305 



seems highly probable that there is a root disease amongst the 

 padi, and it is of importance that this be investigated during 1907. 

 The time of year I visited Kuang, and the cursory examination I 

 was able to give the disease renders it impossible to state with 

 certainty whether such is the case. I am of opinion that, when 

 more attention has been given to the irrigation of the padi, the 

 disease will greatly decrease. 



Shari 

 withp 



Remedial and Preventive Measures. 

 With regard to remedial measures two things are important 

 First, all padi in anv way affected should be burnt. There 

 are many small areas at Kuang in which every plant is dead, and 

 in all these there are numerous larva and pupae; these should be 

 destroyed. 



The plants could be collected and burnt (care being taken to 

 up the roots of at any rate drier plants), or a preferable plan 



would.be to gather in what fruit is left and the whole area burnt. 

 Secondly, depressed areas should be thoroughly dug up, the 



ground burnt over, lime mixed with it, and then levelled as far as 



Possible. Stagnant water should not be allowed to remain on 



the field. 



As before mentioned the eggs are presumably laid in August 

 or September. This being the case I would suggest that all padi, 

 a any rate in the infected district, be planted towards the middle 

 ^ April in order to avoid the larval stage of this pest. Direct 

 □servation for some months is necessary before I can state witn 



: this insect has. 

 I regret that this matter was not reported to this department 

 ue ore, as I learn from the natives that the disease appeared some 

 def m0! Y ths a §° for Ae first time. The probable reason for this 

 Co? i S f hat tl > is larva (as in many species of this family) has 

 pealed habits, often attacking the roots and the lower part of 

 ?. e s tern S , and it is not until a considerable amount of the crop is 

 atil dea i on the field that any disease is suspected by the 

 S in' lnsect has h Y this time thoroughly established itself 



the , 1 h \ ca se at Kuang further destruction is inevitable and 

 OrW° 6 field had better be burnt. I would urge the District 

 a*L 7 t0 en deavour to make the native understand the import- 

 to 'j*^ 1 observation and cultivation of their crops in order 

 arltt Ct an >' di sease in time, and that the earliest observation oi 

 ^ sent to this department. 



