CHAPTER VIII. 

 Diseases and Pests. 



I. FUNGUS. 



In the Malay Peninsula, two serious diseases have 

 specially to be struggled with, fungus and white ants. 

 Root-fungus (Fames Semitostus], is triumphant throughout 

 the whole country, as well as in Sumatra. It has been 

 studied by Mr. GALLAGHER from an agricultural point 

 of view {"Root diseases of Hevea Brasiliensis") and I 

 quote the following- particulars from this important study. 



The fungus lives on tree roots in the jungle; after 

 felling, the Mycelium extends itself from the rotting 

 stumps along the dead roots of rotten wood through 

 the soil; without the help of such conductive materials 

 it cannot grow. It is almost certain that Hevea must 

 come into actual contact with the Mycelium and is not 

 susceptible to spores. The infection starts with the side 

 roots, the Mycelium extends then to the tap root, 

 only when the latter is affected, will the tree bear 

 exterior marks of the disease, and then the leaves 

 wither and the tree soon falls down. Rubber trees of 

 15 months to four or five years old, are specially exposed 

 to this, not because they are less susceptible, beyond 



