SUPERINTENDENT, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, TRINIDAD, 
TO ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
Botanical gio e Trinida 
SIR December 17, "808, 
FORWARD you by this mail a set of specimens of a disease 
affecting growing cacao pods, which is said in some distriets to 
cause a loss of as much as 50 per cent. of the crop. 
The question has been up some cmm and I have had several 
sets of specimens for examination. Up to December 8, however, 
I had never been able to reproduce the Ta in healthy pods 
by inoculation 
n receipt of diseased pods from Mr. T. H. Warner, Warden 
of Tacarigua, a Government officer of high standing, I commenced 
a microscopic examination and found a fungus s permetti the 
decay, and in two instances the lower part of the pod. Placed in 
a damp chamber, the whole pod rapidly became covered with the 
fungus, and in an ordinary atmosphere the same took place less 
rapidly. 
4. With a view of ae en whether = fungus was parasitic 
or ogee eet I made roscopic examination and procured 
spores, which I placed in a et slit in the skin of healthy pods. 
spores on all sides of the pods. One hundred per cent. of arti- 
i wem pods rotted a 
5. I send some portions preserved in formalin solution, an 
parts dried and some fresh-packed in dry charcoal. If m 
specimens are required = shall be glad to take instructions as pH 
preparation for the journ 
6. It appears to me that it would be well to suggest uM applica- 
tion of * Bordeaux Mixture," and the picking and burning of all 
infected pods, dressings to take place after the collection of the 
rotten pods. 
7. The disease appears to me to be essentially an outside disease, 
and obtains entrance through wounds or punctures from any cause. 
It may be possible that insect-punctures would enable the spores 
_ to gain access to the pods. It is certain that a cut or incision will. 
Yours faithfully, 
The Direc (Signed) J, H. HART. 
Ba Gardens; Kew. 
ee ROYAL BOTANIC EBEN. TRINIDAD, 
O ROYAL GARDENS, KEW 
Botanical Department, eg 
SIR, = ry 5, 1899. 
H regard to cacao pod 
deme collected since last in m as us submit pi) 
sited the infected estate, and found the disease rampant 
2 pan 
l shells hal bee and damp places, especially where heaps of broken 
lls been ee to rot upon the pun On the ridges 
