INVESTIGATIONS OF THE DISEASE. 33 



the malady had obtained considerable headway. During the year 

 1906 the manager had undertaken to clear up and eradicate the dis- 

 ease. After a year's work he was of the opinion that as fast as in- 

 fested trees were cut down and their tops burned new cases appeared, 

 and he seemed to have the prospect before him of the entire grove 

 going to destruction. In contrast to the swampy condition of the 

 Laventille estate, this place is hilly and well drained and apparently 

 suitable for coconuts. Close examination of these trees, by cutting 

 down and opening the crown, disclosed exactly the same condition as 

 that of the trees alFected by bud-rot in eastern Cuba. 



From Point d'Or southwest coconut groves appeared to be in 

 good condition. At Guapo there had been a few diseased trees that 

 resembled those with the bud-rot. As a matter of fact, the trunks of 

 these trees within 3 feet of the ground showed a red discoloration, and 

 in all probability this is what Mr. Stockdale refers to as the root 

 disease. Only three cases were observed here, so the prospect did not 

 appear to be very serious. 



From Guapo southward to the end of Cedros Point coconuts ap- 

 peared to be in good condition, although it was reported (1905) 

 that there were many diseased trees at Cedros Point. On Mr. Greig's 

 estate of some 110,000 trees, there appeared to be only a very few 

 affected ones, and on examination of the trunks these few showed 

 the red discoloration characteristic of the root disease as described 

 by Mr. Stockdale. Mr. Hart investigated the disease in 1905 on a 

 part of Mr. Greig's estate, and reported the presence in the crown of 

 the soft rot swarming with bacteria. The fact that Mr. Greig kept 

 his estate in excellent condition, i. e., all of the diseased trees cut 

 down and destroyed and the fallen leaves and other debris picked 

 up, probably accounts for the presence of so few cases. The question 

 as to whether the bud-rot or the root disease is the primary trouble 

 on this estate needs further investigation. 



It is reported ^ that in the Siparia district and along the swamp 

 lands below Princestown there has been a great loss of coconut 

 palms, and the description of the disease certainly answers very well 

 for the bud-rot. On the east coast of the island, along which for 

 almost the entire length is a narrow strip of coconuts, there ap- 

 peared to be absolutely no sign of any serious trouble, the trees pre- 

 senting a most healthy appearance and bearing well. 



From these reports it will be seen that wliile the bud-rot has been 

 extremely destructive in certain parts of Trinidad, it must be noted 

 that these parts have in general been greatly neglected or else He 

 in low, swampy situations, such as are entirely unsuitable to coconut 

 growing. 



> stockdale, F. A. Coconut Palm Disease. Trinidad Royal Gazette, Feb. 14, 1907, pp. 361-362. 

 6389°— Bul. 228—12 3 



