53 
leaves entirely consumed, but the ends of the young shoots are 
eaten back for several inches. This regular periodica] defoliation 
very seriously checks the growth of the plants, and would interfere 
with the profitable cultivation of this species of rubber in Ceylon. 
Fortunately it does not attack Para rubber which so far has proved 
practically immune to insect attack. 
Though it would be possible to check the pest on young trees over 
a small area, by spraying with arsenical compounds, such treatment 
would be impracticable with extensive cultivation and older trees. 
The same insect similarly defoliates Portlandia grandifiora in 
our Botanic Gardens. 
Yours faithfully, 
E. ERNEST GREEN, 
Govern merit Entomologist 
ENCOURAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURE AMONG 
THE NATIVES. 
Papers in Continuation of Printed Paper 11 Experimental 
Plantations” of the 19TH September, 1903, 
No. 104/03. 
Office of the Inspector of 
Coconut Trees, 
No. I.C.T., F.M.S. 174/03- Federated Malay States, 
No. Misc. 7259/03. Kuala Lumpur, nth November , 1903. 
Subject: 
Encouragement of Agriculture among Natives. 
Sir, — 
f have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No 
Misc. 7259/03, dated 7th November current, enclosing copy of a 
letter by the Superintendent of the Government Experimental Plan- 
tations on the above subject for my views and recommendations. 
2. The scheme proposed by Mr. Arden is, I believe, well worthy 
of consideration, but in my opinion its success entirely depends in 
educating the native inhabitants in the underlying " principles of 
tropical agriculture, and until good progress in this can be fully as- 
sured it appears to me the Government would not be justified in 
adopting the other more extensive proposals that are suggested. 
3. I regret I cannot from the experience I have had put awav 
from any mind the fact that unless the native inhabitants are pro- 
perly aroused they will never take much real interest in agriculture 
more especially when the latest methods should be adopted if the 
best results are to be obtained, and to be taught the work on this 
scale, supervision will certainly have to be exercised to which ex- 
ception may also be taken by them. 
