100 DISEASES AND THEIR CURE 



of the terminal bud and the surrounding soft tissues, 

 the whole cabbage or central bud presenting an 

 unhealthy appearance. Sometimes the drying-up 

 of the central shoots cannot be observed until 

 many of the lower leaves have turned yellow or 

 brown. If the disease reaches a certain stage the 

 terminal bud falls over and the complete death of 

 the tree follows, though frequently a ring of healthy- 

 looking green leaves is left at the top, which remain 

 green for some time after the bud has fallen. When 

 the tree is cut down the planter discovers that the 

 bases of the young leaves and of the still un- 

 developed flower stalks, as well as the soft tissues 

 at the top of the stem, are affected by a soft brown 

 rot which exudes a most unpleasant odour. All 

 the other portions of the tree, the roots and 

 remainder of the stem, will be found quite healthy, 

 a feature which distinguishes this disease from root 

 or stem-bleeding disease. 



The most eminent authorities have concluded 

 that bud rot is caused by a species of bacteria, and 

 one at least considers that it is probably due to the 

 fungus pestalozzia palmarum. The Indian form of 

 this disease is caused by a fungus belonging to the 

 genus pythium. Bud rot is prevalent in most coconut 

 growing countries to a greater or lesser degree. 

 The cause of the disease in Eastern Cuba has been 

 proved to be a bacterial organism practically 

 identical with Bacillus Coli (Escherisch) Migula, 



