136 



Weakly trees whether caused by bad drainage, inferior culti- 

 vation or inferior soil, are the most likely to be those that are 

 attacked by disease and therefore improved conditions of culti- 

 vation, etc. should render the trees more capable of withstanding 

 attacks. 



38. More prolonged study and much experimental work is 

 necessary to demonstrate conclusively the cause of the disease. 

 With our present knowledge of the nature of the disease it is 

 impossible to suggest a remedy for trees that are already infected,* 

 and, therefore, steps must be taken for preventing its spread. 



The rapidity with which the trees have been killed in the 

 Siparia district and the marked resemblance of this disease to 

 that which has proved such a menace to the coco-nut industry of 

 Cuba, should illustrate the need for vigorous action being taken 

 in order to prevent further spread of this disease. 



All diseased trees showing only the 'bud-rot' should be cut 

 down and destroyed. If the planter is sure that it is only bud- 

 rot and not root disease (which is characterised by the disorganized 

 condition of the cortex of the roots and by the reddish ring of 

 discoloration in the stem) it should be sufficient to cut off the top 

 4 or 5 feet from the diseased trees and bury deeply with lime (it 

 would be found impossible to burn such rotten masses as diseased 

 buds). The remainder of the trunk and all rubbish should also 

 be collected and burned or otherwise it may serve to harbour 

 other pests, which eventually may become destructive. Felling 

 and destroying diseased trees is undoubtedly an expensive process 

 but the neglect of these precautions may make all the difference 

 between a trifling loss of trees and a serious epidemic. 



It is also necessary that united action should be taken, for it is 

 useless for one planter to care for his estate and destroy all 

 diseased material while his neighbours allow the disease to 

 multiply and their estates to become centres of infection. 



From observations made in the Siparia district, it would appear 

 that any variety of coco-nut tree may be attacked, but it would be 

 advisable to look diligently for plants that are resistent to this 

 disease for the selection of the most hardy varieties may be a 

 means of assisting better cultivation, destruction of all diseased 

 material, etc., in dealing with this disease. 



Section 4— SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION. 



38 a. In conclusion, it has been possible to establish three 

 separate diseases of coco-nuts in Trinidad, besides those caused 

 by the presence of insect pests. These latter are, at present, 

 doing comparatively little damage, except on one estate in Mayaro 

 district that is suffering from attacks of scale, on another neglected 

 estate in La Brea that was infested with beetles, and another 

 small area in the Icacos district suffering from locusts. 



39. The three diseases have been called the ' Root-disease, 

 the " Leaf-disease" and the " Bud-rot." 



* In Jamaica spraying with Bordeaux mixture has been proved to be a remedy. 

 Editor, Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica. 



