DISEASES AND THEIR CURE 101 



The most exhaustive study of bud rot has been 

 made by Mr. John R. Johnston, an American 

 Government scientist, who says it is believed that 

 birds and insects are carriers of this disease, 

 although that theory requires confirmation. It is 

 certainly transmitted from place to place on the 

 green unhusked coconuts. On the other hand, 

 it is generally found that bud rot, if not caused, is 

 considerably encouraged by humidity, young trees 

 being more susceptible in this respect than old ones. 

 In Trinidad, where the disease is not of a very 

 infectious character, it is frequently due to un- 

 favourable conditions of soil, drainage, etc. 

 Experts claim, therefore, that improved conditions 

 of cultivation, better drainage, and a more richly 

 manured soil would do much to wipe out this 

 disease ; such, in fact, has been the experience in 

 Ceylon, where it has caused serious trouble. 



Very drastic and prompt must be the action taken 

 on any estate where bud rot has developed. We 

 may quote a practical authority, Stockdale, who 

 says : ; All trees showing signs of the disease 

 must be cut down and destroyed. When the planter 

 ia certain that it is nothing but bud rot it should be 

 sufficient to cut 4 or 5 ft. off the top of the diseased 

 trees and bury them deeply in lime, as it would 

 be impossible to burn such rotten masses as 

 diseased buds. The remainder of the trunk and all 

 rubbish should also be collected and burned, other- 



