32 FROGHOPPER BLIGHT OF SUGAR-CANE. 



Collens (1906 A.) writing of Harmony Hall Estate says "in 1900 a^^ 

 similar disease attacked the canes — the same larvse were present 

 coincident with similar climatic conditions." 



Gaul (1908) says that blight appeared in this year on several ratoon 

 fields of Woodford-Dale Estate (now part of Cedar Hill). It was con- 

 fined to the most impervious clay soils where the drainage was poor, 

 and near abandoned lands. The damas;e(l canes recovered later. (S^c 

 p. 109 and fig. 27). 



1901-2. 



In this year Harmony Hall and Tarouba Estates, damaged by frog- 

 hopper the y.-ar before, produced their record crop. 



1904-5. 



This was a year of very severe drought and the sugar crop of the 

 island was the lowest for many years, only reaching 38,240 tons. There 

 is however no record of blight. 



The Recent Series of Outbreaks, 1903-1919. 



1906 appears to be the first of a series of severe outbreaks which 

 continued for many years with greater or less intensify. In view of the 

 importance of the rainfall in connection with the outbreaks of blight, 

 Table I has been prepared showing the main features of the season in 

 each of these years. The total rainfall for the year is given as recorded 

 at Brechin Castle Estate, as that is found to be more or less representa- 

 tive of the average rainfall in sugar districts. In Fig. 20 will be found a 

 more complete statement of the annual rainfall on six estates (including 

 Brechin Castle) during the same period. 



The dates of the various broods in the years 1906-1919 will be found 

 tabulated in fiig. 25 (p. 103) where their relation to the commencement of 

 the dry season is discussed. 



The figures given for the crop of the Island in Table I are obtained 

 from the returns published by the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and 

 Tobago and are in long tons of 2,240 lbs. 



