XIX 



the moth had not then been captured in the cane-fields — conjecturally from 

 it remaining hidden under the leaves, 



" The report quoted runs to considerable length, but I have given these 

 few points as they seem of practical importance. 



" The habits as mentioned agree with those noted of tlie moth cane- 

 borer from Demerara, even in the matter of difficulty of capture, and this 

 quiescent state in the shelter of the leaves and immediate concealment on 

 disturbance, puts it on the one hand almost out of reach of destruction 

 by the usual artificial means of attraction ; and, on the other hand, puts it 

 very much into the power of the ants, stealing quietly into every nook to 

 lay hold of and destroy it. 



" Effects of weather and state of health of the plants appear to act 

 strongly on the borers generally, the attacks being noted as worst in 

 seasons of drought ; this, apparently (as with some of our English attacks), 

 from the dry weather, and state of the plant-juices being favourable to the 

 insects, and also from the plants not being able to make way against them, 

 or ' grow past,' as it is termed. 



" This point is worth notice, relatively to what may be found to answer 

 from increased irrigation or anything keeping up the vigour of the plant 

 as stimulant application ; and I may observe that in an experiment 

 instituted with regard to the effects of the mixture known as ' Soluble 

 Phenyle,' this was applied in dilute form with ash of the burnt 

 canes, and whether from the ash or the * phenyle,' or both, a growth 

 was reported of a remarkably healthy green, and although the difference 

 in amount of insect presence accompanying was not great, it was certainly 

 less." 



Mr. W. L. Distant stated that he had had some experience in sugar- 

 cane growing in Malacca, and he was of opinion that the remedy for 

 exterminating the borers lay with the planters themselves. The necessity 

 was to burn all the refuse " trash " from the canes, as was done on the 

 largest estates, and not allow such to accumulate, as frequently took place 

 on badly managed plantations. He had only that day been discussing the 

 matter with a large cocoa-nut palm grower of Malacca. That palm suffers 

 severely from the depredations of two beetles, Xylotrupes rjideon and Onjctcs 

 rhinoceros, and the principal defence is to prevent the accumulation of 

 vegetable refuse. Frequently Chinamen who had adjoining plantations 

 would allow "paddy" husk, or sawdust, to accumulate, thus affording 

 breeding grounds for these destructive insects, to the injury of all the 

 surrounding estates. 



Miss Orraerod stated that the planters in British Guiana had now 

 become aware of the importance of not allowing refuse to accumulate. 



Mr. M'Lachlan was of opinion that the cane-borers could be entirely 



