There is not much danger of a semi-parasite like Loranthus 
killing its host-tree, but it can do extensive local damage by enfeebl- 
ing the branch on which it grows, crowding out some of the smaller 
branches and causing the death of others owing to the heavy shade 
depriving them of light. It may also be indirectly injurious by 
allowing the entrance of fungi and bacteria at the swollen, cankered 
place which is sometimes produced where it attaches itself. If the 
parasite is not removed, the seeds will be distributed in the manner 
in the manner described above, and besides being spread to other 
trees they may give rise to numerous additional plants on the tree 
originally attacked. 
Treatment. To cut off the stem of the parasite is only a tem- 
porary remedy, as the “ roots ” left inside the branch possess the 
power of putting out fresh stems. If it is taken while still young, the 
whole plant can easily be removed. The lateral “ roots ” are not 
well developed and can be got at by cutting into the bark. Where 
the parasite is strongly established nothing but sawing off the 
branch will completely eradicate it. All exposed surfaces should of 
course be made smooth and given a coating of coal tar. A search 
should be made on other kinds of trees near the estate, and any 
branches bearing the parasite should be cut off. Further attacks 
would thus be prevented. 
Kuala Lumpur, E. Bateson, 
nth October, 1911, Assistant Mycologist, 
F.M.S. 
A BLEEDING RUBBER TREE. 
A planter in Johore sent some time ago an account of a rubber 
tree which continued for a lung time to exude latex without any 
apparent reason. Possibly other of our readers have come across 
similar instances. 
The tree is, he says, a well grown tree, originally a seed planted 
at stake in October 1908, growing on a very old grey clay fiat on the 
edge of a drain. The girth of the tree on August 1 7 was 12 inches at 
three feet from the base, on three occasions I have dug out large 
lumps of rubber from the base of the tree. “The first time was 
a year previously and the last at the date of his letter, when he^ 
obtained 2 pounds of rubber. The roots of the tree are quite healthy 
• and the tree by no means top-heavy, the branches not too large for 
the tree to support and there is no reason to suppose that the tree 
has had a wrench from a high wind. The latex oozes from the point 
where the large roots proceed from the collar of the tree. The latex 
also gushes out at a point where one of the branches joins the main 
trunk and runs down the stem. 
