101 



When a log or root containing the termitarium has been 

 discovered and destroyed and the ground around it dug 

 up it may safely be concluded that the Queen has perished 

 with the rest of the individuals. Usually it is only neces- 

 sary to trace up the runs in the case of a nest occurring in 

 a buried stump or root. 



The first field I systematically cleared of all timber 

 five months ago has since shown no sign of the pest. This 

 field was planted with Rambong about six years ago it was 

 allowed to lapse into bluker and was interplanted with para 

 in 1906. The only remaining timber was Kumpas of which 

 there was a considerable quantity. The attack on both 

 Para and Rambong trees was particularly virulent in this 

 block but has now entirely ceased. 



As Mr. Pratt very truly says owing to the cryptic 

 habits of termites it is very difficult to determine when a 

 tree is attacked until it falls down but during the wet sea- 

 sons in October, November, December, and January the 

 termites frequently make their appearance above ground 

 and this fact I think should be taken advantage of, by mark- 

 ing in some way all the trees on which the termites make 

 their appearance, for even if they cannot be attended to at 

 once, one would at least know where to look for them in the 

 future. 



I am afraid that some planters are lulled into a sense 

 of security by the fact that none of their young trees have 

 been attacked, it would be well worth their while to make 

 a search for T. Gestroi in the timber lying in clearings and 

 if found, take steps to eradicate the pest, for although trees 

 may not be attacked now, or perhaps for a year or two to 

 come, they will be attacked sooner or later if T. Gestroi 

 present. 



I have not found a single tree attacked so far in my 

 forest clearings, but I know that T. Gestroi is present. On 

 the other hand in reclaimed land, where owing to the decay 

 of most of the timber, T. Gestroi has wandered forth in 

 search of fresh fields and pasture new and has made its 

 presence evident by attacking young rubber trees. 



On Future Clearings. In these again the importance 

 of discovering the forest trees most favoured by T. Gestroi 

 is evident. I cannot speak from practical experience, but 

 the obvious course to pursue would be to cut down all trees 

 known to harbour T. Gestroi and allow them to dry for as 

 long a period as possible, prior to the felling of the land. 

 Many of these trees would be then destroyed in the burn 



