124 



Lanadron Estate, Muar, 

 Via Singapore, 

 Straits Settlements, 



nth December, igoi. 



Dear Sir, 



In reading Mr. Bailey's article "on the attack of white ants on 

 Para Rubber Trees " contained in the first number of the Bulletin, I 

 thought it might interest you to know what my experience has 

 been. The age of my trees is from two and three quarter years 

 downwards and as yet I have not had a single established plant 

 destroyed by white ants although certain portions of the Estate con- 

 tain numerous ant heaps such as Mr. BAILEY describes ; on one ten 

 acre block as many as two hundred. This, Sir, may slightly bear 

 out your theory that a fungus is principally instrumental in des- 

 troying the trees in Selangor. 



I have tried to make use of my ant heaps by planting Gutta 

 Rambong on them. About eighteen months ago I had a few- 

 planted up with this variety of rubber with such encouraging 

 results that I have now planted Ficus on all my ant mounds. 

 Whether after some years they will surfer, remains to be proved, 

 but up to the present they certainly show more vigorous growth 

 than those planted on the flat, and their aerial roots are much 

 quicker developed. 



I am encouraged to give you my observations on this matter in 

 consequence of the remark in your article a " Diseased root of Para 

 Rubber Trees" in the second issue of the Bulletin in which you 

 invite planters' observations and opinions, without which, in fact, 

 the primary object of the Bulletin will be lost sight of. 



I remain, Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



FRANCIS PEARS. 



The Editor, 



Straits Agricultural Bulletin, 

 Singapore. 



