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insect pests are stem-borers ( Schoenobius sp. and 
Diatraea sp.), sucking bugs (Leptoeoriw sp., Podops 
sp., Nephotettix sp.), mole crickets ( Gryllotalpa sp.)> 
and grass-hoppers. Eel-worms sometimes do a fair 
amount of damage in sandy or peaty soils. Stored 
grain is liable to suffer badly from various weevils, 
if no precautions are taken. 
Manures. Manures are little used because of 
their high costs, though where natural 
manures like guano are easily obtained they are 
readily applied. Nitrogenous and phosphatic mix- 
tures appear to be the best manures for rice under 
ordinary conditions and applications of burnt crushed 
bones are common. 
Selection. The Department of Agriculture has 
succeeded in isolating at Titi Serong, 
the main Rice Experiment Station, several heavy 
yielding strains capable of giving increased yields, 
up to 25% above yields derived from unselected 
seed. The selected strains are being distributed and 
cultivators recognise their value so that natural 
redistribution is taking place in many areas. The 
importance of increasing the local production of rice 
may be emphasized by the statement that Malaya 
imports annually $34,000,000 worth of foreign grown 
rice — rice which is not as wholesome as the local 
product. 
Maize. Next to rice, maize is our most 
(Zea Mays), important cereal. It is never seen 
planted on large areas, but occurs in 
countless small garden patches scattered through- 
out the Peninsula, and it is impossible to collect 
statistics of areas and yields at the present time. 
It is a comparatively new crop in Malaya, but there 
is no reason why it should not gradually assume 
