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CHAPTER IV. 



ON METHODS OF PREVENTING INSECT ATTACKS IN THE 

 FOREST AND OF COMBATING THOSE TAKING PLACE. 



1. Liability of Forests to Insect Invasion. 



IT has been often remarked in India in the past, that there is little danger 

 of serious insect invasions being experienced in the forests of the country- 

 serious enough, that is, to kill off the trees over large areas. It has also 



FlG. 21. Chilgoza pine-trees infested and killed by the bark-borer Polygraphus 



trenilii. Steb. Zhob, Baluchistan. 



been repeatedly said that even were such attacks experienced, it would be 

 impossible to do anything to combat the insects or save the trees. In the 

 past I admit there was much apparent reason to support such statements. 

 The forests had been taken over by the department for the most part in a 

 hopeless state of mismanagement, and many had all the appearance of 

 being ruined for good. It is not surprising that under these conditions to 

 worry about attacks of insect pests taking plan- in devastated woods was 



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