422 



Rats in Rice Fields. — I did a considerable amount of 

 work on this investigation. Reports appear in the ^Agri- 

 cultural Bulletin" for May and November, 1907. It is 

 now satisfactorily demonstrated that carbon bisulphide is 

 a cheap, simple, and effective method of getting rid of rats 

 in padi fields. I am still collecting information about the 

 habits of the padi-rat, and hope to publish a full report in 

 an early number of the 44 Agricultural Bulletin." 



Lectures to Planters. — I have begun series of lectures 

 to planters on the build and nourishment of the Para rubber 

 tree, the production of latex, the relation of the plant to 

 the soil, the general treatment of plant diseases, and other 

 matters of agricultural interest. 



The lectures are intended to be of an elementary but 

 practical nature, illustrated by diagrams, blackboard de- 

 monstrations, and microscopic slides. I hope to deliver 

 further lectures during the year, visiting the various Dis- 

 trict Planters' Associations. 



# W. J. GALLAGHER, 



Government Mycologist. 



REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT ENTOMOLOGIST 



FOR THE YEAR 1908. 



The following report dates since my transference from 

 the Institute for Medical Research to the Agricultural 

 Department on the 1st September, 1908. During the past 

 three months the increase of entomological work is about 

 100 per cent., and there is a great deal to be done in studying 

 the life history of those insects which have been sent to 

 the Agricultural Department as pests of major or minor 

 importance. Only those which have been doing consider- 

 able harm will be mentioned in this report. Since my 

 transference I have been chiefly engaged in a study of 

 Termes gestroi on the Para rubber tree. The life history 

 of this insect will be published in one year to 18 months, 

 while a paper for the planters on the best methods for 

 eradicating the evil has been written and will be published 

 as soon as the blocks of the sketches already sent to Calcutta 

 are returned. 



The important question of rendering houses white ant 

 proof has been discussed, and with a view to obtaining re- 

 liable information in connection with this, a series of ex- 

 periments have been commenced. Four hundred pieces of 

 wood of four kinds have been treated with various chemicals 



