RUBBER PLANTING 195 



stem and leaf diseases, whilst decaying stumps remain- 

 ing in the soil constitute a fruitful source of fungus 

 diseases of the roots. Fetch, in fact, goes so far as 

 to state that if there were no dead stumps there would 

 be no root diseases either in Hevea or tea. The 

 conclusions to be drawn from these facts are obvious, 

 but they apply mainly to the precautions which ought 

 to be taken during the first opening up of the estate. 

 We have now to consider the sanitation of an estate in 

 bearing. 



On well managed plantations a special gang of 

 labourers is often employed, whose business it is to 

 make the circuit of the estate and to keep a close look 

 out for the appearance of disease. This periodical 

 inspection is specially necessary in districts subject to 

 the attacks of die-back and pink disease, since these 

 maladies may readily escape the attention of the tapping 

 coolies. In such districts the removal of dead branches 

 should constantly be carried out as fast as death over- 

 takes them, and by this means the spread of the diseases 

 may be reduced to a minimum. The pruning of lateral 

 branches should always be done by means of a clean 

 cut flush with the surface of the parent stem, in order 

 that no projecting portion may be left to die back and 

 offer a point of entry for disease germs. All extensive 

 areas of exposed wood should be covered with tar. For 

 this purpose ordinary gas tar is preferable to Stockholm 

 tar. All branches and debris removed in pruning should 

 at once be burned. 



132 



