So 



our knowledge of the mode of attack of certain fungi upon the roots 

 of rubber, and of their immense economic importance, was rapidly 

 advanced, and the responsibility fixed upon decaying timber. With 

 this extra, and even more important case against timber to support 

 the policy of clean clearing, it became possible to advocate as a 

 general estate method what previously might have been considered a 

 counsel of perfection. 



In February of last year at a Planters' Association lecture I 

 first recommended the general adoption of this common-sense method. 

 The idea did not at once meet with unanimous approval, but the 

 progress it has made in little more than twelve months has been 

 eminently satisfactory. 



Early in 1916, also, I had the opportunity to devote some time 

 to the consideration of coconut pests, and here too Termes gestroi 

 proved to be by far the most serious pest, warranting a very 

 considerable expenditure upon preventive treatment. 



The same arguments for clean clearing apply to coconut cultiva- 

 tion as to rubber, beetle grubs in the rotting wood replacing fungoid 

 diseases as the supporting reason. 



That clean clearing is the only sure cure for Termes gestroi 

 attack, I am fully convinced. Of all other methods tried, including 

 the sulphur arsenic f umigator, it must be admitted that they have failed 

 to eradicate the pest. In ai'eas wherein Termes gestroi has become 

 established, particularly in old rubber, the f umigator is indispensable, 

 but only as an adjunct — not as the principal method. Within two, 

 or at the outside three years of felling, every available shelter for 

 Termes gestroi, and consequently every likely infection centre for 

 root diseases should have been destroyed. 



That clean clearing is in general worth while from a financial 

 view point, I am satisfied also. But this is a matter upon which the 

 economist and not the scientist will decide. 



To the pi'actical planter belongs the solution of the problem, how 

 best and cheapest to get rid of the undesired timber ; whether by 

 double felling ; by single felling and clean clearing before planting ; 

 by single felling and clearing when the rubber is well up ; by 

 disposing of the wood for charcoal or firewood ; or what not ! The 

 sooner the cheapest and the most effective method is established, 

 the earlier will this, the most desirable of all plant sanitation 

 methods, become a piece of the established I'outine of estate opening. 



