6 
a shade tree, the ants have practically exterminated it. Coconuts are 
also affected but not to anything like the same extent as Para 
rubber. Rambong is but slightly attacked, and when it is, generally 
survives, a result “probably due ‘in part to its constitutional powers 
of resistance and in part to its habit of growth. 
VUI.—AGE OF PARA WHEN ATTACKED. 
It is very rare for any material damage to be done before the tree 
is 3$ years old, but I can find no satisfactory explanation of this 
apis fact. xf may possibly be that Termes gestroi is naturally 
arce and scattered that it takes an appreciable time for a 
sufficient stock T [cies but more probably the species cannot 
work without a minimum amount of shade, which is not afforded 
until the age of 3 to 4 years is attained. А third theory, to which a 
eai amount of plàusibility attaches, is that the nests of the ants, 
with certain South African species, are normally situated at a 
dotidibenblo depth beneath the surface, to which the roots of the 
rubber do not extend until the age of about four years, though this 
again is discounted by the situation of the nests as setali found. 
IX.—INFLUENCE OF SOIL UPON T. GESTROI. 
It has been demonstrated from returns sent in and E various 
typical "cm visited, that, other things being equal, t amage 
cau re t p er varies more or less directly with the ours of 
of termi 
and, where the natural water level lies far beneath the surface 
termites can penetrate to a correspondingly great depth, and speaking 
broadly it may be said that the hill country estates in Negri Sembilan 
are more badly affected than those of the flats in —— though 
possibly other causes may also have contributed to this 
Taking all considerations into account, it has, I think, been fairly 
demonstrated = = land best suited to Para rubber is a fairly stiff 
soil, capable taining a certain amount of moisture during 
а which is йрт ar wi ith a н eflicient system of 
drai The slightly increased percentage of trees destroyed by 
ud in such a situation as compared with a light soil is probably far 
t mpensated for by the quicker and more luxuriant 
growth of the trees that escape. 
X.— SPACING. 
istance between the trees is also a decided factor in their 
е il b | 
л, кош seems to be far more than counterbalanced by {Б 
er return per aere and the sowie growth of the trees 
E widely planted. 
XI. —INFLUENCE OF SEASON. 
White ants are much more active duri riods of heavy rain, or 
rather immediately after such rain. vum d i 
