THE RICE WORM (tYLENCHUS ANGUSTUS) AND ITS CONTROL 



part of the croj). The stalks of these varieties may be up to 20 feet in length 

 and they grow astonishingly fast ; it is said as much as 9 inches in 24 hours. 

 The lowest land, where they are found, is subject to early inundation, and the 

 crop is sown broadcast very early in the year, so as to ensure a good start 

 before the flood rises. 



At a slightly higher level another large group of forms is found. In 

 Noakhali these are often mixed with aus, each class being harvested as it 

 ripens. In other districts the lower slopes (but not the bottom) of the sloping 

 basins grow these forms, often in several tiers each occupied by a different 

 kind. These are also broadcasted, the date of sowing depending on the level 

 and the consequent normal period of submergence. 



It is in these two groups of aman rices that ufra is most prevalent. It is 

 true that other varieties are sometimes attacked, but on the whole it may 

 be said that the disease is found chiefly confined to the lower lands. 



The higher levels grow the better quality transplanted group of aman 

 paddy. This group includes the sail or roa rices, which are the best grown in 

 the district. The flood does not reach these levels until comparatively late 

 in the season, and there is time to grow the seedlings in seed-beds and trans- 

 plant them out before the water is more than a few inches deep. Indeed, in 

 many places it is possible to take a crop of aus or jute first and then tiansplant 

 the field with aman in August-September. Some of these transplanted 

 araans, however, are suitable for fairly low ground. Thus in Feni and Chitta- 

 gong several of the roaclia paddies can be transplanted when the seedlings are 

 as much as two feet in height and can survive if put in 18 inches of water : 

 these kinds may also be broadcasted. 



As a rule, the fields intended for transplanted aman are better cultivated 

 than those at a lower level, and even grow winter {mhi) crops of pulses, 

 coriander, onions, and garlic at times, after the paddy is harve.sted. 



No authentic case of ufra in any of these transplanted amans has as yet 

 been seen by the writer, though there have been a few reports of damage in 

 transplanted winter rice in Dacca and Noakhali, and the Feni cultivators say 

 roacha may be attacked if transplanted in lo.w land that bore a diseased broad- 

 casted crop the previous season. It is also practically certain that trans- 

 planted aman which follows a diseased aus crop may get attacked, judging by 

 statements made to the writer in Noakhali. 



Aus paddy accounts for between a quarter and a third of the acreage. 

 It is usually broadcasted, but in relatively high land is transplanted. The 

 straw is short and at harvest little stubble is left, especially in transplanted 



