VIII 



DISEASES AND ENEMIES 239 



D (3). Damage to Fruits by Birds and Mammals. 



In different countries the fruits are damaged 

 by rats and squirrels. This is the case in 

 some of the Antilles (Guadeloupe), in Samoa, 

 Java, and Kamerun. Birds are sometimes 

 harmful to the fruits (e.g. in Surinam). 



E. Pests attacking the marketable Cocoa. 



Small caterpillars feed on the seed skin of 

 the marketable bean. They have been 

 observed in the West Indies, in Ceylon, and 

 Java. ..... " Chocolate moth " 



(Ephestia elutella~). 



METHODS OF FIGHTING DISEASES AND PESTS 



The fight against fungi and insects, the two 

 large groups of plant-enemies, takes place along two 

 lines: (l) preventing the appearance and spreading 

 of the enemy, and (2) attacking and destroying the 

 parasite when it has appeared. 



I. The appearance and spreading of the enemy may 

 be prevented or hindered by the following methods : 



(a) By making the condition of the tree as healthy 

 as possible. Some parasites do not show a marked 

 preference for weak plants, and as readily attack strong 

 and healthy trees ; but there are others which seem 

 unable to get hold of a strong tree and which only 

 attack trees in a weakened condition. This is the 

 case, for instance, with the cocoa thrips, and more or 

 less with the "canker" fungus. 



(6) By avoiding the presence of dead wood in the 

 trees, because it enables parasites to enter more easily 

 into the living branches. This is the case, for instance, 

 with '" die-back " fungus and the various borers. 



(c) By seeing that the atmosphere of the cocoa 

 fields is not too damp. Dampness favours the growth 

 and multiplication of most fungi, and consequently 

 letting in air and sun is often a help in the fight against 

 diseases caused by parasitical fungi ( u black rot " of 

 pods, " canker " of stem and branches). 



(d) By avoiding the presence of other kinds of 



