95 
Carbon Bisulphide . — As already pointed out this has much to 
recommend it, particularly its effectiveness. The rat has no option: 
it is not a matter of taking or leaving bread. The animal will 
succumb if it is in the hole. 
To obtain good results the applications should begin as soon as 
the rats enter the fields, which the Malays tell me is about a month 
after the plants are put out. The batas should be as few as are 
consistent with the slope of the ground; they should be kept clean 
of grass and weeds so that holes may be readily seen. An examin- 
ation should be made twice a week, or oftener, and every hole 
treated as described above. After the first two weeks or so the 
number of holes found will be very few, and with a little trouble 
the vermin should be entirely exterminated. Carbon bisulphide 
delivered at Port Swettenham, costs 60 cents a pound. I believe a 
pound should do an acre, but I can make no definite statement. 
The amount will depend on how little is wasted, the number of 
batas, and the number of tunnels in them. 
The disadvantages are:— 
(1) Its volatility. If care is not exercised much maybe lost 
into the air. 
(2) If must be handled carefully. The vessel contained it 
should not be struck heavy blows or knocked about, 
and should not be exposed for long to the direct rays of 
the sun. 
Perhaps the Penghulu or some responsible person could be 
charged with the custody of the liquid, and the superintendence 
of its application. I think 2 lb. tins would be a suitable size to 
use. Only one of these should be supplied each time. The tin 
could be surrounded with sawdust in a thick-sided wooden box, 
and fixed in so that it could not fall out. With these precautions 
and with a suitable cork, which we should be able to devise, there 
would be no danger, except in cases of extreme negligence. 
When further experiments have been made directions as to how 
to apply it will be prepared. Perhaps a number of Penghulus 
could be collected at suitable centres and demonstrations given by 
a qualified man from the Department of Agriculture. 
W. J. GALLAGHER. 
Note.— Re Danysz Virus see 11 Agricultural Blletin ” v. 373 (Ed.) 
P. P. A 
Annual General Meeting. 
At the first annual general meeting of the Perak Planters ; 
Association, held on Friday afternoon last, 14th instant, at the Ipoh 
Club, the following Members were present : Messrs. W. DUNCAN 
(m the chairj C. L. Gibson, John I. Philips, C. V. Stephens, 
