33 



Ids a pest that we have lamented so long, but one that up to date 

 tie attempt has been made to eradicate. 



In hope of your effective cooperation, I remain. 



Very respectfully yours, 



(S.) Emilio D. Cassi. 

 ilvario, Havana." 



In order to carry out the task entrusted to me, I solicited 

 »m the Director General of Agriculture on June 29 the author- 

 ition necessary to go to the nearest localities where Sr. Cassi 

 IS carried out some of his experiments to see the worth of 

 s treatments. The said communication was referred to the 

 resident of the Commission of Plant Sanitation, who requested 

 3 to make the following re;port. 

 _ In the request that Sr. Cassi sent to the Department as well 

 in the documents that later were obtained there appears no 

 planation of the technique employed nor of the chemical subs- 

 nee, as for instamce of the proportions. Altogether the writer 

 .s only been able to appreciate the efficacy of the treatment by 

 ; results and never by the scientific explanation of the chemical 

 bstanees, nor of the organisms (fungi, bacteria, and vines) 

 at were used by Sr. Cassi to destroy the Marabu. 



In the different places in which were carried out the ex- 

 riments are still foumd many plants in complete vigor; more 

 er we must take into consideration the certificate of Sr. Juan 

 ■Roig, Chief of the Department of Botany of the Estacion 

 jronomica as follows : I hereby certify that Sr. Emilio D. Cassi 

 r some time has occupied himself with great interest in the 

 idy of some means of destroying the injurious .plant called 

 arabu, having tried various means for its extermination, which 

 I to the present bave not given all the results hoped for; but 

 lich indicate the interest the said gentleman has taken in this 

 :air. Moreover, I am informed that the said iSr. Cassi is continu- 

 y his investigations aimed at present at finding some natural 

 emy of the said plant, such as other plants more vigorous or 

 ngi or other diseases that will destroy it; a task that to my 

 nd in progressing well and merits the official aid of the Depart- 

 snt of Agriculture. And at the petition of the interested party, 

 ?ive the present certificate. Santiago de las Vegas, March 6, 

 16. CS.) Juan T. Boig. 



In adition a letter signed by Sr. Salvador Hermandez in Ca- 

 igiiey (June 10, 1914) in Vhieh he certifies to having used a 

 uid in the proportion of one bottle to 20 of water, and after 

 tting the plants the liquid was applied and no subsequent 

 [■outing took place. This proceeding is said to be employed to 



