10 Timehri. 
been left for some time), and specimens of the latter in the stumps —a condition 
of affairs that leads to the continuous propagation of all these pests, whether 
fields be ratooned or replanted, and whether the trash be burnt off or not. 
In addition to all this, it must be borne in mind that, quite independently of 
the stump or plant-top, a considerable amount of infection from the eggs, grubs, 
chrysalids, and even adults, may be present in these fields, either on the ground 
or the cane débris—whether this débris be more or less rotten hard cane, useless 
basal shoot with but a few small joints of cane, or the dry or green leaves— 
according to the kind of insect. 
As regards the giant moth-borer, under these conditions, the eggs would be 
mainly on the ground, and the grubs in the basal shoots: the hard cane 
refuse is often crammed with the stages of the weevil-borer: the grubs and 
chrysalids of the small moth-borer would be found in the basal shoots or the 
soft cane of the green tops, and its eggs on their green leaves ; while the stages 
of the mealy-bug would be hidden under the clasping bases of the leaves of these 
same parts. And there may even be adults or chrysalids of some of them about 
the ground or under the trash, where they may have fallen or have taken refuge. 
It will thus be realised that the control of these pests, and under the varying 
stages of their life history, presents features of considerable complexity. From 
the use of the term Cane-borers in reference to general insect damage, it would no 
doubt seem to the uninformed that there should be some one simple method 
for dealing with them, and that its efficacy would depend on the thoroughness 
with which it would be applied. In reality the case is far otherwise. 
True it would appear that a most complete and certain method, which would 
also be beneficial for the ground, would lie in a regular alternation of crops, the 
alternative crop being such as would not be subject to the attack of these pests. 
But apart from the difficulty of finding any such crop suitable for local conditions, 
the one hope of such a change would lie in uniform, combined action, 
which appears to be beyond the powers of a community like ours. But even 
if this were possible, it would still be the case, considering the high breeding 
capacity of these pests, that a chance infection from wild or other plants might 
lead to not inappreciable damage in the one crop. 
Even in a country like the United States, where the whole crop is taken off in 
the fall, and where, with skilled labour and the highest technical advice at hand, 
it would appear as though it might be possible to eliminate all infection of the 
crops, the loss is by no means inconsiderable through insect pests. In our great 
tropical district, it is indeed surprising that the damage has not been greater 
considering how little regular attention has been given to them. 
Failing an alternation of crops of the kind suggested, there can be no doubt that 
a complete flooding of the fields after cropping, so that all stumps and trash are 
quite immersed, would lead to the most certain destruction, not only of eggs, 
larve and chrysalids, but even of the adult stages except where they are capable 
of strong and active flight. In this way, not only would there be a clearance of 
all the forms enumerated, but of many others which may sometimes occur in 
numbers about the roots and stumps, and may thus be responsible for some 
damage, as for instance, the froghopper, the small hardback, the larger hardback, 
