278 K. J. BUTLER. 



evidence to show that the period may be as much as two years. 

 It is not likely to be much more and consequently, if the operations 

 are persevered in, all dormant cases must ultimately declare them- 

 selves and be removed. Still it is necessary to realise the fact that 

 it is not possible to exterminate the disease in any locality in even 

 two years, no matter how effectively the work is done. There are 

 many villages in the Godavari where effective cutting has been in 

 progress for little more than a year and these must continue to 

 return a considerable number of cases for some time to come. 



The operations have been entirely successful in limiting the dis- 

 ease in the Godavari District to the area previously infected. Now that 

 they have been extended into Kistna, it is fully trusted that they will 

 be equally successful in checking the alarming spread to the South 

 which has been going on for some time in that direction. This alone 

 should fully justify the cost of the operations and their continuation. 



It is unfortunately impossible to estimate the number of trees 

 saved from attack within the infected area. If the proportionate 

 number of new cases monthly shown in the preceding table is any- 

 thing like a true indication, the number saved last year must be 

 very large. In much of Amalapur and Ramachendrapur Taluks 

 the table most probably represents the actual state of affairs, but 

 it cannot be appUed to villages where the operations were late in 

 starting. Still the number of trees saved in those parts where the 

 work has been longest in progress must be many thousands, and apart 

 from preventing any extension in the Godavari District it is not 

 unlikelv that the value of the palms actually saved within the 

 district, already exceeds the cost of the operations. 



^U^'^' I E. J. BUTLEK. 



The Ui May 1910. J 



