Diseases 249 



probably be found sufficient to cut down such 

 leaves and burn them on the ground ; do not 

 drag them away. The broken tips of the 

 leaves are characteristic of the disease ; the 

 tips of the distal leaflets being the first to 

 show its effects, although an examination of 

 an affected leaflet shows that diseased areas 

 are scattered all over its surface. From 

 these distal leaflets, the disease appears to 

 spread gradually to those nearer the stem, and 

 often when all the leaflets on the terminal (2 ft. 

 to 3 ft. of the leaf) have been attacked, and 

 appear in a dry, withered condition, this portion 

 of the leaf breaks down ; it rarely falls to the 

 ground, but remains hanging to the healthier 

 portion, and this, according to Stockdale, is 

 very characteristic of the disease. For these 

 reasons it would be advisable to search 

 throughout the estate at frequent intervals for 

 any tree showing the characteristic broken tips 

 of the leaves with the pustules on them, and 

 such trees should be clearly marked and 

 watched, so that any leaves showing signs 

 of the disease can be removed and burnt. 

 Continued attention must be given until the 

 planter feels certain no trouble has been left 

 behind to spread. The trees so affected should, 

 after the leaves have been removed and burnt, 

 be carefully attended to and manured, whilst the 

 soil around should, at the same time, be tilled in 

 order to invigorate the palms and so encourage 

 them to throw off the attacks of the fungus. 



