168 



In dealing with diseases of coffee we do know that leaf-disease 

 is so pronounced and so universal that the plant is practically born 

 with it. Young plants in the nursery, existing under any but 

 congenial conditions will often suffer to an extent uncredited, and 

 failing to respond to the usual Bordeaux-mixture treatment, 

 wear a most distinctly worried look until isolated, as it were, in its 

 proper place in the field. It is encouraging however to know that 

 the plant, when once well established in the best surroundings, 

 carries on as if no sickness existed, because, unlike so many of its 

 relations, its constitution is strong enough to throw off the disease 

 without the aid of artificial remedies. 



The functions of its tap-root are such as to be specially intolerant 

 of wet feet, so that it would be futile to engage in the industry at all 

 unless perfect drainage can be obtained. Unlike rubber, the coffee 

 tree, although possibly existing, can be of no use without its tap-root. 

 A tree planted with a twisted tap-root will inevitably succumb 

 to attacks of various sorts, as there is no provi.sion apparently 

 in nature to enable it to hold its own by the aid of its lateral 

 roots only. 



With the non-existence of the tap-root it matters little whether 

 Termes gestroi or Fomes get to work or not because the tree is 

 practically doomed. 



Progress of science, and application of scientific methods have 

 disclosed a very much wider field in a comparatively short period, 

 and it is with this knowledge that I would advocate the necessity of 

 embarking upon (what I may be forgiven if I term) a new industry 

 with very different premises, and on lines of a broader nature than 

 the old coffee planters were taught to work upon. I would say that 

 clean-clearing of sub-soil timber will be a question for urgent 

 discussion, and should receive the consideration that it deserves. 



Touching lightly upon pests, no one who saw, and has been 

 made aware of, the damage done to estates by the caterpillar of the 

 bee-hawk moth, would enter upon the cultivation with the idea 

 that, given good prices, all would be well. 



Assuredly this pest will make its apperance again, but the 

 knowledge of remedial measures is more available now than it was, 

 and for safety and insurance against the spread of this devastating 

 pest I would strongly recommend that no large areas be planted 

 without dividing-belts. 



From the foregoing I trust it will be clear that the writer is in 

 no way posing as an expert in the cultivation (I would say that with 

 only superficial knowledge at our disposal we have yet to find one) 

 but is actuated by the conviction that the prosperity of the country 

 means prosperity for the individual, and if ever there was a time in 

 the affairs of the Federated Malay States when everything should be 

 considei'ed with a view to its permanent prosperity it is now. No 



