RECOMMENDATIONS. 163 



(10) The cause of the disease in eastern Cuba is shown by repeated 

 inoculation exj)eriments to be a bacterial orj^anisni. 



(11) Cultural studies of the oro;anism causing the bud-rot show it 

 to be practically identical with Bacillus coli (Escherich) I^ligula. 



(12) Inoculations into coconut seedlings with Bacillus coli of 

 animal origin give infections similar to inoculations with the coconut 

 organisms. 



(13) Com])arison of Bacilhis coli with the organisms first isolated by 

 the writer and those isolated by at least one other worker indicate 

 that Bacillus coli has been isolated in other experiments but not 

 identified. 



(14) Comparison of the bud-rot caused by Bacillus coli with several 

 diseases of the coconut palm ascribed in hterature to other causes 

 indicate that several of these diseases are identical wdth bud-rot. 



(15) Comparison of the bud-rot of the coconut palm with diseases 

 of several other palms suggests that they may be the same thing. 



(16) Studies with the microscope show that the bacteria thrive 

 only in the meristematic tissues wlxich are Httle or not at all hgnified. 

 Stomatal infections are common on the young tissues. 



(17) It is believed that birds and insects are carriers of this 

 disease, but the subject requires further study. 



(18) The value of the annual importation of coconuts and coco- 

 nut products into the United States is about S4,000,000. In 1906 

 Baracoa, Cuba, w^as our largest source of coconuts, wdth Trinidad as 

 second. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



Owing to the widespread distribution of the bud-rot no coconut 

 district in the American Tropics is secure from danger of infection. 

 This bud-rot is due to a bacterial organism which may be distributed 

 from place to place on the green unhusked coconut, and may be car- 

 ried to healthy trees by insects or other animal Hfe infesting diseased 

 trees. 



It is recommended, therefore, to cut down all badly diseased trees, 

 or at least trim the tops and set fire to them. All debris, fallen 

 leaves, nuts, etc., should be removed so as to destroy any infected 

 material and any breeding place for insects which might serve to 

 transmit the disease. 



These ordinary methods of sanitation, together with proper 

 methods of cultivation, if carried out faithfully by the planters of a 

 whole district will reduce the loss by tliis disease to a minimum. 



It is further urged that attempts be made to extend the coconut 

 industry in Porto Rico to take the place of the rapidly f aiUng groves 

 of eastern Cuba. Inasmuch as tliis island appears to be free from the 

 disease, it is urged also that special efforts be made by the General 

 Government of the United States to keep it so. 



228 



