2(> 



THE CUBA REVIEW. 



treatment being strictly under ban, permit 

 me to summarize my ideas as to conditions 

 and treatment. 



Tile coconut budrot disease is a com- 

 municable bacterial disease, appearing pri- 

 marily sometimes in the central leaves and 

 which only in the very beginning can be 

 successfully amputated, but but more com- 

 monly appearing at the base of the leaves 

 and spikes, as is shown by the falling of 

 the nuts. Progress of the disease in this 

 condition is very slow, and it is possible 

 that by cutting off the lower leaves and 

 spikes, and leaving only the healthy swords 

 and middle leaves the tree will thus be freed 

 from disease and may develop its leaves and 

 flower spikes without trouble. So much for 

 treatment of diseased trees. I would also 

 recommend treatment as to the spread of 

 the disease. It is probable that the disease 

 is naturally carried by insects which pass 

 from tree to tree. The use of some insecti- 

 cide as Paris green or lead arsenate will 

 serve to reduce or drive out the insects 

 and thus prevent its distribution. Also the 

 placing of narrow bands of cloth soaked with 

 coal-tar around the tree will prevent the 

 ascent of ants and other insects which are 



commonly found in the crown of the tree, 

 and which possibly aid in the distribution 

 of the disease. 



It is unnecessary for me to go into fur- 

 ther detail as to the disease or methods of 

 treatment. If the planters will take pains 

 to acquaint themselves with the early 

 signs of the 'disease, and will remove the 

 affected portion and wash the cut place with 

 a disinfectant, and then take precautions to 

 reduce the number of insects among the 

 trees, I am confident that coconut growing 

 may still be maintained as a profitable busi- 

 ness. The only assistance that the planters 

 will need is not direct aid from the gov- 

 ernment, but laws and inspection service 

 to enforce their neighbors to keep their 

 groves in as good a condition as they do. 

 This department is, as it always has been, 

 glad to furnish information in 'detail as to 

 methods that it is believed will lead to 

 success. 



Trusting that my suggestions may be 

 of some service, I am 



Respectfully yours, 



JOHN R. JOHNSTON, 



Scientific Assistant. 



CUBAN FRUIT PRICES. 



Early Fruit May do Best. 



Sept. 25. Cuban Oranges. — The few lots 

 of Cuban oranges (new crop) on this mar- 

 ket sold early in the week at from $1.70 

 to $2.45 per box. The fruit was only fair 

 in color. 



^'orto Ricans were indififerently packed. 

 The highest price was $1.55 to $1.65 for 

 2(X)s. A leading dealer said : "All the east- 

 ern crops, Cuba, Porto Rico, and Floridas 

 are large and early, and buyers are looking 

 for low prices. By the end of October 

 we shall have an abundant supply of all 

 kinds of oranges and a lower market than 

 last season." 



Early shipments are urged, though well- 

 colored fruit will find the best price. 



Cuban pineapples, 24' s, $4.75 to $5; 

 30's, $4; 36's, $2 to $2.50. 



Florida pineapples, 24's, $5 to $5.50; 

 36's, $2.25 to $2.75. 



October 9 again saw large prices for 

 Cuban grape-fruit, the quotations rang- 

 ing between $4 and $9.25 per box, very 

 much in excess of quotations for grape- 

 fruit from other sources. 



Record Prices for Grape Fruit. 



September 25 saw record prices for 

 Cuban grape-fruit in the New York 

 markets. The prices reached for the 

 Cuban stock were $5 to $10.87^ per 

 box. A few 54's brought $9.50 to $9.87>4 

 per box. The Florida grape-fruit sold 

 at $3.62^ to $7.75 per box. 



"These are the highest prices on Cu- 

 ban grape-fruit of which the/re is a 

 record," said the Fruitman's Guide. 

 "The fact that the stock was not in 

 fine color is a circumstance on which 

 some comment has been made in the 

 trade. There were only a few lots in 

 the offering, and there was an active 

 competition from the hotel suppliers and 

 fancy fruit trade." 



October 2 the following prices gov- 

 erned: 



Sweet oranges of Cuba, is on one branch; 

 weight, 10 lbs. 4 oz. Grown at Bahia Honda, 

 North Coast, Pinar del Rio Province. 



