99 



Nature of soils as affecting the abundance of T. Gestroi. 



In view of the fact that the termitaria are contained 

 invariably if not exclusively in timber, it may be concluded 

 that soils only indirectly effect the abundance of T. Gestroi, 

 i.e. certain soils are favourable to the growth of trees 

 affected by T. Gestroi. 



The soils may affect the extent of the attack on rubber 

 trees by being more or less easy of penetration when the 

 termites go abroad in search of food. 



Methods of extermination. 



On old rubber trees. It has to be determined whether 

 T. Gestroi establish their termitaria in the rubber trees 

 themselves and on this point I have no data. If it should 

 prove to be the case, fortunate is he who discovers an in- 

 secticide, or other means, by which the Queen cells may be 

 reached, at a low cost and without destroying the tree, and 

 thereby obtain the reward now being offered. On the 

 other hand, our success in exterminating the pest depends 

 upon the skill with which the runs are traced up to their 

 base. If all timber is collected and destroyed I feel con- 

 vinced that if the attack does not entirely cease it will be 

 very much diminished. 



On young Rubber Estates. I have found it cheapest 

 and best to make a systematic search field by field and line 

 by line for all timber which is known to be favoured by T. 

 Gestroi, cut them open with an axe or cross-cut saw and if 

 they contain the slightest trace of the enemy destroy them 

 by burning. 



The danger of scorching the surrounding plants may 

 be entirely done away with or at least greatly minimized 

 by burning in a trench, keeping the fire covered with green 

 stuff, and shielding the surrounding trees with sheets of 

 corrugated iron. 



These should not lean against the rubber trees but be 

 supported by sticks a short distance from them; even if two 

 or three rubber trees are destroyed by fire in this way, the 

 damage done is more than compensated for, by the fact that - 

 one T. Gestroi termitarium is capable of destroying a score 

 or more of trees to a distance of two or three hundred feet. 



Where there is a sale for timber or charcoal, sound 

 Meranti trees may be sawn up with advantage and Kumpas 

 can be converted into first class charcoal. 



