130 



but occasionally longer rods, all apparently gas producers. One 

 of the commonest sorts formed round dense creamy white opales- 

 cent colonies on agar. Another formed thin gray-white iridescent 

 colonies on agar. A terminal spore-bearing, tetanus-like organism 

 was also often abundant in the decayed tissues, even close to the 

 advancing margin of the rot, and this is probably an anaerobe as 

 it was not obtained in any of the many cultures. 



The picture of one diseased tree will answer for many. No 

 fungi or insect injuries were found which could in the least account 

 for the death of the tree. The disease is the result of a bacterial 

 rot of the terminal bud and its wrappings, including the flower 

 buds. The bacteria probably find their entrance through wounds 

 of some sort, and their distribution is undoubtedly favoured by 

 carrion creatures. The larva found deepest down in the rotting 

 tissues was that of the common scavenger fly, Hennetia illucens, L. 

 Occasionally the crown of a tree was found yellow from other 

 causes, but if the youngest visible leaf (projecting five or six feet) 

 was observed to be lopped over and wihing or shriveled, the soft 

 rot was sure to be found on cutting down the tree and removing 

 the close-wrapped leaf bases. No attempt has yet been made to 

 produce the disease by pure cultures. 



Diseased trees should be felled and the terminal bud burned or 

 properly disinfected with sulphate of copper. Only the most 

 energetic action is likely to avail. 



THE TOBACCO OF JAMAICA, II. 



The following correspondence relating to the development of 

 the tobacco industry of Jamaica is published for general informa- 

 tion : — 



Extract from a letter from Professor W. R. Dunstan, Director of the 

 Imperial Institute, to the Ltider-Secretary of State Jor the Colonies, 

 dated December, 20, 1904- 



The trade report made by Mr. Chalmers* on the tobacco of Ja- 

 maica is of considerable interest. 



The fact is already appreciated in this country that Jamaica is 

 able to produce cigars of excellent quality. The quality does not 

 however, appear to be uniform. The subject is so important that 

 no effort should be spared to take whatever steps are needed for 

 the development of the industry. If the recommendations made 

 by Mr. Chalmers in his report are to be followed, it would seem 

 highly desirable to obtain expert advice with reference to the cul- 

 tivation, picking, fermentation, and curing of tobacco suitable for 

 the manufacture of cigars. This assistance could best be obtained 

 from Cuba, or from Sumatra or Florida, where suitable varieties of 

 tobacco are successfully produced. 



This step has been recently taken in connection with the de- 

 velopment of the tobacco industry in South Africa and also in 

 Ireland. 



* Bulletin for Dec, 1P04, page 265. 



