Abstract

The old proverb 'There is many a slip between the cup and the lip' comes home to none so truly and painfully truly as to the poor cultivator. One rain too little, one rain too much, one contrary wind when the ears are filling, a disease to the plant as it grows, an unwelcome shower when the harvest is ripe for the sickle, all or any of these is enough to dash down the cup of prosperity. The inevitable natural agencies being left aside, attempts are now being made to prevent or remedy the diseases prevalent, with some success. There are as many diseases in the plant world as there are in the animal kingdom. The agents thet cause the malady range from the minute organisms to highly developed ones. Of the many insect pests that attack the ri plant the stem borer (Schoenobius Bipunctifer) is said to be res- ponsible for the decrease of about ten per cent in the yield every year. To make matters worse, a disease, locally called 'Than- deethu' or 'Anaikkombu,' has assumed serious proportions and mercilessly attacks the rice plant. The ever superstitious ryot is ready to attribute this to the wrath of the village goddess and runs for rescue to the village poosari (priest) who pretends to know the method to charm away the disease. Some ascribe it to thunderstorms or to the cloudy sky or to westerly winds, over all of which man has no control. Some of the remedial measures suggested are the application of neem cake, groundnut cake, pig dung and so on. The result, however, is not altogether satis- factory.

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