68 



The importance of clearly recognising the actual fact can hardly be 

 overrated. It is obvious that if the disease has existed comparatively 

 unnoticed inthe West Indies for 40 years it is unlikely to suddenly 

 assume the dimensions of a scourge. If, on the other hand, it is a 

 comparatively recent introduction, the possibilities of the mischief it 

 may effect have still to be measured. 



I have, etc., 

 W. T. Thiselton Dyer. 



Edward Wingfield, Esq., C B., 

 Colonial Office. 



Copy. 



Royal Gardens, Kew, March 19th, 1894. 



Sir, 



With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the 

 sugar cane disease in Barbados, I have the honour to inform you that 

 I have carefully discussed the situation with the Governor of the 

 Colony, and at his request have furnished him with the letter, of 

 which I enclose a copy, which he will lay before his Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



* * * # 



No doubt the Secretary of State is fully informed as to the actual 

 position. Nevertheless he will probably be glad to have the enclosed 

 documents submitted to his consideration. 



I am, etc., 



W. T. Thistelton Dyer. 



Edward Wingfield, Esq., B.C.L., C.B., 

 Colonial Office. 



Copy. Royal Gardens, Kew, 19th March, 1894. 



My Dear Sir James, 

 I willingly assent to your request to put in writing my views as to 

 the danger which appears to me to menace the Sugar industry in Bar- 

 bados. 



2. I do not wish to be an alarmist. But in a matter of this kind it 

 is better to take a gloomy view than a too sanguine one. The former 

 may at least lead to the adoption of timely precautions, the latter 

 may lull the planters into a false sense of security till it is too late to 

 apply any effectual remedy. 



3. There are now two definite diseases due to fungi amongst the 

 Sugar Canes in Barbados, and probably elsewhere in the West Indies. 

 One affects the stems (Trichosphaeria), the other the roots (Colletotri- 

 chum). The former is the more serious probably. It is fortunately 

 easily recognized, and no effort should be in my opinion spared to 

 stamp it out or at any rate keep it under control. 



4. An opinion has been expressed that it has existed for a long time 

 in the New World. If this were the fact it might be argued that there 

 is no great cause for alarm, as it is improbable that it would suddenly 

 assume an unwonted activity. I believe however that the opinion is 

 based on a mistake. All the evidence points to the fact that both di- 

 seases have been introduced comparatively recently into the West In- 

 dies from the sugar-growing countries of the Old World, 



