[251 



:cas3s that the ants commence tlnir activity from the broken ends of 

 "branches, working their way right down the cantre of the trunk. 



Remedies. 



It is fortunate that notwithstanding all this, the trees are regarded 

 as suffering very Jittle in their fruit-producing capacity, so that up to 

 the present, the necessity for any remedy has not been felt. Tnere is 

 no doubt, however, but that if all the wood and bark remained unin- 

 jured, the tress would live much longer, probably grow larger, and have 

 a better yield. It is useless to suppose that trees largely hollow 

 throughout, with only a portion of the bark and wood remaining for 

 support and passage of nutrition from the soil, can yield the same 

 amount as those in perfect condition. 



Considering the great importance to which the orange industry seems 

 likely to attain in Jamaica, it is very desirable that our planters should 

 endeavour to bring about a diff jrent condition of affairs, and be able to 

 obtain the utmost value from the trees. Up to the present, one reason 

 has been that the orange cultivation has yielded practically no returns ; 

 now, however, when there appears to be the prospect of establishing a 

 permanent trade with the United States and perhaps with Grreat Britain, 

 it will no doubt be well worth the trouble of planters to keep the trees 

 in good condition. 



Much can certainly be done by taking proper care of the trees, which 

 • are indeed possessed of wonderful vitality. Ants or borers are not to 

 be greatly feared if the trees get any care at all, but they have not got 

 this up to the present. 



Whenever the wood of a tree becomes exposed either by decortication 

 or by the breaking off of some branch, the wound should be covered 

 with some substance to prevent ants and other wood-destroyers effecting 

 an entrance. A coating of tar is generally employed for this purpose, but 

 diluted carbolic acid has also been found to be an excellent repellant. 



This latter has also proved itself, in experiments conducted for the 

 Institute by Mr. A. Townend, to be of use in ridding a tree of ants 

 once they have established themselves. Jeyes' Disinfectant is used 

 with success by some ; while the addition of a little arsenic to the nest 

 of the white ants is often used as a means of destruction of the whole 

 colony. 



For the destruction of the boring larva of the beetle, the trunk of 

 the trees should be coated with a thick lime- wash to which arsenic has 

 been added in proportion of one part of the arsenic to one hundred 

 parts of the limewash. Wood ashes or some of the alkalies may with ad- 

 vantage be added to the limewash. 



At present there is danger of Orange Trees in Jamaica becoming' 

 .affected by the various species of scale insects, which in Florida and 

 , elsewhere have caused such serious damage. It is to endeavour to 

 prevent this being brought about through the introduction of plauts 

 already suffering from the disease, that the Grovernor has issued the 

 . Proclamation prohibiting, except under certain conditions, the intro- 

 duction of orange plants into the Island. Both the Botanical Depart- 

 ment and the Museum have however received from planters in Jamaica 

 specimens of orange trees, and also of the fruit, already attacked by 

 .scale insects, and are now engaged in investigating these. 



