243 



ifd discolouration was found lying between the woody exterior and 



the cellular interior parts of the stem. This disco] "ation became 



more prbminent as it reached the growing points and appears specially 

 to infect the base of the leaf stalks and the base of the embryo spathes 

 enclosing the fl iwering organs. These eventually become quite rotten 

 and putrid, the leaves fall and the tree gradually dies, the "heart," 

 "cabbage" or bud becoming completely rotten. 



5. In Kew Bulletin, Vol. for L893, p. II. adisease called Coconut 

 " Fever" is discussed, and British Honduras, Jamaica and Demerara 



are mentioned as places where it has been observed. The description 

 given of this disease appears to leave little doubt as to its identity 

 with that now being examined in Trinidad. As in Trinidad, this 

 disease is reported to occur where, no damage has been done by the 

 Palm Beetle {Rhyncophorus palmarum). 



6. The fact that bacteria and fungi have been found is but a pre- 

 liminary step in the enquiry, as it has yet to be proved which organism 

 is the author or cause of the damage. To prove this is no easy matter 

 as it necessitates a series of experiments to show whether the disease 

 can be actually reproduced by artificial infection with organisms taken 

 from an infected source. Once the origin is proved subsequent work 

 would be devoted to the discovery of protective or remedial measures 

 to devise which before the origin is ascertained would be a hopeless 

 task. So far as can be ascertained no reliable remedy has yet been 

 propounded. 



7. The study of the disease in a proper manner will take up 

 more time than is at the disposal of the writer, as the necessary 

 experiments require undivided attention. 



In my opinion, however, the service is urgent, and I would 

 respectfully urge upon the Executive the necessity of affording 

 Government aid for the purpose of making a thorough investigation, 

 and suggest that such arrangements should at once be made as would 

 secure the services of the Mycologist attached to the Imperial 

 Department of Agriculture. 



This Officer could make use of the Laboratory attached to the 

 office of the Botanical Department for experiments after carrying out 

 the necessary field work, and I should then be in a position to render 

 him every assistance in my power. 



8. It is to be noted that the American scientist, Busck, whose 

 name has been quoted in connection with the disease, is an Entomo- 

 logist and not a Mycologist, and therefore the opinion expressed by 

 him is of little value until fully confirmed, which may or may not 

 occur. 



In the meantime such experiments as suggest themselves for the 

 purpose of throwing light upon the origin of the disease Avill be 

 undertaken by the writer, and such may prove useful as preliminary 

 steps to a more thorough investigation. 



J. H. HART. F.L.S. 

 24th Auffust, 1905. 



