424 



is to abandon pollarding, which after all is not remuner- 

 ative. When thinning* out is necessary the tree should be 

 completely done away with. When apparently healthy 

 trees are attacked the borer usually makes its entrance into 

 the tree on the tapped surface, although I have seen on 

 one occasion a tree affected below a side branch. 



The majority of these insects are caught in the latex 

 and killed, their presence may be detected by latex exuding 

 from the tree, and running down the bark in thin strings. 



The question of lopping must also be noted. Where 

 it is necessary to do this it will be well to place tar on the 

 wound immediately after the branch is cut. It is useless 

 waiting a couple of days, one cooly, with the tar, should 

 follow each man who is lopping and the application should 

 be made immediately. 



Three species of Lepidopterous larvae have been re- 

 ported to this department as defoliators of rubber. In 

 places they have done considerable harm, but I have been 

 unable to make personal observation in connection with 

 these pests. No specimens were sent, and I therefore know 

 nothing more than the fact that they were caterpillars. 

 Here it can be pointed out that it is essential for planters to 

 send specimens, and when possible alive. They may be 

 placed in a cigarette tin, in which is punctured a few holes, 

 with the leaves they are feeding on. Do not keep them in 

 this tin for several days before despatch as they will arrive 

 dead, and very likely in a putrefying condition, but send 

 them off immediately. Where living specimens cannot be 

 sent place a few in spirit. Observations should also be 

 forwarded. These defoliators will have to be studied dur- 

 ing 1909, should they reappear. 



A species of Acridium (grasshopper) is reported from 

 two estates as eating the Para rubber leaves. As both of 

 these places are planted up with crotalaria I was inclined 

 to think that this plant encouraged the pest, and from the 

 following letter it appears that this cover plant may do so: 

 "The height of the crotalaria varied from 3 feet to 7 feet 

 according to whether it had just been topped or not. The 

 rubber was planted in May last and cotalaria put in in 

 .July, the trees which got away well and have their heads 

 above the crotalaria are badly eaten as per specimen sent, 

 Again those trees which are more backward have no leaves 

 at all, simply the straight stem with a very small shoot on 

 top. The grasshopper does not, as far as I can see, feed on 

 the crotalaria but only the rubber leaves," 



