47 
The very drastic method of cutting away affected branches 
which more often than not means cutting off the top of the tree 
or a well developed branch affected by a spore-producing fungus 
tends to accelerate the dissemination of the spores. If any .cutting 
away has to be employed the tar and oil mixture should be 
applied first. 
The oil is mixed witli the tar to prevent drying and not 
because this mixture has any more penetrative power than tar only. 
After using this method of treatment for nearly two years I am 
quite satisfied, and I am sure many planters who have adopted 
the method will agree with me, that it is the only method of 
treatment which is at all satisfactory. 
I agree with Brooks and Sharpies in their statement in Bulletin 
No. 21 of the Department of Agriculture that “where a considerable 
amount of ‘ pink ’• disease is present one can scarcely expect to 
eradicate it completely” but it is possible by treatment not only 
to check the spread of the disease but also to effect a cure without 
the loss of branches which are essential for the production of good 
yields of rubber. 
Individual estates can check the spread of the disease from 
within but frequently there are neighbouring estates and kampongs 
where the disease is not treated equally well and it is impossible 
to check the disease to the extent one could wish. 
I am of the opinion that the treatment of the disease in native 
holdings and kampongs needs revision. Pink disease has increased 
very considerably during the past three years and I think this is 
mainly due to the fact that it is not under control in districts 
where it is rife and I am one, among many, no doubt, who attribute 
renewed outbreaks to fresh infectious from outside sources, chiefly 
from native holdings. 
It is absolutely essential to employ a pest gang constantly 
on all plantations where pink disease has been discovered if any real 
results in checking the disease in the country are to be obtained. 
Die-Back ( Botryodiplodia theobromee). 
The fungus which after pink disease has up to the present 
caused the greatest amount of injury to the parts of the tree 
above ground is the disease which, because of the way in which it 
travels down the tree killing the branches and main stem in its 
progress, has been called and is known as die-back. 
Botryodiplodia theobromm may make its attack in a variety of 
ways ; the commonest method, as far as my experience goes, is to 
enter young shoots killed by two parasitic fungi, Phyllosticta 
ramicola and Glwosporium albo-rubrum , or by one of these; but it 
may enter a wound of any kind. The fungus appears to be"’ 
28 • 
