158 

 671 — THEOBROMA ANGUSTIFOLIA— (Moc & Sesse.) 



This species of Cacao is one of those introduced by the writer 

 from Nicaragua in 1893. 



It has given several pods containing mature seeds during the 

 present month November, 1904. so that it has taken eleven years to 

 reach its fruiting stage. 



It proves to be a hardy tree in Trinidad and quite distinct from 

 the ordinary commercial Cacao which is the produce of Theobroma 

 Cacao, Linn. 



The produce of this tree is of no value for making commercial 

 Cacao, as the beans have a strong and unpleasant flavour, and is there- 

 fore at present little more than a botanical curiosity. It may, 

 however, prove of value as a stock for the grafting or budding of the 

 commercial kinds. 



672.— THE COCONUT BEETLE. Rhyncophorus palmarum, Linn. 



As the area under Coconut cultivation increases complaints of the 

 attack of the Palm beetle Rhyncophorus palmarum have become numer- 

 ous, and recently several pertinent enquiries have come to hand for 

 remedial measures. 



This beetle is known to attack many kinds of the palms, but is 

 more commonly said to be attracted by the ' : Gru-gru" (Acrocomia 

 lasiospatha) the larva? of this species being commonly known as the 

 " Gru-gru" worm. 



It has been found impossible in most cases to save trees once 

 badly attacked, owing to impracticability of getting at the worms so 

 effectually as to be able to destroy them, and hence attention has 

 been devoted to measures which are efficient, although only preventi- 

 tive in character. 



The Life-history of the beetle is well-known, and the habits of 

 the mature insects fortunately afford the planter an opportunity to 

 decrease them in number. 



It is known that the beetle lavs its eggs in wounds made in the 

 stems, leaf-stalks or terminal growth of a palm tree; whether the 

 Coconut or any commoner speeies. If, therefore, the commoner species 

 are present as they usually are, it is true economy that they should 

 be sacrificed for the benefit of the more valuable. If the "Palmiste" 

 or "Royal Palm," the " Gru-gru," etc., are present two or three 

 should be selected to be cut down and used for the purpose of 

 attracting the beetles, to enable the operator to catch ami destroy 

 them. The mode of procedure is as follows : Cut down '• Royal Palm," 

 "Palmiste" or " Gru-gru" or any other palm the beetle is known to 

 attack, and make it into lengths of four to six feet, splitting some of 

 these sections in halves. 



Allow these to lie in the open exposed to the weather to allow 

 the pulpy interior to become sour. After the first twenty -four hours, 

 it will be found that fermentation of the sap has set in. causing a sour 

 smell. This odour attracts the coconut beetles which find the soux 



