44 proceedings: botanical society 



tic and Gulf States to obtain data on the seriousness of the disease and 

 on its relation to various environmental factors. High temperature 

 and moisture are necessary for extensive development, and in favor- 

 able regions in the South the disease causes a damage of 5 per cent 

 to 10 per cent. It will not be a serious factor in the North and West 

 except locally and under exceptional conditions. 



The disease was also found on teosinte at two points in South Caro- 

 lina and at one point in Louisiana. 



Heavy infection of fields never before planted to corn may be ex- 

 plained by the presence of other host plants or by the carriage of infec- 

 tion on the seed corn. 



The 124th regular meeting of the Society was held at the Cosmos 

 Club, Tuesday, December 4, 1917; 72 members and 8 guests were 

 present. 



C. S. Scofield: Geographical aspects of Haitian agriculture. Haiti 

 lies adjacent to the steamship route between New York and Panama 

 and has the most direct access to our markets of any of the American 

 Tropics. The climate is favorable to crop production, the land is fertile, 

 and the dense population provides a cheap and abundant supply of labor. 

 The coastal delta plains are favorably located for irrigation and the 

 production of sugar cane and cotton, and the hill slopes are well suited 

 to coffee, which is now the chief commodity of export. The interior 

 plains and the higher mountain slopes produce an abundance of grass 

 for stock production. 



The present government, with American cooperation, has eliminated 

 the conditions of internal disturbance that formerly retarded develop- 

 ment and prosperity. The construction of roads and the protection 

 of the peacefully inclined inhabitants is resulting in greatly increased 

 crop production, which is opportune at this time. 



C. B. Doyle: Botanical aspects of Haitian agriculture. In Haiti 

 there is very little left to represent the original forest covering. The 

 primitive milpa system of agriculture is used and the natives live in 

 scattered families or small groups. There are only a few large planta- 

 tions on the island, the bulk of the crops of the three principal exports 

 (coffee, cacao, and cotton) being produced on the small native farms. 



Most of the food plants are of American origin, but as in many 

 tropical American countries, it is the introduced species that have 

 become of the greatest importance to the natives. Many different 

 kinds of fine fruits are abundant, but several species prominent in 

 other parts of tropical America, such as the papaya, sapote, sapodilla, 

 and pineapple, are absent or little used. Among the root crops that 

 are commonly grown are sweet potatoes, yams, yautias, and cassava, 

 and more recently white potatoes are being successfully produced in 

 the cool mountain districts southeast of Port au Prince. 



In comparison with other tropical countries, conditions appear 

 favorable for crop production in Haiti, if a more effective organization 

 of agriculture can be established, together with a better means of 

 marketing the products. 



H. N. Vlstall, Corresponding Secretary. 



