REPORT ON THE PADI-BORER. 
SS ee 
a Y attention was called to this subject, by a letter 
pepisg) 4 dated the rst of January, 1887, that was forwarded 
wes to me by H. M.’s Assistant Resident of Pérak 
from Dr. LEECH, the Collector and Magistrate 
of the Krian District, in which he says :— 
“With this letter I have the honour to forward you a bottle 
“containing some specimens of a maggot which is at present 
“playing havoc with the padi crop here. This is the third 
“season I have heard of its attacks, and each year has been 
“worse than the preceding one. The time, it appears, is just 
“as the ear is beginning to form. 
‘“Many (maggots) are found in one stalk, the whole inside 
“of which becomes brown and rotten. I have seen acres of 
“padi attacked in the way, with the stalks and ears complete, 
‘but without a single grain of riceinthem. It appears that it 
“makes no difference, whether the land is dry or wet. I have 
“not been able to ascertain what sort of insect produces 
“these maggots. 
“If any method of destroying them could be got, it would 
“be a great blessing to the people of this district, as the 
“ravages committed by this maggot, far exceed those of the 
“rats or pigs—the other enemies of the padi crop. 
“Perhaps the Curator of the Museum or H. M.’s Resident 
‘““may know something of the habits of this pest, and suggest 
“some means of destroying it.” 
On the 12th January, I suggested the burning of the straw 
after the harvest, and Dr. LEECH sent out a Malay notice 
recommending this course to the cultivators in his district. 
Since January, I have visited the padi-fields and have pro- 
