453 
DISINFECTION OF RUBBER SEEDS. 
The question of the possibility of introduction of the spores or 
mycelium of the various fungi attacking Para rubber on the seeds of 
the rubber tree has been the subject of much discussion at the 
Chambre d' Agriculture de La Cochin Chine at Saigon, and the sub- 
ject of disinfection by chemicals discussed. 
The smooth seed of the Para rubber, I do not think, could retain 
spores, but should there be any fragment of soil attached to them 
spores could be carried, the subsequent washing or soaking in water 
that seeds should receive on arrival from some distance to facilitate 
their germination should however remove any possible risk. 
M. Morange thinks that there is always a risk in seeds picked up 
and not disinfected, and as to mycelium he urges that if seeds of Para 
rubber are piled in a heap and left they go mouldy and this mould is 
a mycelium growing on the seeds. 
Para rubber seends, if left in a pile, become heated very quickly, 
in fact commence a chemical decomposition, the polished surface of 
the seed is rapidly destroyed and the thin outer layers broken up so 
that the mould can then attack the seed. But it is not assumed that 
rotten seed is imported and carefully planted by a rational planter. 
Would a planter sow a Hevea seed covered with the very conspicuous 
mycelium of Fomesl and should a fragment of mycelium of Fames be 
buried with the seed what are the chances of its being planted in 
actual contact with dying shrub or tree on which it could continue to 
develop? Besides, even supposing the seed had not been exposed to 
the light and heat of the. sun which in a few minutes would certainly 
kill the mycelium, the chances of survival of the mycelium threads 
are very small indeed. 
A fungus to establish itself requires a good deal more than im- 
portation of one or two <spores, or a scrap of mycelium. It requires 
to be brought and put in such a position that it can actually then and 
there continue its growth luxuriantly, the actual chance of this in 
most cases is extremely small, otherwise we should utterly fail to 
keep out any fungus that happened to be suited for growth on any 
particular crop. 
Fungus spores can be borne by the wind to any distance and 
doubtless are, but wide as the distribution of these air-borne cellular 
plants is, many quite fail to effect -a settlement in many places. 
Nothing that man can do can prevent this method of invasion. What 
we can do is to prevent infected, that is diseased plants, from being- 
brought in and planted among healthy ones of the same kind. 
Fomes semitostus isno^yet recorded for Cochin China, but the 
mycology of that country is quite unknown at present, and it may be 
there all the while. However the agriculturists of Cochin China are 
taking care not to let it or any other fungus-pest be imported which 
is prudent. For this object the importation of Hevea-plants is 
