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favourably with that of other colonies simply because in nearly 

 every case the cocoa has to play second fiddle to the banana. 



Of course if bananas pay better than cocoa, there is nothing to 

 be said against this, but planters had better make up their minds 

 which does pay best in their own particular circumstances and 

 develop the most profitable industry. 



With reference to what are termed "Gall Spots" on ridgy land 

 which as a rule, simply means spots where the surface soil is very 

 thin and the subsoil very poor, I would strongly advise the cessa- 

 tion of attempts to cultivate such land in bananas or cocoa, and 

 the planting of it with grass and trees, the trees would serve to 

 protect the plants growing in the better parts of the land, and the 

 grass might be cut to manure the same (it is appalling to stand at 

 Highgate and look towards Annotto Bay, for there is absolutely 

 nothing to modify wind storms between there and the open sea.) 

 I may say that this method of dealing with " galls" is being carried 

 out by Mr. Melville of Llanrumney. 



I forwarded some cocoa pods, which were affected with what 

 appears to be a rot ; the pods presenting a nasty brown appear- 

 ance ; the disease attacks pods of varying ages ; I would suggest 

 spraying these trees with bordeaux mixture. 



Thrips were found in places and I would advise spraying these 

 with a kerosene emulsion. I do not think they appear to be any 

 worse than during the last few years. 



My attention was drawn to the spotted appearance of the bana- 

 nas from parts of St. Mary. Mr. E. H. Kerr told me that he 

 thought they got a much larger proportion of fruit with these spots 

 on, during wet weather, but he has promised to observe more 

 closely and report to the Department. Mr. Melville, the attorney 

 of Llanrumney, is of opinion that the spotted fruit comes from land 

 which is poor from any cause ; Mr. Rudolf is of the same opinion, 

 but adds that he thinks it is worse in ratoon bananas than plants. 



A planter at Highgate, assured me that before he had drained 

 a field which he showed me, that all the fruit from this was badly 

 spotted, even as plants, but since draining, the spots have almost 

 entirely disappeared ; there was very little spotted fruit when I 

 saw the field except in some patches which appeared to be in want 

 of still more drainage, and were otherwise naturally poorer. 



These spots on bananas would appear to be a fungoid pest — 

 similar to that attacking the bananas at Hazelymph. 



In conclusion, I would wish to again point out the necessity for 

 the care in laying out drains ; these should always be as free from 

 rapid falling as possible, but where it is impossible to avoid dig- 

 ging the drains straight down steep land, the drain should be either 

 piled at short intervals, or large stones should be laid into them 

 to prevent the rapid rush of the water. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your obedient Servant, 



W. Cradwick. 



