and Magazine of ike Ceylon Agricultural Society. 



593 



That Tamil coolies are capable of distinguish- 

 ing T. gestroi and its burrows has been proved 

 to me at Kwala Selangor, for on explaining to 

 them by a series of practical demonstrations the 

 several differences, they were not only very 

 clever in discovering the burrows and following 

 them, but were able to recognise T. gestroi at 

 a glance. 



By far the most difficult question is to deal 

 effectively with this serious pest in old estates. 

 Here the roots of the large trees hinder coolies 

 endeavouring to discover the burrows to such 

 an extent as to place this method beyond 

 practical use on estates with a heavy clay soil. 

 In the lighter soils, however, I have found that 

 the burrows may be satisfactorily followed. 

 With old trees the method at present taken 

 against the ravages of T. gestroi is to expose 

 the roots and apply various poisons. 



A LARGE SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS 



wore conducted in the Kuala Kangsa district on 

 trees about 9 years old. The results of these 

 experiments show it is only by systematically 

 and persistently repelling the attacks of this 

 insect that any measure of success can be at- 

 tained. Where those experiments were con- 

 ducted small localised areas were severely 

 troubled with T. gestroi, and about 12 coolies 

 were daily employed in examining the trees. 

 Among many other insecticides tried were 

 various mixtures of Kerosene applied to the 

 roots and exterior of the tree, and on one 

 occasion an application of kerosene emulsion 

 made as follows repelled the attacks for nearly 

 6 weeks : — 



Kerosene 1 gallon, water 1 gallon, soap A lb. 



Boil the water and dissolve soap in this. While 

 boiling hot add to Kerosene slowly, churning 

 meanwhile; continue to mix thoroughly for at 

 least 5 minutes. Dilute with 6 galls, water be- 

 fore using. This method, although the most 

 satisfactory yet discovered, is not entirely satis- 

 factory, as it tends to make those termites which 

 escape, burrow into the interior of the tree by 

 way of the unexposed roots, and further its ap- 

 plication is not invariably successful. The fault 

 usually lies in not removing sufficient earth from 

 the roots. I would advise that the earth be re- 

 moved within a five-foot radius, and to a depth 

 varying proportionately with the depth to which 

 the tap-root extends. A tree dealt with in the 

 above manner naturally has its hold in the 

 ground considerably weakened, and the roots 

 should not be allowed to remain unexposed for 

 more than a week, during which time a daily 

 inspection must be made. Such a treatment 



must bo immediately repeated if heavy rain 

 falls soon after the mixture is applied. Hollow 

 tfees niust be dealt with by boring into their 

 trunks until the hollow portion is reached. 



By way of the hole thus formed force six 

 ounces of calcium carbide (the amount of course 

 varies according to the age and condition of the 

 tree, the amount suggested being the maximum) 

 into the hollow portion ; close the entrance by 

 means of a cork or cement and apply a little tar 

 over the wound after it is stopped up. The 

 advantage of a plug is that it is easily pulled out 

 if the treatment has to be repeated. Coolies 

 should not be allowed to remove the mud- 

 encasements of T. gestroi with a stick or parang 

 as thoy do not kill the ants and are liable to cut 

 into the tree. A coconut brush or some such 

 implement is far more effective if rubbed down 

 the bark. Gales of wind are often the cause of 

 trees splitting down the centre between two 

 largo branches, or branches are liable to break 

 oft'. It in advi-able in suoh cases to apply tar to 

 the wound. Trees blown down by the wind 

 must not be propped up, but destroyed. Those 

 trees which have a tendency to fall should be 

 supported in the side towards which they are 

 leaning. 



PATENT WHITE ANT MIXTURE. 



There are several patent " White Ant" insec- 

 ticides placed in the market here. Those ^vhich 

 have been experimented with are " Street's 

 liquid white ant cure," "Atlas preserver" and 

 " Anticide." 



A Lower Perak planter states he has obtained 

 most satisfactory results with the former. 



His method of application was precisely the 

 same as mine (applied to the roots and outside 

 of the trees) except that a larger variety of ex- 

 periments were tried by me, and the strength of 

 the "ant cure " was varied to a greater extent. 



The results of my own experiments were not 

 successful, for while the attacks were repelled 

 for a few days, the termites returned as soon as 

 the noxious elements of this insecticide had dis- 

 appeared. It is a very corrosive mixture and 

 must be applied with care if used, although its 

 application I maintain is useless while the bur- 

 rows remain undisturbed. The results obtained 

 from " Atlas preserver'' and "Anticide" (the 

 latter is composed to a large extent of Cyanide) 

 have not been favourable. 



To the planting community in general from 

 whom I have received generous assistance while 

 investigating this disease, I would offer my 

 thanks. To a few planters in particular my 



