170 
Another point dwelt upon is that the diseased canes, directly they 
show themselves, should be cut out in the fields and burnt. This pre- 
caution would prevent the spread of the disease during the season of 
growth, and allow the healthy canes to fully mature before they are cut. 
Lastly, - it has been recommended that after the canes are cut and the 
crop is over, the stubble and refuse left on the fields should be burnt. 
This would tend to cleanse and purify the land by destroying the 
spores, and afford hope for more immunity from disease for the next 
year's cro 
These, briefly stated, are the general measures which, if steadily and 
carefully pursued, must gradually stamp out the disease in all the islands, 
It will be noticed that they require no special appliances or material ; 
they ean be carried out by each planter without miuus expense 
and with no technical skill or knowledge ne eid beyond what is 
possessed by every sugar planter in the West Indi 
So far, however, although the mischief effected y disease is already 
serious, the action taken loc cally has not been at all commensurate with 
the gravity of the situation. "Valuable time has been lost and the 
s all the more noticeable to find that in the Island of St. Vincent 
definite action has at last been taken, and a committee appointed to 
inquire into the disease of sugar canes in the island has presented a 
xeport which it is hoped will stimulate action in the other islands, A 
copy of the St. Vincent Report has been communicated to Kew by the 
Secretary of State for the Colonies. It embodies the views of ex- 
perienced planters on the spot and it appears to be drawn up with 
excellent judgment and foresight. the recommendations of this 
Report could be vigorously carried out on all the sugar estates in 
St. Vincent the results in a few years would not fail to be most beneficial. 
In order to give as much prominence as possible to the recommendations 
contained in it the Report is Fidem 
Report of LÉ COMMITTEE appointed to Inquire = bes Diseno of 
e Sugar-canes in the Island of St. Vin 
The committee appointed at a meeting held at the i Planters* 
Club” on the 13th instant met on the 21st and 28th instant, and 
fall. discussion and careful consideration passed the following 
E 3 That i in the case of pieces or cane-fields not to be ratooned, 
(a.) All stools should be stumped out and then the pieces within 
fourteen days be burnt; (5.) Immediately mime the burning all 
unburnt or partially burnt stools, canes bush, rubbish or 
other vegetable matter should be most dis dd collected, placed 
in heaps, and burnt to ashes, 
(2.) That in the case of pieces to be ratooned, 
(a.) The pieces should without exception be thoroughly burnt off 
within 14 days at the utmost after cutting; (6.) Immediately 
after the burning all tibiis: or partially burnt — = bush, 
rubbish, or other ve egetable matter should be mo carefully 
collected, placed in heaps, and burnt ; nent (c.) Afer the stools 
wos sprouted and subsequent to measures (a.) and (b.) ape 
nes showing the slightest weakness or indieation of dise 
be without fail cut out from the base of the sprouts and bera. 
