17 



95— CANE DISEASE. 



It may be mentioned in connection witli this subject that cor- 

 respondence has recently reached iis shewing that a Government 

 Commission of Enquiry has been appointed in Martinique to investigate 

 the nature and character of the diseases now affecting the Cane. 

 Application was made to this department for information by the 

 Director of Botanic Gardens at St. Pierre, and the course taken by us 

 was to refer the questions to the representatives of the Sugar Industry, 

 at the Meeting of the Agricultural Society. Replies have been 

 received from prominent planters to the questions sent, and these it 

 is intended to print in the proceedings of the Society, a copy of which 

 will be transmitted to Martinique. 



The attempt of the Agricultural Society to initiate concerted 

 action among West Indian Colonies in securing a thorough investiga- 

 tion into the several diseases affecting the Cane and Banana; has not 

 been supported to the extent expected, and Barbados is the only place 

 which has expressed a Avillingness to unite with Trinidad in holding a 

 conference on the matter. Some Colonies incline to the view that — 

 although the cane disease is known to be present, a public investi- 

 gation would cause a sense of insecurity in the future of sugar, which 

 would not tend to the benefit of the planting interest. Whether they 

 are wise in taking such a view, the future will reveal ; but one thing 

 is certain (viz.), that the presence of a destructive cane pest has been 

 made known. Whether it has been recently introduced, or whether 

 it has been present for years, are debateable points, and what is now 

 required is, not only further investigation on this point, but well-con- 

 certed action, for, no matter how certain those persons may be who 

 have studied the matter, as to the means to be adopted for its exter- 

 mination, it requires something more to get such measures adopted ; 

 and the difficulty of doing so can hardly be comprehended except by 

 those who are intimately acquainted with the facts, and the object in 

 proposing to institute further enquiry, is believed to be, not so much 

 the expectation of finding fresh facts, as with the view to emphasize 

 the views already expressed as to the methods of treatment to be adopted. 

 There are not wanting those among our planters in Trinidad who 

 declare that no extreme measui'es are necessary, Avhile on the other 

 hand there are others who would gladly adopt any measure which 

 promises success, but are unwilling to start alone. If the pest could 

 be proved an old one, no extraordinary danger need be anticipated ; 

 but if new, the possibilities are truly alarming. The evidence so far, 



