40 



(6) Claret canker — 



As a rule, found on trees 10 to 15 years old. (See No. 5 

 remarks.) 



(7) Leaf and pod disease — 



Attacks rubber of any age and is most active after a spell of 

 rain. IiTegular defoliation of young rubber, such as 

 " double-wintering," etc., is suggestive and should always be 

 carefully examined. 



CoNTBOL OF Disease. 

 This is where, I think, our planting system fails. Most 

 planters have a " nodding " acquaintance with the history and 

 treatment of the various disease and pests common to the country, 

 but, is this sufficient ? Take the generality of estates out here. 

 They rely almost entirely on the planting manager. He does his 

 best " according to the book," but, is it satisfactory in reality ? 

 Consider too, that each manager in turn relies on a working-cooly 

 gang vei'y briefly supervised. Is it not possible that something 

 really essential has been missed or left undone ? Is a system 

 controlling scientific work based on such lines correct ? It is true, 

 our losses from all causes of pest and disease would probably never 

 total what we have had to thin out, but is that adequate insurance 

 against the future ? 



"We planters are not 'rubber doctora.' " I have even heard it 

 said that we are only " crude agriculturists," which is probably true, 

 because the economic equation to our training is the " almighty cost 

 per lb." or " cost per acre " as the case may be. Therefore, if we are 

 to keep up with a science that daily claims a larger share in the ethics 

 of present-day planting methods, and if we are successfully to apply 

 these teachings, ouglit there not to be on every estate a co-ordinate 

 staff of some kind trained for field operations if not in actual control ? 



We have already group hospitals and group doctors. Why not 

 mycologists ? 



This is the most effective means of getting into close contact. 

 A man who is on the spot can devote his attention to things. A 

 visiting mycologist only touches the surface. This could be further 

 elaborated by kranis, overseers, and conductors, being taught a 

 certain amount of practical work in technical schools. In India, 

 I believe, a great deal has been done and they turn out some very 

 good men. What we want are such men who would take up a 

 position in the working staff, correlative with doctors, dressers, 

 attendants, etc., in the medical line. This slap-dash, easy-going 

 method of ours is all wrong, and I believe the industry must waken 

 up sooner or later to this. 



