H2 COCONUT CULTIVATION 



many of the lower leaves have turned yellow or 

 brown, while in a few instances, the outer leaves 

 are the first to appear unhealthy. The disease 

 does not seem to follow any very definite 

 sequence as regards the order in which the 

 leaves are attacked, nor to be very constant in 

 its point of origin, at any rate as it is known in 

 the West Indies. After a time, the terminal 

 bud falls over and the complete death of the 

 tree follows slowly. Frequently, a ring of 

 healthy-looking green leaves is left at the top, 

 and these may continue green for some time 

 after the bud has fallen. On cutting down a 

 tree showing these symptoms, it is found that 

 the bases of the young leaves and of the still 

 undeveloped flower stalks, as well as all the soft 

 tissues at the top of the stem, are affected by a 

 soft brown rot and give off a most unpleasant 

 smell. All the other portions of the tree, the 

 roots and remainder of the stem, will be found 

 to be quite healthy a feature which dis- 

 tinguishes this disease from root disease or 

 stem bleeding. Furthermore when the youngest 

 visible leaf is observed to have fallen over and 

 wilted, it is almost certain that the bud rot is 

 present. 



The cause of this disease is at present un- 

 certain, though several authorities are inclined 

 to attribute it to the presence of bacteria. 

 Although the parasitic organism has not been 

 definitely determined, there is but little doubt 

 that the only safe course to pursue, when the 



