208 
THE TROPICAT, AGRICUI.TURIST. 
minute holes in the bark for exit or entrance. And 
yet in the case of vigorous trees, they seem to thrive 
notwithstanding. Since 1893 the pest has spread very 
much, i^nd become more general, though I cannot say 
that I see much difference in the lislds that were 
attacked them.” 
The writer, in the foregoing account of the pest, 
practically suggests the remedy — naniely, — either net 
to plant in poor soil, or, if the soil is poor, to improve 
it, and thus to strengthen the plant against the at- 
tack — the great object of all medical treatment every- 
where. 
To prevent the spread of the disease, the affected 
branches should be cut off and burnt.” 
It is unfortunate that the very heautifu! figures 
of the above insect — on plate V — cannot be here 
re)>roduced. They are I’hoto elcliings executed 
at tlie Survey of India otlices, Calcutta, and 
rival any work of the kind tliat I have seen 
in England. 
Tire third article deals witli Garieria decorella, 
a coccid insect allied to the species producing 
tlie shellac of commerce and the lac-dye This 
insect has hitherto been considered .t strictly 
Australian form ; but has recently been received 
from jSorlhern Imlia, where it is reinoted to 
have attacked tea. We h.ave two allied species 
in Ceylon ; but neither of them lias so far shown 
any prefcience for our staple product. 
The fourth tea pest is anoUier ‘scale-insect,’ 
determined liy Mr. Masked as a variety of 
Cliionaspia prunicola. This species has not yet 
been observed in Ceylon. 
The next section is devoted to insects de- 
structive to cereals and other ciops. A bee- 
tle, Hispa cenescens, is leported as having- 
caused great damage to r'ce crops in India. 
“ The insects are said to have caused damage to 
the pxddycropiu Poona Taluk. 1,'280 acres of land 
in 10 Amsams arc reported to have been affected, 
and the 1 iss is estimated at 20,000 paras cf paddy, 
worth about E10,000.” 
No remedy is suggested. If tliis most destruc- 
tive little insect sliould ap]iear in any of our 
paddy lields in Ceylon, proni|)t measures shnuld 
be taken to exterminate it before it shall have 
made headway. 
In connection with insect pests of frnit trees, 
the fact that what the Americans know as “The 
Iltd-Scalc of Florida ” — Aspidiottis re- 
ported as seriously injuring orange and lime 
trees near Poona, is of some concern to us. 
This species is already with us, but I have at 
present found it only upon rhodo<lendron trees 
in Nuwaia Eliya. In the case of the affected 
citrus trees in India, an application of Kerosene 
emulsion (strength not stated) is said to have 
proved effectual in extei ininating the pest. 
On p. 81 is a reprint of an interesting i)Mper 
by Mr. R. Newstead — the curator of the Gros- 
venor Museum, Che.ster,— upon tlie agency of 
birds in the destruction of scale insects. Tlie 
author linds that the “Blue Tit” and “Long- 
tailed I'it” devour a consideiable number of 
certain species of Coccida=i in England. Our ex- 
perience in Ceylon does not lead me to give 
much credit to birds as aids in the reduction 
of these particular pests. We have many small 
inseciivorons hird.s ; hut they eitlier do not 
appreciate — or, at any rate, do not make much 
impression upon (he bountiful feast provided in 
a field of hng-infe.sted cotlee. They certainly 
frequent such cuffee ; but chiefly to feed upon 
the flies and other insects attracted l>y the 
sweet secretion (“honey-dew”) from the scale- 
insects. It i-^ po.ssible that the “green-bug,’ 
Lcccniiwm viride, may have developed distasteful 
qualities that make it unpalatable; or that. 
Sept i, 1897. 
being (as I believe) an introduced species, tlie 
native birds do not lecognize it as an article ot 
diet. Tlie more local species of scale insects may 
partly owe tlieir comparative rarity to the attacks 
of our insectivorous birds. 
Altogether this periodical publination from the 
Indian Museum more tliau -naintains the liigli 
standard of interest with which it commenced 
s (ine seven years ago. 
E. Eune.st Gri:i:.\. 
A NEW SCHEME FOB CYFIU'S. 
Professor Patrick Geddes of Edinburgh and 
Dundee is no ordinary man. By many of his 
a'lniirers lie 's eonsidered an e.xt.-aordinary genims 
and he certainly never fails to impress all with 
whom he comes in contact with his own views. 
I'lie re.sult is that he has carried out some 
notable schemes in ids day. Almo.st single-handed 
he started and canie l on University Extemsion 
Summer Meetings in Scotland. He has been in- 
strumental in rebuilding a great part of High 
Street E'Unlmrgli, beautiful and stalely liou.ses 
taking the place of squalid tenements. He lias 
long been interested in the countries hordering 
on the Mediterranean and attributes the decline 
of ancient Boine with modern Spain, Turkey and 
the Jigean to the gradual deteiioratiou ot their 
soil— chiefly due to the cutting down of trees. 
This lie thinks has altered b ith soil and climate ; 
and be is very strong now on the miscliief 
wliich lias similarly been wrought in Cyprus. He 
has been wiiting in the Contemporary as -well 
as in London weeklies on a scheme lie now lias 
for resuscitating Cyprus. Tliis must be found in 
aft'orestalion,— a lioly war” Mr. Geddes calls 
it which may la.st a long time, hut which as 
it goes on will hring hack wealth, health and 
happine.ss to the impoverished and degeneiate 
Eastern races. But the Professor does not simply 
preach about afforesting and irrigating : he takes 
action himself. He is forming a Company to take 
oyer two estates in Cyprus already purchased by 
him ; and lie has secured Mr. Chamberlain’s promise 
to ask lor a grant of £60, 000 to lie applied to 
irrigation in tlie island. Professor Geddes con- 
siders Cyprus to be both healthy and safe for 
British residents; no one has had fever or been 
molested lor 18 years back. ‘J'he island is also 
a great centre for the Soiitli-East of Europe 
and when his Comiiany has its farms, fruit 
gardens, ii.s trees, siniiigs and wells, in flourish- 
ing order, there will be aprolilable trade outlet 
available lioili locally and for export. We feel 
sure that Profe.s.sor Gedde.s will liave the good 
vishes ()f all who hear of his scheme for tlie 
resioiaiioii of pr. speiity to Cyprus— an island of 
W'ho.se scenery and liiglilaud people he speaks in 
most favourable terms. 
Planting in Perak and Selangor — M'e 
have culled a good deal of interesting inf> rni- 
ation from the Annual Reports of ihe several 
District Olliceis just published, which will he 
found leprodueed on iiage 191. Coffee, tapioca, coco- 
nuts, pepper and sugar aie the products 
dealt with in Matang of Perak. --Planting in 
Kuala Langat, Selangor, by Kiir.ipeans, does not 
seem to prosper.— But wo liave Ulu Langat 
district w'ith a very satigiiine account of tlie 
future in Liberian coffee, for which a larg.^ arei 
of land h,is been taken up. — finally, tiiere is-- 
Ulu Selangor district where eortee-plaiiting under 
both European and native auspices, is in progress. 
