124 



is a matter so obvious that it would hardly seem necessary to mention ' 

 it. There is, however, sufficient evidence to show that, following the 

 routine practice of a bygone age. cane-tops for planting are too often 

 taken from weak and worn-out canes, and even from those which are 

 actually diseased. When this is done disease in the cane-fields is 

 inevitable. Not only so, but the disease every year takes stronger 

 hold of the cane-fields, until at last the cultivation threatens to become 

 unproductive. 



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 crop. 



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 sjDecial appliances or 

 material; they can be carried out by each planter without considerable 

 expense, and with no technical skill or knowledge necessary beyond 

 what is possessed by every sugar planter in the West Indies. 



So far, however, although the mischief effected by disease is already 

 serious, the action taken locally has not been at all commensurate with 

 the gravity of the situation. Valuable time has been lost, and the 

 position has been steadily getting worse instead of better. 



It is all the more noticeable to find that in the island of St. Yin- 

 cent 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 

 Report 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 expe- 

 rienced planters on the spot, and it appears to be drawn up with ex- 

 cellent judgment and foresight. If the recommendations of this Re- 

 port could be vigorously carried out on all the sugar cane estates in 

 St. Vincent, the results in a few years would not fail to be most bene- 

 ficial. In order to give as much prominence as possible to the recom- 

 mendations contained in it, the Report is reproduced. 



Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the Disease of the Su- 

 gar Cane in the Island of St. Vincent. 

 1. The Committee appointed at a meeting held at the " Planters' 

 Club" on the 13th inst., met on the 21st and 28th instant, and after 

 full discussion and careful consideration, passed the following resolu- 

 tions : — 



(1) That 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, (b) Immediately after the burning 

 all unburnt or partially burnt stools, canes, tops, bush, rub- 

 bish, or other vegetable matter should be most carefully col- 

 lected, placed in heaps, and burnt to ashes. 



