423 



of different strengths and in different ways. These have 

 been buried near the Golf Course in Kuala Lumpur with 

 150 controls. Termites of various species are known to be 

 abundant in this land, in fact I should estimate that two- 

 thirds of the ground wherein these woods are buried is 

 undermined by termites. It is proposed to take up these 

 woods at periods of 2, 6, 9 months, 1, 2, 2-J, 3, 3^ and 4 

 years, after which time a certain number of pieces will still 

 remain. In all, there are 37 experiments, and for each 

 experiment 10 or more pieces of woods have been treated. 

 The first series of these woods, after two months burial, 

 have been taken up, and it is hoped that these together with 

 the second lot can be exhibited at the Agricultural Show 

 to be held at Penang during 1909. 



Negotiations are in progress with Government for the 

 treatment on a large scale of the timber to be used in the 

 construction of houses in Kuala Lumpur. 



Rubber Pests. 



Eumeces squamosus (a weevil) has been sent in from 

 the managers of some 10 estates in the Federated Malay 

 States, who report that at times it does considerable harm 

 to the young rubber trees by eating away the older leaves 

 and young shoots. Collecting the beetles by hand has 

 proved to be effective. The beetle is practically omni- 

 vorous, and it is not likely to confine its attacks to rubber, 

 but will continually appear and attack small areas of the 

 young rubber trees. A report on this insect, under the 

 name of Astycus lateralis, appeared in "Perak Museum 

 Notes,' ' Vol. II., pt. L, p. 61, by Wray. 



Towards the latter end of the year several complaints 

 were received relating to a small borer in the rubber trees. 

 An examination of the insect proved it to be closely allied 

 to the shot hole borer of Ceylon, but as I have no technical 

 description of this insect, which belongs to a family com- 

 posed of closely-allied species, I am not certain of its ident- 

 ity. I am under the impression that it is Xyleborus 

 parvulus. Be the insect Xyleborus for meatus (the shot 

 hole borer) on any other species there is not the slightest 

 doubt why it has gained a footing in some places. Several 

 estates have lately adopted pollarding, and it is invariably 

 on these pollarded trees that the insect commences to be 

 destructive. Transference of the insect to those healthy 

 rubber trees planted near pol larded ones is rare, although 

 this does occur, and the only word of warning necessary 



