172 CHAPTER IX 



5. Use of Fungicide Washes on the Seed. — The exposed ends of cane 

 cuttings form a most convenient point of entry for fungus spores, particularly 

 for those of Thielaviopsis paradoxa causing the pineapple disease, and it is 

 this organism more than any other which is responsible for the non-germina- 

 tion of cuttings. It has been shown by the experiments of Howard^^* 

 in Barbados, and of Cobb in Hawaii, that soaking the cuttings in Bordeaux 

 mixture preparatory to planting is a very efficient prophylaxis. 



Bordeaux mixture is prepared as follows : — 



Dissolve 6 lbs. crystallized copper sulphate in 25 gallons of water. 



Slake 4 lbs. of quicklime in 25 gallons of water. 



Gradually add the quicklime to the copper solution, with constant stir- 

 ring ; when completely added test the mixture by immersing in it for a few 

 seconds a bright steel blade. If the blade becomes coated with a red deposit 

 of copper more lime must be added. 



The time over which the cuttings should be left to soak is half an hour. 



In addition to the use of Bordeaux mixture, the protection of the cut 

 ends with tar has been proposed. 



6. Destruction of Disease Organisms. — This method is broadly included 

 as an underlying cause for the benefits to be obtained from a crop rotation. 

 As applied more directly, the recommendations of Howard, Lewton-Brain, 

 and Cobb for the destruction of the various root fungi by the application 

 of heavy dressings of quicklime may be quoted. A second widely recom- 

 mended procedure is the destruction of dead cane and trash. This procedure 

 is, however, economically unsound as a principle in agricultural economics, 

 and may even be obnoxious, considered in relation to insect control. 



7. Avoid all practices such as high trashing that tend to injure the cane. 

 This advice has been made with regard to such organisms as obtain an 

 entrance to the stem through wounds. 



8. Inspect and quarantine all cane received from foreign countries, 

 and if such are allowed to enter, restrict the importation to one or two cut- 

 tings which may be subjected to a rigid inspection. 



For more detailed accounts of the pests and diseases of the cane, reference should 

 be made to the following : — • 



Van Deventer. " Die dierlijke Vijanden van het Suikerriet op Java." 

 Went & Wakker. " Die Ziekten van het Suikerriet op Java." 

 Prillieux & Delacroix. " Maladies des Plantes cultivees en Pays chauds." 

 Butler. " Fungi aud Disease in Plants." 

 Archief voor die Java Suikerindustrie. (Soerabaya). 

 The West Indian Bulletin. (Barbados). 

 Memoirs of the Department of Agriculture in India. 

 Bulletins of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association. (Honolulu). 

 The Agricultural News. (Barbados). 

 International Sugar Journal. (London), 

 Journal of Economic Entomology. (Washington D.C.) 



Departmental Reports and Journals published in British Guiana, Trinidad, 

 Queensland, Mauritius, Porto Rico, etc. 



REFERENCES IN CHAPTER IX 



Three Prize Essays on Cane Cultivation. 



Histoire des Plantes de la Guyane Fran9aise. 



A Treatise on Planting. 



Natural History of Barbados, 



In a publication of the U.S. Dept. of Agric. 



