Diseases 261 



portion on the trunk, while the foliage portions 

 of the leaves have fallen to the ground. 



Both bud-rot and root disease seem to be 

 aggravated by marshy, undrained lands, one 

 reason given to prove this being that it was 

 noticed in centres badly attacked, the trees never 

 died on a hillside. Root disease seems likely 

 to spread, owing to the mycelium apparently 

 being capable of spreading through the soil 

 from root to root. Its ability to do so depends 

 a good deal upon the cultivation. Any con- 

 dition of the soil that is unfavourable to the 

 palm may favour root disease by hindering 

 free root development. Excessive moisture 

 and excessive drought, for instance, may favour 

 the conditions of the disease. 1 The latter 

 drought can be remedied by irrigation, the 

 former excess of moisture by careful atten- 

 tion to drainage, and to the mechanical con- 

 dition of the soil. 



Unfortunately we cannot go into details, as 

 to the remedies, but must refer our readers 

 to Mr. Stockdale's, Mr. Rorer's, and other 

 expert reports. For root disease, so far as we 

 know at present, it seems probable that only 

 the most drastic measures are likely to provide 

 permanent relief ; and even then it is feared 

 that the disease, if a bad " break-out " occurs, 

 can only be held in check rather than absolutely 

 exterminated. But if held in check that will 



1 We are quoting Mr. Stockdale's excellent report 

 again or basing our remarks on what he says. 



