58 



to the copper sulphate solution through a sieve so as to retain any 

 lump. A thick bluish liquid results which on standing throws 

 down a bluish precipitate, leaving the other part of the liquid clear. 

 To test if fit for use, add a few drops of Ferrocyanide of Potas- 

 sium to a small quantity of the clear liquid in a dish. If a brown- 

 ish precipitate appears, more lime must be added till no precipitate 

 is given on testing. Or a clean steel knife may be clipped in it 

 and if more lime is necessary, a deposit of copper will form on 

 the knife. If none is formed it is ready for use. Stir well before 

 using. 



Similar remedies have been advocated for a coco-nut palm 

 disease known as " bud rot," which is attracting much attention 

 in Cuba and the West Indies at the present time. This disease 

 has many points of similarity to the Godavari one, though different 

 causes have been provisionally assigned for it. It has been found by 

 Mr. Cradwickin Jamaica that spraying the trees with Bordeaux mix- 

 ture when they show the first sign of disease has been effectual, 

 and it is hoped, in Jamaica at all events, that with the use of 

 Bordeaux mixture the disease may be kept in hand. Mr. Busck of 

 the Division of Entomology of the U. S. Department of Agricul- 

 ture, who investigated the disease in Cuba in IQOI, believes it to 

 be a fungal one and considers that its fatal nature precludes a 

 remedy for trees already infected and leaves only the prevention 

 of the spread of the disease as the object for man's intervention. 

 He recommends the cutting clown and burning of the tops of the 

 diseased palms. Dr. Erwin Smith of the same Department studied 

 the disease in Cuba in 1904. He believes the disease to be a bac- 

 terial one but gives the same general measures for treatment. 

 Diseased trees should be felled and the terminal bud burned or 

 properly disinfected with sulphate of copper. Mr. Petch, Govern- 

 ment Mycologist, Ceylon, gives an account of a coco-nut disease, 

 which he considers identical with " bud rot," in a recent circular 

 of the Royal Botanical Gardens Ceylon. He also recommends 

 the removal and burning of the tops of diseased trees. 



To be effective it is absolutely necessary to have united action 

 in carrying out the measures recommended above. It is useless 

 for one village to remove the source of infection if diseased trees 

 are allowed to remain in neighbouring fields to convey infection 

 back again. But the opportunity is a rare one, for the limitation 

 of the disease is such as to render concerted action possible, and 

 there is at least a fair prospect of being able to stamp it out before 

 it passes beyond control. 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES. 

 The first monthly meeting of the Board of Agriculture since the 

 Earthquake of 14th January, was held on Thursday 14th March ; 

 Present : Hon H. Clarence Bourne, Colonial Secretary, Chairman ; 

 the Director of Public Gardens, the Island Chemist, the Superin- 

 tending Inspector of Schools, Mr. G. D. Murray and the Secretary. 



