( 8 ) 
this fungus with lightning; a group of trees is 
scorched by lightning and Diplodia enters the 
scorched tissues to grow very rapidly, so that in a 
few days a group of dead, leafless trees is found. 
Bark Before 1916 Malayan rubber planta- 
Diseases. tions had not suffered seriously from 
bark diseases, though plantations in 
Java and Ceylon had been severely affected for 
many years. The most prevalent disease, previous 
to 1916, was “ Black Stripe ” disease, the fungus held 
responsible being a species of Phytophthom. 
Black Stripe. 
This disease assumed epidemic proportions in cer- 
tain districts in Malaya in 1916. A Phytophthora 
was isolated and shown to be the cause of the 
disease. Weather conditions play a large part in 
determining the appearance of Black Stripe epide- 
mics, continued damp and misty mornings being 
exceptionally favourable to the fungus. A dry 
weather period assists in bringing the disease under 
control. 
“Mouldy Rot.” 
This disease, caused by the fungus Sphaeronema 
ftmbriatum, is a serious disease of the tapped bark 
of rubber trees in Malaya. It has recently been 
reported from Java, associated with outbreaks of 
Black Stripe disease. Until two years ago the 
disease was very localised, but recently there has 
been a serious extension of the area affected by the 
fungus. This disease is not easy to control, but the 
damage to the tapped surface can be avoided at a 
reasonably low cost if control measures are correctly 
applied. These take the form of painting the 
affected surfaces with disinfectants at definite 
intervals. ~ i 
