3«4 
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 
2/2 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. Petch to be identical with 
a fungus on Chocolate, but in the cases I have had under my eyes 
there was no chocolate anywhere near. 1 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 affected shoot prevent 
any harm being done, at the same time I would suggest that where 
there are irregular nedected 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 cultivation of his land has 
long ago been aptly compared with his banking account, upon which 
lie 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. 
