172 



and indications given as to the further experiments which are 

 required in order to decide specific questions. It is considered 

 that at present the greatest scope for tapping experiments lies 

 in the direction of " change-over " systems, in which different 

 sides of the tree are tapped alternately for periods of two or 

 three months. 



In conclusion it is urged that full data should be given in 

 connection with all tapping experiments, as in many cases 

 insufficient information is supplied; accurate diagrams would 

 furnish much of the information required. 



DISEASES OF HEVEA IN CEYLON. 



ByT. FETCH, B.A., B.Sc., 

 Government Botanist and Mycologist, Cc\lon. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



Though Hevea brasiliensis has been cultivated in the East 

 for more than thirty years it has acquired few diseases, and 

 the majority of them are not serious. 



liie most important diseases in Ceylon at the present time 

 are Brown Root disease (Hymenochaete noxia), Pink disease 

 (Corticium salmonicolor), Dieback (Botryodiplodia theo- 

 bromae), and Canker (Phytophtkora Faberi). The production 

 of nodules and the decay of the tapped cortex are serious 

 phenomena which have not yet been traced to fungus agency. 



SPOTTING IN PLANTATION RUBBER DUE TO FUNGI. 



By A. SHARPLES, 

 Assistant Mycologist, Federated Malay States. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



Spottings in plantation rubber are due chiefly to common 

 saprophytic fungi. Though the spot-producing fungi are 

 common saprophytes, the number of different spot-tings appears 

 strictly limited. Most of these fungi belong to the genera 

 Penicillium and Aspergillus. 



The investigation indicated that latex is an unfavourable 

 medium for the growth of fungi. But to produce spot under 

 ordinary conditions, the fungi must germinate quickly and 

 grow vigorously, therefore it is most probable that these fungi 

 produce enzymes capable of rendering food material in the 

 latex readily available. These enzymes are probably proteo- 



