i8 2 RUBBER AND 



beverage which most animals would find decidedly 

 indigestible. These slugs may do considerable damage 

 by eating off the buds and young leaves. They may be 

 prevented from climbing the trees by painting a band 

 of tar round the trunk. Another method is to steep 

 sawdust in a ten per cent, solution of carbolic acid, 

 and sprinkle it round the bases of the trees. Such 

 measures, in addition to protecting the trees for the 

 time being, soon lead to a diminution in the numbers of 

 the pest by cutting off the latter from its principal 

 supply of food. 



Fungus Diseases. 



On the whole, the enemies of Hevea belonging to 

 the animal kingdom are less deadly than the vegetable 

 pests reckoned among the parasitic fungi. The most 

 important, that is to say the commonest, diseases of 

 Hevea which are due to the attacks of fungi, are five in 

 number. These may be divided into two groups, 

 according to their point of attack. Two of the common 

 diseases attack the roots, whilst three of them are found 

 upon the trunk or branches. One of the most serious 

 of the latter also attacks the fruits. In addition to 

 these, there are a number of other diseases which are of 

 smaller importance from the planters' point of view, 

 either because of their rarity or because the damage 

 hitherto ascribed to their attacks is insignificant. Such 

 diseases are however of special interest to the professed 

 mycologist, whose business it is to study the conditions 



