n6 COCONUT CULTIVATION 



of the hollow spaces in their stems, are liable to 

 be broken off in a strong wind. It is much 

 more prevalent in wet weather than in dry. 

 Stem bleeding is caused by a fungus, Thielavi- 

 opsis paradoxa, which is responsible for a rot of 

 pine-apples and a decay of cane cuttings. Its 

 spread in plant tissues appears to be dependent 

 on the amount of sugar which they contain. 



The remedial measures consist of cutting out 

 the infected tissues and burning all chips. The 

 operation is best performed with a chisel and 

 mallet. Slanting wounds should be made, in 

 order that water may run off them. When the 

 diseased portions have been cut out, the surfaces 

 of the tissues should be carefully burned with a 

 torch to dry them, and the wound should then 

 be dressed with tar. 



As bleeding stem disease is so prevalent in 

 the West, notches for climbing the tree are 

 strictly avoided. The system in any case is not 

 a good one, and Eastern planters would do well 

 to follow the example set in exercising care over 

 the bark or stem. It should not be subjected 

 to wounds of any kind. 



Leaf Disease. Frequently leaves appear to 

 be dropping, and the tips of the leaflets remote 

 from the stem become greyish in colour. The 

 condition appears to spread gradually to those 

 nearer the stem ; when the leaflets have become 

 badly diseased this portion breaks down. An 

 examination reveals the fact that the tips and 



