516 
a sign that something has interfered with the water supply to the parts 
above ground; it is due to the “ringing” 0 f the tap root by the fungus. 
Little or no latex will flow out in response to a wound in the stem. 
Occasionally the leaves fail off, but generally before this happens the 
tree is blown down. Sometimes a healthy looking tree falls over, the 
leaves remain green, and the plant apparently continues to grow. If 
the roots are examined all will be found to be dead except one or two 
lateral roots which still supply the necessary nourishment; and it is 
only a question of da>. r at most weeks until these are killed. 
Owing to the destruction of some of the lateral roots by tne pa*, 
site a tree frequently loses its firm hold in the -WI d ' j 8 shaken abcr 
by 'uW wind causing a cup-shaped depres. 
T-kis niay g 0 on f or many days before the tret 
of the disease but it is a pretty sure indication 03 
disease, and the “ shuck” tree, as planters it 
as infected an’’ incurable. 
The following extracts taken at random fro 
Department from different districts give an idea 
the symptoms as observed by planters. 
ounu the collar. 
} any other signs 
■sence of root 
' treated 
j into the 
ormity of 
A — “ The first signs are the leaves turning a 
metallic colour, drooping, and then falling off. It does not show until 
the trees are practically dead the high lands seem 
as subject to it as the valleys or flats estate 
virgin jungle.” 
B “The diseased plants are scattered over 
estate, but in one instance four or five were together. The leaves 
generally be( )ome a rus ty colour from the bottom upwards 
thex-c icl no inclination to topple over except where white 
ants have eaten the roots..... , ground well drained, 
plants from o^and a half to two years old 
...estate virgin jungit,” 
C - “In sporadic instances over the planted 
area well-nurtured trees (mostly eighteen months old) have suddenly 
died back ten cases on 300 acres, in the last six 
months ; this in itself is nob serious, but one has to look to the future?, 
especially as fungus seem« to be the cause.” 
D “ On this estate there is somewhat heav^ 
mortality among tree.'s of 20-30 months old the 
disease is especially rapid as noted above ground 
trees appear “ shuck ; ” leaves crumple and in the course of a day or 
two fall off sickness attacks not in isolated cases 
but in clumps of adjacent trees. The tap root seems to be first attacked. 
The neighbouring estate in same lie of country seems to be free of the 
disease.” 
E “ About a dozen have died out on 26 acres 
each root has a white thready growth on it 
virgin jungle other trees 
healthy looking «... those that have died have been 
in different parts of the land.” 
