10 
XXL PESTS AND DISEASES 
69. The long tailed macaque monkeys in the Gardens remain the major 
pest. Six were shot. The services of two separate trappers, both doing big 
business in trapping monkeys in the Federation of Malaya for export for 
medical research, were enlisted, with barely any success. One caueht six 
monkeys only, the other one. This failure is as depressing as it is interesting 
for these trappers catch the same species of monkey (Macaca irus) with con¬ 
spicuous success in the forests of the Federation by exactly the same methods 
they tried in the Gardens. One must comment that the monkeys of the forest 
would seem to suffer the misfortune of a certain rustic simplicity through 
which they fall victim of the ruses of the ruthless trapper. And on the other 
hand the Gardens" monkeys raised in daily contact with their human cousins 
have acquired an urbanity and a protective sharpness of wit, and a familiarih 
and contempt for human wiles which would have done credit to many a 
Dickens character. There would appear to be a similar problem in the Lake 
Gardens of Kuala Lumpur and is one which could develop elsewhere wherever 
feeding by the public displaces or amplifies an inadequate source of natural 
food. 
70. Continuous spraying of insecticides and fungicides has helped to 
check fungal diseases and insect pests. Certainly too the drier weather has 
limited epidemic conditions for fungal diseases and has thereby limited fungi¬ 
cide trials. The trouble with Helminthosporium orvzce experienced in 1957 (see 
Annual Report 1957, paragraph 70) has recurred but only to a mild degree 
Some damage to palms by the rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros ) and the 
red stripe weevil Rhynchophorus ferruginea var. schach) continues Compost 
heap breeding sites of the former are regularly examined and the grubs re¬ 
moved but an appreciable infection must come from outside the Gardens 
With the clearing of the countryside for housing projects no control is exer¬ 
cised over the disposal of coconut timber, which remains a source of infection 
XXII. GOVERNMENT HOUSE DOMAIN 
71. The grounds were kept in good condition throughout the year The 
mechanical equipment did sterling work, particularly the Hayter rotor scythe 
which is found to be a very versatile machine. 
72. The gardens in front of Government House, the Chief Secretary's 
House and the Attorney-General's House were given special attention All 
borders, shrubs and young trees were fed with compost and sterameal once 
or twice during the year or even a third time according to requirements The 
shrubs of Stenolobmm mans require liberal manuring and always repaid this 
extra attention. The canna beds were replanted twice and the orchid bed near 
the office was mulched regularly every 2-3 months. At House No 3 occupied 
by ihe Permanent Secretary to the Ministers, the tennis court was top-dressed 
and brought into playing condition. Beds of shrubs and borders in the -arden 
of this house were mulched twice Government House and other houses in 
the Domain were kept supplied with flowers and flowering plants. 
73. Much of the labour was concentrated on stacking and turning com- 
post heaps Cattle dung was obtained from the quarantine station, when avai - 
able, and brewers leys for composting. A regular supply of elephant manure 
was obtained which is an excellent starter. Experiments were carried out usin* 
sawdust in the mixture for composting, but its decay under current method! 
and requirements is too slow to make it a valuable ingredient 
