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to prevent such diseases spreading and to secure a certain 

 amount of immunity for their estates, and they certainly 

 have it in their power to prevent such a disease attaining 

 to epidemic proportions. Further studies of controlling 

 influences should be made, many of which are probably at 

 work though still unrecognised— such as the destruction of 

 spores by insects,— the mite and the cockroach and certain 

 fungi parasitic on the pest being at present the only ones 

 recognised ; but there are many other natural enemies to 

 the growth of this fungus still awaiting discovery. There is 

 no doubt that under certain conditions fermentation is very 

 destructive to fungus spores. This points to the most suit- 

 able method of getting rid of the empty pods as disease 

 producers by utilising them for manurial purposes, and 

 regular plans should be made for treating them on these 

 lines, rather than continuing the neglectful method of 

 leaving naked heaps in the field which very commonly 

 prevails. At present the disease does not seem to gather 

 much headway, and this is probably due to natural checks 

 upon its spread. The principal destruction by it appears 

 to occur on poorly cultivated or inferior soils. Many 

 contend that it is not present, but there are few estates on 

 which it cannot be found. It is not recognisable to the 

 naked eye until the result of its mischief is evident in the 

 death of the pod, branch, and root, but nevertheless it 

 can be found by the expert in unsuspected places where 

 unfavourable seasons would cause it to show itself with 

 destructive effect, and unless a proper watch is kept upon 

 its action and progress, together with that of the equally 

 insidious canker fungi, it is possible that it may become 

 a very serious matter to that section of the planting com- 

 munity who are dilatory and unwilling to adopt hygienic 

 measures, and are generally neglectful in the management 

 of their estates. At the same time there is every reason 

 to hope that, given clean, well-manured, well-drained, 

 and well-cultivated estates, where hygienic methods 

 obtain, planters have no need to be alarmed. One fact is 

 certain, as seen in our last dry and unfavourable season. 



