XVI 



disperses its sweetness through the mass ; nevertheless the dish appears 

 somewhat uninviting. 



" To return, however, to the attacks of the cane-borer in Demerara ; 

 these were lessened for a time, but are still in action to a much greater 

 extent than could be wished. Many experiments have been tried, and 

 amongst others it is noted with regard to powers of endurance that it 

 required 10 parts of sulphuric acid to lUO of water to kill the small borer 

 {Procerasj, and 30 parts acid to 100 of water to kill the large kind — locally 

 the 'tacuma,' scientifically the Fi]iij)icophorus. The application of chemicals 

 is, however, scarcely practicable. From the size and extent of the crop, and 

 the fact of the borers being inside when at work, it is very hard to get at 

 them, but nevertheless systematic care seems to be doing something. 



" The pjoints that appear especially to be attended to beneficially are, 

 first, with regard to what are termed ' tops,' that is, the long pieces of 

 cane-cuttings put in to form the new plants. These are carefully watched, 

 and, if symptoms of the borer appears, are removed. Another point is 

 cutting out infested pieces from the crop-plants ; in this way the insect 

 presence is diminished, and by putting the removed cane through the mills 

 enough is got from it to pay expenses. Attention is. also directed to 

 destroying refuse cane, which otherwise would accumulate, and, by attracting 

 borers, form centres for new hordes to come out from. 



"These points are all of great importance, and can be worked practically ; 

 but for the constant watch on the borers necessary to keep them down, 

 it seems that the only sure protection lies in encouragement of their natural 

 enemies, and especially the ants, which form a kind of insect police, 

 constantly and very efficiently on the look-out. 



" After discussion of the subject last year (following on the very judicious 

 suggestions of some of the residents in the colony), the Colonial Company 

 issued orders that no more ants' nests should be burned. These natural pro- 

 tectors require some special care themselves, as, in addition to the clearing 

 of their nests by fire in process of cultivation, it is a custom to burn them in 

 order to drive away mosquitoes by the peculiarly pungent and unpleasant 

 smell thus produced. 



" The protection, it may be hoped, will bring the average ant presence 

 up to the previous amount, for there seems no doubt of their usefulness. 

 I am informed by various residents (whom I have been in communication 

 with whilst they were in England) that when unchecked these ants are 

 immensely numerous ; to be found in nests at the foot of the cane, and also 

 on the canes ; and that if some pieces of the cane are thrown down ants will 

 directly be seen streaming to them from all quarters ; and in this way they 

 are always at hand to attack the eggs or young grubs before they have 

 made their way into the cane, or again on their exit from it before going 

 into the pupal state. They appear to me the only check applicable to the 



