DISEASES OF CACAO 101 



its gaining admission. It causes the production of bunches 

 of swollen twigs or chupons, resembling a broom, to appear 

 on the stems, and the pod is rendered quite hard and useless 

 before it reaches maturity. It has caused heavy loss 

 wherever it has appeared and is one of those fungi against 

 which plant protection laws should be directed in full force. 

 It is reported that a species of Colletotrichum resembling 

 luxificum has recently been found in Trinidad. 



No. 9. " Yellow Canker." Calonectria flavida. Massee. 

 — This is a wound fungus generally appearing in conjunction 

 with Nectria theobromce and N. Bainii. It was found by 

 Howard in Grenada. Stockdale records that " Nectria 

 theobromce and Calonectria flavida may occur together in 

 the same area while at other times they may occur alone." 

 It is not at present credited with a large amount of damage, 

 but it is sure to be found in places where the vitality of 

 the cacao-trees is at low ebb. Inoculation experiments 

 conducted by Howard are recorded as showing that both 

 Nectria theobromce and Calonectria flavida are parasitic 

 in character. Treatment therefore should follow on the 

 lines laid down under Nos. 3 and 4. 



No. 10. " Branch Fungus." Stilbospora cacao, Massee. 

 — This fungus was found on the young growth of a cacao- 

 tree on an estate in the Caparo Valley. It is not specially 

 prominent and has been little studied. It appears, 

 however, to attack and destroy the points of the small 

 branches. Where seen the same measures should be 

 adopted as for Nos. 3 and 4. 



No. 11. " Shot Fungus." Bosellinia Hartii, Massee. 

 — This fungus was found in Trinidad (Diego Martin district) 

 by Agricultural Instructor H. A. Nurse, in 1906. It has 

 been little studied, but the genus is so well known for its 

 destructive character that control measures should be 

 vigorously adopted wherever it is found. 



No. 12. " Banyan Fungus." Eutypa erumpens, Massee {?). 

 — ^The name " Banyan Fungus " arose from the fact of 

 its being first discovered destroying a large tree of Ficus 

 indica in front of the Queen's Park Hotel, in Trinidad. 



