20 



merits so characteristic of the presence of white ants. And 

 very possibly, as a consequence of the care bestowed on these 

 trees, they were healthy and vigorous while those in neigh- 

 bouring States were sickly and badly attacked by white ants. 

 In consequence of these observations the writer asked for 

 information as to the composition of the paint which had been 

 used. He was informed that the red colour was merely to 

 indicate the fact that the trees had been painted, and that it 

 was for the most part red ochre. The useful ingredients were 

 said to be as follows : — 



1 part dekamali gum (the resin of Gardenia gummiferd). 



2 parts asafoetida. 

 2 parts bazar aloes. 



2 parts castor oil cake. 



These are well pounded, mixed, and kept in water for about a 

 fortnight. When thoroughly united, and what may be called 

 decomposed into a thickened compound, water is added in order 

 to bring it to the consistency of paint, and the colouring matter 

 is then added. The mixture is now ready for use, and if 

 thoroughly applied for about two feet will check not only the 

 attacks of white ants, but of red ants and other insect pests. 

 Its effect will last for two years or more. The cost of the pre- 

 paration comes to about 4 to 5 rupees per LOO trees. But 

 according to the information furnished from Gondal," al" refuse 

 possesses no special properties ; from other parts of India the 

 reputation is very general that it is of great value; the red ochre 

 added to the above preparation may not only be useful as 

 indicating the trees that have been painted but give a useful 

 consistency, if it does not serve to mechanically hold the other 

 ingredients. 



The paint was prepared according to the directions given by 

 the " Economic Reporter " to Governmenl, and applied to a 

 number of mango, shisham, and siris trees on the Sirsawa 

 road that were badly attacked by white ants. Before applying 

 the paint the coating of earthy matter deposited upon the 

 trunks of the trees by the ants was removed, and in all instances 

 where the earthy deposit was entirely removed, the paint has, 

 so far, had the effect of preventing further attacks by the ants 

 upon the trees. In a few cases the men employed upon the 

 work of painting, overlooked strips of earthy deposit lying in 

 hollow channels on several of the trunks of trees operated upon. 

 The strips of earthy deposit overlooked were painted over 

 together with the cleaned portion of the trunk, but the ants 

 took no notice of the paint when applied to the outside of their 

 earthy runs, and therefore made use of the strips that were left 

 as passages to communicate with the upper portion of the 



