424 
is to abandon pollarding, which after all is not remuner- 
ative. When thinning- out is necessary the tree should be 
completely done away with. When apparently healthy 
trees are attacked the borer usually makes its entrance into 
the tree on the tapped surface, although I have seen on 
one occasion a tree affected below a side branch. 
The majority of these insects are caught in the latex 
and killed, their presence may be detected by latex exuding 
from the tree, ar ’ 7 turning down the bark in thin strings. 
The questh. . lopping must also be noted. Where 
it is necessary to do this it will be well to place tar on the 
wound immediately after the branch is cut. It is useless 
waiting a couple of days, one cooly, with the tar, should 
follow each man who is lopping and the application should 
be made immediately. 
Three species of Lepidopterous larva* have been re- 
ported to this department as defoliators of rubber. I 11 
places they have done considerable harm, but I have been 
unable to make personal observation in connection with 
these pests. No specimens were sent, and I therefore know 
nothing more than the fact that they were caterpillars. 
Here it can be pointed out that it is essential for planters to 
send specimens, and when possible alive. They may be 
placed in a cigarette tin, in which is punctured a few holes, 
with the leaves they are feeding on. Do not keep them in 
this tin for several days before despatch as they will arrive 
dead, and very likely in a putrefying condition, but send 
them off immediately. Where living specimens cannot be 
sent place a few in spirit. Observations should also be 
forwarded. These defoliators will have to he studied dur- 
ing 1909, should they reappear. 
A species of Acridium (grasshopper) is reported from 
two estates as eating the Para rubber leaves. As both of 
these places are planted up with crotalaria 1 was inclined 
to think that this plant encouraged the pest, and from the 
following letter it appears that this cover plant may do so: 
“ The height of the crotalaria varied from 3 feet to 7 feet 
according to whether it had just been topped or not. The 
rubber was planted in May last and eotalaria put in in 
July, the trees which got away well and have their heads 
above the crotalaria are badly eaten as per specimen sent. 
Again those trees which are more backward have no leaves 
at all, simply the straight stem with a very small shoot on 
top. The grasshopper does not, as far as I can see, feed on 
the crotalaria but only the rubber leaves, ” 
