70 



intervals and remove any pods large or small, seen to be diseased and 

 bury them at once, in the same way. If quick lime is available, a 

 quantity should be sprinkled on empty pods before covering with 

 earth. 



613-TREATMENT OP WOUNDS CAUSED BY BAD 

 PRUNING IN CACAO PLANTATIONS. 



In Cacao plantations under the old system of cutlass pruning, snags 

 or stumps have been left with jagged edges. Into these spots, spores 

 of various wood-destroying Fungi readily find their way, with the result 

 that decay sets in rapidly, and wood ants take up a position 

 therein, eating away the decayed wood, and leaving large holes in the 

 stem to the depth of several inches. Water enters these holes and tend 

 to decay the wood more quickly by its presence, and eventually the 

 decay reaches the heart of the tree, and it gradually dies out. It is 

 certain that more trees are lost by bad pruning on a Cacao estate 

 than from any other cause. In pruning cacao, all branches should be 

 removed close up to the stem and no snags, spurs, or projecting stumps 

 should be left, but any branch removed should be cut close, the surface 

 of the cut being made in a proper direction to shed water. It should 

 then be pared with a sharp knife or other tool to make it smooth, 

 and a little tar applied as a styptic or antiseptic dressing. If 

 this is done the edges of the wound will rapidly close over and 

 completely shut out moisture and all rotting will be stayed. In 

 cases, however, where holes exists in the stem, they should be 

 carefully cleaned out and filled up with Portland cement and sand 

 mixed in the proportion of one of cement to three of fine clean sand. 

 This will effectually stop the hole and prevent the entrance of water, 

 and will save the life of many a valuable tree. 



The suggestion may be dismissed by some as being too expensive, 

 a little calculation of the cost and value of a tree, will I think prove 

 to any reasonable mind, that it would be money well expended. At 

 any rate, it is hoped this notice will persuade planters to try it a 

 little at a time, as there can be no doubt of the ultimate result. 



It is to be remembered that large cultivations like cacao, 

 are sure sooner or later to be attacked by disease, and in Cacao 

 plantation, as in cities, it is the cleanest and healthiest that escape, and 

 not those, where neglect of Hygeinic measures is but too apparent. So 

 it will be with Cacao, a clean and healthy tree is much less likely to be 

 attacked than one in a half starved, and neglected condition. Tar all 

 wounds therefore and prevent entrance, of disease and the rotting ot 

 stems to the heart, and if neglect of pruning is apparent, by holes in the 

 stem, have them filled as soon as possible with cement composition. 



614.-SEA ISLAND COTTON. 



By Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., and J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., &c. 



In part No. 4, of the fourth volume of the West Indian Bulletin, 

 issued by the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies, 

 there is gathered a collection of information on this subject which 



