July 1, 1898.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
47 
"LADY-BIKD" BEETLES AND COFFEE. 
We are asked by Mr. A. Philip, tlie 
Secretary of the Planters' Association of 
Ceylon, to publish the following correspondence : — 
Eton, Paudaluoya, 2oth February, 1898. 
From E.E. Gieen, Hony. Government Entomologist. 
To Alex. Philip, Esq., Secretary, Planters' Associa- 
tion of Ceylon, Kaudy. 
Dear Sir, — 1 note that the coffee planters of South 
India, pecuniarily assisted by the Madras Gov. 
ernmenfc, have coramissic ned Mr. Newport to collect 
aud bring over from Australia, a consignment of 
" L?.dy-bird '' beetles to check the ravages of scale 
insects upon coffee. I would strongly urge tlie cor- 
poration of Ceylon planters and proprietors (such as 
are still interested in the cultivation of coffee), in the 
scheme. The United Planters' Association of Soutlieru 
India, and the Madras Government, should be ap- 
proached with ,1 vic 'V to the engaging of Mr. Newport's 
services on behalf of Ceyloualso. A small contribution 
towards the cost of tiie work would doubtless be 
sufficient. 
As Mr. Newport was appointed in January, any 
aotion proposed should be undertaken at once. — I am, 
air, yours faithfully, E. Euxest Gbeen. 
1st March 1898. 
From the Director, Eoyal Botanic Gardens, 
Peradeniya. 
To the Secretary, Ceylon Planters' Association. 
Sir, — I have the honour to enclose herewith papers 
received from the Government of Madras giving an 
account of the manner in which it is proposed to obtain 
a supply of lady-biid beetles for the benefit of the 
coffee planters of South India. 
2. I enclose also a letter from Mr. E. E. Green 
.upon this subject, and should be obliged if you 
cculi inform me whether there would be any likeli- 
hood of Ceylon coffee planters adopting the suggestion 
in paragraph 2 of this letter. 
3. If any use is to be made of Mr. Newport's 
mission, action should be taken at once. — i am. Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, John C. Willis, 
Director E. B. G. 
Eton, Pimdaluoya, 23th Feb., 1893. 
To the Director, Ro} al Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. 
Dear Sir, — I have the honour to return copies of 
proceedings of Madras Government, relating to the 
appointment of Mr. Newport to collect aud bring over 
to India, a consignment of " Lady bird " beetles from 
Australia, to check the spread of scale insects upon 
coffee. 
2. I have noted this action of tho Jnited Planters' 
Association of Southern India with the greatest 
pleasure. I would strongly urge that Ceylon planters 
still interested in the cultivation of coffee, should, with 
the assistance of the Government, join in the scheme, 
and — by permission of the Indian Planters' Association 
p.nd the Madras G- vernmeut — engage Mr. Newport to 
bring a supply of the beetles for the use of Ceylon 
planters also. — I am. Sir, Your obedient Servant, 
E. Eksest Green, 
Hony. Govt. Entomologist. 
Fort St. George, 2ud Feb. 1898. 
PROOEEDLNGS. 
Stating that the Government is unable to render 
the planters any subsl-antial help in obtaining the 
services oi a c inpeteut Entomologist or an Agricul- 
tural Chemist, but that arrangements \^iIl be made 
with tho Government of Queensland lor the shipment 
of a consignment ui "Lady-bii'ds." 
Approving the proposal of the United Planters' 
Association to send Mr. Newport to Australia to collect 
and b.ing over to this country a consignment of 
" Lady-birds " and stating that the Government is 
prepared to meet a moiety of the cost. 
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. 
Government of Madras, Revenue Department, 17th 
January 1898. 
Read— again the G.O., No. 1040, Revenue, dated 11th 
December 1897. 
Abstract. — Stating that the Government is unable 
to render tho planters any substantial help in obtain- 
ing the services of a competent Entomologist or an 
A-^ficultural Chemist, but that arrangements v.'ill be 
made with the Government of Queeniland for the 
shipment of a ccnsifc,iiment of lady birds. 
Read— again the following G.O., E. No. 2316, 
Revenue, dated 14th December 1897 : — 
lUad — the following letter from the Hon'ble Mr. H P 
Hodgson, Cjaigmora Estate, Kullakambay, Nilgiris, 
to the Secretary to Government, Revenue DsparSmetit, 
dated 2i5th Novembsr 1897 : — 
As I had 110 reply to my latter, dated the Slst Sep- 
tember, regarding the introduction of lady birf!s, i 
have the honour to ask if anything farther has been 
decided in the matter. 
We are anxious not to lose another season, as the 
reports of the spreading of scale pests are constantly 
coming in. We should like to despatch our Agent to 
Australia at an early date, as March and April are 
good months for collecting the lady birds. 
I should like to know if Government would approve 
of our sending Mr. Newport, and if ihey will 'supply 
him with letters of introduction to the Government 
of Victoria. 
Considerable sums have been already subscribed by 
several planting associations towards this object, aud 
as Government were good enough to promise us some 
pecuniary support, to the extent to say half the ex- 
panses incurred in importing the lady birds, I should 
be glad to know if I can apply for the money when our 
subscription list are complete. 
Read— also the following letter from the Hon'ble 
Mr. H. P. Hodgson, Craigmore Estate, Kallakambay, 
Nilgiris, to the Sjcrotary to Government, Revenue 
Department, dated 10th January 1898: — 
1 have the honour to a'ldress to you at the request 
of the Chairman of the United Planters' Association, 
with a view to ascertain i£ Government would approve 
of our sending Mr. Newport to Australia at once to 
collect and bring over a consignment of lady birds 
and to arrange for future consignments being sent over 
to us. 
The rapid and continue I spread of the scale insects, 
both on the Palnis aud in the Nilgiri district, is 
causing us the gravest apprehension, aud we feel that 
something ought to be done at once to arrest it. 
Fields of coffee effected by the pest are threatened 
with extinction, and if they aie to be saved something 
must be done immediately to relieve them. 
Mr. Newport is an intelligent man, and has given 
the subject considerable study, and is in our opinion 
well fitted to perform the duty we propose to send him 
on ; if he starts at once he will be in time to malce 
collections of laily birds this season, otherwise another 
year will be lost before it can be done, and the con- 
sequences of such delay may be serious. 
We trust therefore that Govemmeat will approve 
our proposal to send him at once. Subsciip'tions 
amounting, so far, to say R5,1C0, have been already 
collected by tho United Planters' Association of 
Southern India for the purpose of sending him to 
Australia, and presume 1 may rely upon the promise 
contained in G.O., No. G34. Press, dated the 27th 
July 1897, that Government will contribute half tho 
cost of importing the lady birds. 
Letters of introdnction from the Government of 
Madrf.s will be of the greatest assistance to Mr. 
Newport, and I have the honour to ask that such 
leti;ers may be provided, an3 I will seud the names 
of the persons to whom iutioductions would be 
required should Government approve of the sug- 
gestion. 
Finally I wouLl urge the importance of something 
being done as soon as possible, aud trust to receive 
the support and assistance of Government iu car- 
rying out this experiment, which I have every 
reason to believe will be attended with success. 
