384 



development of the disease, and quickly fatal as it is, the loss could 

 be minimised if it is attacked immediately on its appearance, but like 

 all these pests if allowed to gain head it might prove unmanageable 

 when thoroughly established, like a small flame easily extinguished 

 at first, soon becoming, if neglected, a vast conflagration. I would 

 suggest that it would be advisable that a mycologist, or some one 

 who is competent to detect this disease should regularly inspect 

 Para rubber trees wherever cultivated, and especially the little 

 lots planted by natives, from time to time, in much the same way as 

 the coconuts are inspected by our friend Laurie Brown, and that he 

 should be empowered to order the destruction and disinfection of 

 diseased trees. 



Destroy Infected Portions. 



The disease is one of considerable importance and might easily 

 become very troublesome. At present it appears to be sporadic, 

 occurring in little patches here and there, and by watching for it, it 

 can be readily checked. In most cases I have seen it attack trees 

 2^ to 4 years old, and the death of the tops of these was clearly 

 seen by the manager. The top infected should be cut well back, 

 that is well below the dead part, and the cut disinfected with tar. 

 Where possible it would be advisable to spray the adjoining trees 

 with copper sulphate solution to kill any stray spores. As the 

 fungus has only recently been met with we have still much to learn 

 about it and I do not yet know from what plant it originally came to 

 infect the Hevea. It is said by Mr. Fetch to be identical with 

 a fungus on Chocolate, but in the cases I have had under my eyes 

 there was no chocolate anywhere near. I am convinced that where 

 planters are on the watch for this pest they will be able to detect its 

 attacks in an early stage and by cutting off the afl"ected shoot prevent 

 an}'^ harm being done, at the same time I would suggest that where 

 there are irregular neaiected patches of rubber trees, with no very 

 responsible manager, the use of an inspector to insist on infected 

 portions being destroyed at once, would be a very desirable move. 



THE PINE-APPLE AS A CATCH CROP IN 

 RUBBER CULTIVATION. 



By Dr. Lim Boon Keng. 



What a planter may obtain from the cullivalioii of his land has 

 long ago been aptly compared with his banking account, upon which 

 he must not expect to draw perpetually without sometimes paying.in. 

 This principle should never be lost sight of with reference to the 

 raising of a catch-crop in the early years of rubber or coconut 

 cultivation. 



