5 6 PARA RUBBER. 



In 1903 the Ceylon Government Para rubber plantation 

 was badly infected with canker ; the following year it was placed 

 in the hands of the Mycologist for treatment, some 6,000 trees 

 fourteen years old being destroyed. In 1906 it was reported 

 that the whole plantation was in good condition, so it would 

 therefore appear that when proper steps are taken this disease 

 may be checked. 



'" Die Back." This disease principally affects trees about one 

 year old. It usually commences near the top of the plant, and, 

 unless the diseased portion be cut off, travels down the stem and 

 completely kills the whole plant. Fetch has discovered a fungus 

 on diseased areas which he has described as Gleosporium albo- 

 rubrum, Fetch, but he states that his infection experiments 

 with this fungus have been unsuccessful. To check the spread of 

 this disease, it would be advisable to cut off all infected parts of 

 the tree and burn them. He also found a species of the same 

 genus, G. brtmnemn, on young Hevea seedling leaves which had 

 turned yellow and dropped off. 



This genus is of considerable importance from a pathological 

 point of view, as its members are responsible for the following 

 well-known diseases : " Grape Rot," " Banana Anthracnose," 

 " Apple Rot," " Plane-leaf Scorch," and " Raspberry Spot." 



Hevea Stump Disease. Hevea stumps, both in Burma and 

 Ceylon, have been attacked, according to the same observer, 

 by Botryodiplodia elastica, Fetch. In each case the plant had 

 been attacked by this fungus at the collar. He suggests, as it 

 probably enters the stem through injuries made during 

 planting, that plants should be raised in baskets or seed sown 

 to stake. 



Decay in Tapped Areas. Fetch has observed three instances 

 where the mycelium of Pleurotus angustatus, B. and Br., had 

 travelled from the decayed portion in the trunk caused by 

 tapping, to the sound wood. 



Wound Parasite (Corticium javanicum, Zimm.). This 

 fungus is reported to attack a large number of different trees, 

 Hevea included, in Java, Straits Settlements, India, and Ceylon. 

 Its presence may be observed by a lilac-pink coating on the stem. 

 The bark and cortical tissues are destroyed, and cankerous 

 wounds are often caused by it. Combative methods similar 

 to those suggested in regard to Hevea canker would probably 



