264 E. T. BUTLEK. 



ceased to grow some considerable time previously. A cut tree was 

 found to Have succumbed to a second attack, the first having pene- 

 trated nearly to the bud, killing the outer leaves, and then stopped. 

 Subsequently 5 healthy leaves had been put out and a recom- 

 mencement occurred in the rains, and these and the central bud were 

 killed. In this case it was calculated that the dormant period had 

 lasted four or five months. 



' A number of observers have noticed that palms which show 

 symmetrical spots of disease on the expanded leaf segments always 

 die sooner or later. It has previously been explained that these 

 spots are caused by penetration of the tube of leaf-sheaths at a posi- 

 tion above the growing point, the central bud of folded leaves being 

 reached through its enclosing sheaths. The subsequent death of the 

 crown, occurring sometimes months afterwards, would be readily 

 explained by assuming that extension recommences from the spots 

 on the inner sheaths and ultimately reaches the growing point. 



All the above affords considerable ground for believing that the 

 parasite can pass into a dormant condition actually within the bud, 

 and can recommence activity at a later date, progressing until the 

 growing point becomes involved and death ensues. 



X. — Measures for controlling the disease. 



Suggestions for an organised attempt to stamp out the disease 

 in the infected area were made to the Government of Madras in April 

 1906, and are given almost in full in the paper on Palm Diseases in 

 the Agricultural Journal of India, October 1906, referred to above. 

 As a result, a sum of Rs. 5,000 was provided for a trial of the mea- 

 sures proposed in a limited area. These were sufficiently promis- 

 ing to justify larger proposals, which were given effect to in the mid- 

 dle of 1907. Since that time a large campaign, having as its objects 

 to limit the disease to the area already invaded and to stamp it 

 out within that area, has been in continuous operation. Since 

 January 1910 it is believed that every part of the infected area is 

 being systematically dealt with. 



