168 
In dealing with diseases of coffee we do know that leaf-disease 
is so pronounced aud so universal that the plant is practically born 
with it. Young plants in the nursery, existing under any but 
congenial conditions will often suffer to an extent uncredited, and 
failing to respond to the usual Bordeaux-mixture treatment, 
wear a most distinctly worried look until isolated, as it were, in its 
proper place in the field. It is encouraging however to know that 
the plant, when once well established in the best surroundings, 
carries on as if no sickness existed, because, unlike so many of its 
relations, its constitution is strong enough to throw off the disease 
without the aid of artificial remedies. 
The functions of its tap-root are such as to be specially intolerant 
of wet feet, so that it would be futile to engage in the industry at all 
unless perfect drainage 6an be obtained. Unlike rubber, the coffee 
tree, although possibly existing, can be of no use without its tap-root . 
A tree planted with a twisted tap-root will inevitably succumb 
to attacks of various sorts, as there is no provision apparently 
in nature to enable it to bold its own by the aid of its lateral 
roots only. 
With the non-existence of the tap-root it matters little whether 
Termea gestroi or Fomes get to work or not because the tree is 
practically doomed. 
Progress of science, and application of scientific methods have 
disclosed a very much wider field in a comparatively short period, 
and it is with this knowledge that I would advocate the necessity of 
embarking upon (what 1 may be forgiven if I term) a new industry 
with very different premises, and on lines of a broader nature than 
the old coffee planters were taught to work upon. I would say that 
clean-clearing of sub-soil timber will be a question for urgent 
discussion, and should receive the consideration that it deserves. 
Touching lightly upon pests, no one who saw, and has been 
made aware of, the damage done to estates by the caterpillar of the 
bee-hawk moth, would enter upon the cultivation with the idea 
that, given good prices, all would be well. 
Assuredly this pest will make its apperance again, but the 
knowledge of remedial measures is more available now than it was, 
and for safety and insurance against the spread of this devastating 
pest I would strongly recommend that no large areas be planted 
without dividing-belts. 
Prom the foregoing I trust it will be clear that the writer is in 
no way posing as an expert in the cultivation (I would say that with 
only superficial knowledge at our disposal we have yet to find one) 
but is actuated by the conviction that the prosperity of the country 
means prosperity for the individual, and if ever there was a time in 
the affairs of the Federated Malay States when everything should be 
considered with a view to its permanent prosperity it is now. No 
