223 



usual way to obtain the gutta from the stem, but even this is an 

 improvement for formally all the gutta in the leaves was wasted. 

 Whether the leaves from a tree that has been cut down contains 

 more gutta than those plucked from the tree while still growing is 

 another point requiring testing, for the Malay gutta collectors 

 always hasten to lop the branches off as soon as the tree is felled 

 their idea being that if this is not done little gutta will be obtained 

 from the stem as it all runs into the leaves. In the absence of 

 seeds, which is the best of all methods of propagation, I have seen 

 but one way in which these trees can be produced in large numbers 

 for forming plantations, and this depends on the possibility of get- 

 ting a sufficient supply of young saplings to work on. Of all other 

 forms of cuttings which we have tried the successes have not 

 averaged one per cent. The method I refer to was briefly dis- 

 cribed in No. 2 of this Bulletin in "Elementary Notes on the Pro- 

 pagation of Plants " and consists in laying down small saplings 

 the size of a lead pencil in a horizontal position until they have 

 made shoots 3-4 inches long at right angles to the stem, the latter 

 being then cut clean through on either side of the shoot at about 

 an inch or an inch and a half distant, and planted rather deeply in 

 beds or boxes in clayey soil and kept cool and damp until rooted. 

 By this method plants a foot high can be produced in about a year 

 and a half when they are ready for planting. In regard to forming 

 plantation there is little or no information available, as no one has 

 had much experience in the matter, but so far as my own observa- 

 tions go I am of opinion that partial shade is absolutely necessary 

 in the earlier stages of growth, the amount to be reduced gradually 

 as the trees acquire age. 



" WHITE ANTS AND RUBBER.' 



By E. V. Carey. 



In the successful cultivation of Para Rubber. (Hevea Brazi- 

 liensis), Rembong (Ficus Elastica), and coconuts, there is certain- 

 ly no factor which demands closer attention on the part of the 

 planter than the extermination of the Termes gestroi. Perhaps 

 I should scarcely use the word " extermination, " because to en- 

 tirely destroy and rid an estate of these pernicious insects is an 

 obvious impossibility, inasmuch as they devour both growing and 

 dead wood with seemingly equal impartiality, their presence being 

 only revealed when living trees are the temporary object of their 

 attention. 



Upon this subject you, Sir, have already written, Mr. W. W. 

 Bailey has contributed a long and interesting article, and Mr. Pears 

 of Muar has also had something to say; I should like now to give 

 you the result of my own personal observation in the hope that a 

 little additional grist to the mill may help to sustain the interest in 

 this important question, which the articles before referred to have 

 certainly awakened. 



