41 
require the adoption of this method, the tree had better come out 
altogether, for, in the majority of cases, a healthy tree will throw 
off a slight attack. 
This criticism I would also apply to bark rot or claret canker, 
which, in nine cases out of ten, escapes notice until too far gone. 
When leaf, pod or branch canker occurs cutting out or lopping 
off and burning affected parts, followed by sanitation firing and 
cliangkolling, offers to my mind the soundest treatment. 
Another alternative is to lime and bury the fallen deposit. 
In Ceylon, again, research work lays great stress on the value of 
cultivation. And another recommendation, also from Ceylon, is to 
make a thorough inspection and clean out all dead branches and parts, 
etc., just after wintering is over. This, in my opinion, is very sound. 
(2) Pink disease, — In the treatment of this disease, Federated 
Malay States planters follow tw*o schools of thought. We have the 
“ painters ” and the “ surgeons ” and each “ grinds an axe ” of 
plausible argument. 
Which method is correct ? Personally I lean to the surgical 
operation and opine that the knife should be used in all but 
exceptional cases. My observations are that where painting is the 
vogue, such estates never seem to get free of the disease, whereas, 
where the knife has been liberally used, conditions are nearly always 
reversed even on estates in the same district. 
(3) Gestroi. — Though machines for pumping and distributing 
arsenical fumes for the destruction of gestroi are most useful and 
efficacious, alone they do not constitute a cure — that is a cure 
in the sense of ridding an estate of this pest. Termitariums 
have to be searched out and destroyed, and as these are invariably 
located in logs or stumps and a sine qua non to successful operation 
is the removal of timber, etc. Where the pump is most useful is 
in dealing with the rubber tree itself. 
Any attacked tree that is “ pitted ” and shows “ tears of latex,” 
means gestroi inside and also borers, but there is always a difference 
which is easily ascertained. The latter’s droppings are always 
visible. Therefore, use an “augur” on it. Bore a hole first and then 
pump. Afterwards plug the hole with a bit of hard wood dipped in 
Jod elite, cut off flush with the tree, and tar. 
There is nothing difficult in the actual use of the machine, but 
it is important to see : 
(1) That the correct mixture is used; 
(2) That a “ red ” fire is in the brazier ; 
(3) That each tree or log gets a thorough drenching, giving 
five minutes pumping to each dose of mixture put in 
the brazier, and not less than five to six doses per tree ; 
(4) Always carry an augur and don’t be afraid to use it. 
AS 
