41 



require the adoption of this method, the ti-ee had better come out 

 altogethei-, for, in the majority of cases, a healthy tree will throw 

 off a slight attack. 



This criticism I would also apply to bark rot or claret canker, 

 which, in nine cases out of ten, escapes notice until too far gone. 



When leaf, pod or branch canker occurs cutting out or lopping 

 off and burning affected parts, followed by sanitation firing and 

 changkolling, offers to my mind the soundest treatment. 



Another alternative is to lime and bury the fallen deposit. 



In Ceylon, again, research work lays great stress on the value of 

 cultivation. And another recommendation, also from Ceylon, is to 

 make a thorough inspection and clean out all dead bi-anches and parts, 

 etc., just after wintering is over. This, in my opinion, is very sound. 



(2) Pink disease. — In the treatment of this disease, Federated 

 Malay States planters follow two schools of thought. We have the 

 " painteivs " and the " surgeons " and each " grinds an axe " of 

 plausible argument. 



Which method is correct ? Personally I lean to the surgical 

 operation and opine that the knife should be used in all but 

 exceptional cases. My observations are that where painting is the 

 vogue, such estates never seem to get free of the disease, whereas, 

 where the knife has been liberally used, conditions are nearly always 

 revei'sed even on estates in the same district. 



(3) Gestroi. — Though machines for pumping and distributing 

 arsenical fumes for the destruction of gestroi are most useful and 

 efficacious, alone they do not constitute a cui'e — that is a cure 

 in the sense of ridding an estate of this pest. Termitariums 

 have to be searched out and destroyed, and as these are invariably 

 located in logs or stumps and a sine qua non to successful operation 

 is the removal of timber, etc. Where the pump is most useful is 

 in dealing with the rubber tree itself. 



Any attacked ti^ee that is " pitted " and shows " tears of latex," 

 means gestroi inside and also borers, but there is always a difference 

 which is easily ascertained. The latter's droppings are always 

 visible. Therefore, use an "augur" on it. Bore a hole first and then 

 pump. Afterwards plug the hole with a bit of hard wood dipped in 

 Jodelite, cut off flush with the tree, and tar. 



There is nothing difficult in the actual use of the machine, but 

 it is important to see : 



(1) That the correct mixture is used ; 



(2) That a " red " fire is in the brazier ; 



(3) That each tree or log gets a thorough drenching, giving 



five minutes pumping to each dose of mixture put in 

 the brazier, and not less than five to six doses per tree ; 



(4) Always cai*ry an augur and don't be afraid to use it. 



