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to visit Penang and examine the affected trees. Together we 

 examined a large number of trees and took specimens of the roots, 

 bark, and wood, Mr. Gallagher succeeded in finding numerous 

 hyphse of an unknown fungus in the cell tissue, but was unable 

 to determine the species in the absence of the Carposphores or 

 spore-bearing portion of the fungus. Subsequently I collected a 

 number of these Carposphores and sent them to Kew where they were 

 examined by Mr. Massee the Mycologist there. They proved to be 

 of three species, two non-parasitic, and one, by far the commonest, 

 parasitic and presumably the one causing the mischief It is named 

 Polystictus Occidentalis. I attach a copy of Mr. Massee's Memorandum 

 on the material sent, I also received a symphathetic letter from the 

 Director of Kew, Lt. Col, Prain, who mentioned that the Angsana 

 was one of his favourite trees when in India, he told me what I was 

 not aware of before that the tree is not a native of India as its name 

 would suggest, but that it was introduced from the Moluccas, where 

 it is really wild. It will be seen from Mr. Massee's notes that he 

 thinks there is no known cure, the remedial measures he suggests can 

 only be regarded as slightly prolonging the life of the tree. Since the 

 receipt of this communication I have read some extremely interesting 

 work done by Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliot in the curing of plant diseases. 

 The method adopted, is by the injection of antitoxin as is done in 

 medical practice. He also mentions an experiment made by 

 Mohrzecki, where an apple tree suffering from chlorosis or the yellows 

 which presented a sickly and languishing appearance due to the 

 chlorophyll (green colouring matter of plants), having developed 

 imperfectly. An injection was made into the trunk of an apple tree 

 (9 inches in diameter) of a solution containing 12 grams of iron 

 sulphate. In ten days there was no trace of chlorosis, and after 

 3 weeks, the leaves were dark green, and to all appearances perfectly 

 sound and healthy. Mr. Elliot describes the method as exceedingly 

 simple, using plasticine or putty, in the case of small trees to make a 

 circular basin round the stem, which is filled with water containing 

 the solution of the fungicide. In the case of large trees like our 

 Angsana it would probably not be necessary to make a basin all 

 round the tree, but probably a series of cups at short intervals round 

 the base of the tree would suffice. The stem is then pierced with a 

 sharp knife when the fungicide would pass into the sieve tubes and 

 so be taken up by the sap, and come in contact with the disease. 

 Injection does not seem to be so successful with resinous, and 

 possibly also latex bearing trees. The method however, which is 

 only outlined here seems to afford a very promising field for experi- 

 ments. 



W. Fox, 



Superintendent, Forests and Gardens, Penang. 



Forests and Gardens Office, Penang. 

 28th February, 1910. 



