rendered worthless by the first two insects. The efforts to control 

 them have been on such a smaU scale that they have had an 

 almost undisputed field of operations since they were first 

 noticed in 1909. The seriousness of the position is obscured by the 

 huge increase of cacao exported, which is due entirely to new areas 

 coming into bearing. The present system of cultivation cannot go 

 on indefinitely, as the decreasing yield of the older plantations, as well 

 as the spread and large increase of damage and loss caused by the 

 wound fungus, Diplodia sp., must be largely if not entirely credited to 

 the suctorial enemies of cacao. Control measures can only be worked 

 along the lines indicated in 1914. Unless abandoned plantations are 

 destroyed, badly infested areas quarantined, and the extension of 

 planting limited, it is to be feared that the industry will reach the verge 

 of extinction before a new system is evolved. Helopeltis bergrothi has 

 also been found feeding on the soft shoots of Strophanthus grains and of 

 Cryptostegia madagascariensis. With regard to the doubt which still 

 exists as to how this and other species in other parts of the world pass 

 through the dry season [see this Review, Ser. A, iii, p. 661], it is stated 

 to have been found in this Colony in small numbers in open places as 

 well as in moist, sheltered spots during that period. No progress can 

 be reported in the control of this pest. As it breeds in fairly large 

 numbers on plants of AcaJgpha, Bixa and Aralia adjacent to cacao at 

 Aburi and yet seldom does damage to cacao on an economic scale in 

 the gardens, it may be found possible to cultivate hedges of these plants 

 round cacao with a view to trapping the insects upon them. 



Homoeocerus sp., which is slowly spreading in the Aburi district, 

 and does serious damage to cacao, has been found breeding and feeding 

 on guavas and on the fruits of Euqenia micheli. The eggs have also 

 been found on the fruit of Bixa. Further information as to its original 

 food-plants is required. Probably persistent hand collecting or the 

 formation of an artificial close season for cacao fruits will be the only 

 way to deal with this pest in the future. 



Archon cenlaurus, Burm. (rhinoceros beetle) has been the source of 

 much trouble on coconuts at Assuantsi. During the year, 4,033 adults 

 were captured on 20 acres. This method of control is reported to be 

 costly, but the results are satisfactory. The necessity for thoroughly 

 clearing the ground before planting is emphasised. 



Urich (F. W.). Silk Culture in Trinidad. — Bull. Dept. Agric. Trinidad 

 and Tobago, Port- of- Spain, xv, no. 5, 1916, pp. 163-171, 2 figs. 



This article gives an account of the history of silk cutlure in the 

 West Indies, including experiments made with Attacus cynthia 

 (Ailanthus silk worm), Antheraea pernyi (Chinese oak silkworm), 

 Telea polyphemus (North American silkworm) and Callosamia 

 2)romethea. 



In the recent report of the Imperial Institute on samples of silk from 

 Trinidad, it is stated that the most promising varieties were the 

 Mulberry and Eri silk and that the latter will probably be found the 

 better as a local industry. Before the public are advised to take up 

 sericulture, it is suggested that some experiments should be made with 

 the Trinidad silk moth, Attacus hesperiis, the food-plant of which is a 

 species of Casearia. 



