Diseases 271 



turn to engage the insect and withdrawn, 

 let us hope, with the pest on its end. The 

 operation requires decision and practice, for 

 the beetle has a well armoured, smooth 

 coat, and but few projections on its body, 

 so that unless you strike it between the 

 body and the head, it is difficult to pierce. 

 When the insect has been removed, the hole 

 must be plugged to prevent further visitors ; 

 for this tar and sand, plaster and sand, or clay, 

 plaster, or cement are recommended. The 

 mixture, whichever is chosen, must be forced 

 into the holes as far as possible, in order to 

 enable it to act as a deterrent to the decay 

 caused by the entrance of moisture subsequent 

 to the attacks of the beetle. The work must 

 be done well to avoid leaving any chance of 

 ingress for others. Other remedies include 

 spraying the crown of the tree with a mixture 

 of Paris green and flour thinned out with 10 

 or 1 2 gallons of water for each tree. The 

 natives in the Philippines are said to pour pure 

 urine into the crown of the affected coco-nut 

 trees with success. 



Asiatic palm weevil or red beetle (Rkyncko- 

 phorusferrugineus. Fabr.). According to Senor 

 Vicente Reyes, of Santa Cruz, Laguna, P. I., 

 it has been observed that coco-nut palms, the 

 green leaves, blossoms, and fruits of which 

 appear in perfect condition, fall to the ground 

 without having any signs of decay, as though 

 struck by a hurricane. In such instances it 



