total staff employed in January 1910 was as follows :— 



Godavari District. 



4 Revenue Inspectors on Rs. 40/ per mensenj. 



" )i )> )> )> '^"/ )) I) 



9 Peons „ ,,7/ 



Kistna District. . 



.") Revenue Inspectors on Rs, 40/ per mensem. 



4 )i )) 11 )» 'J"/ )) )) 



Peons „ „ 7/ „ „ 



Special Deputy Collector's Staff. 



In the Kistna District a considerable number of villages are 

 infected in Tanaku and Narsapur Taluks which adjoin Amalapur 

 and Nagaram Taluks of the Godavari. Yernagudem Taluk is shghtly 

 affected, and there is at least one severe outbreak in Bunder 

 Taluk near Masulipatam. The disease is also reported with some 

 doubt from Gudivada Taluk. The total area affected is probably 

 small as compared to that in the Godavari. It is impossible at present 



