130 



Office that a further disease, which may be distinguished as " Root- 

 disease," existed in the West Indies ; that it was identical with one 

 which existed in Java, where it had been ascertained to be due to a 

 fungus to which the name of Colletotrichum had been given. The opinion 

 was expressed that " if perfectly healthy and uninfected canes were 

 only used for " propagation," the disease would not be found to give 

 much trouble." As will be seen from what follows there is positive 

 evidence that at any rate at St. Vincent this precaution is neglected. 



3. The specimens of diseased canes obtained by Mr. Bovell in St. 

 Vincent, and referred to in Colonel Sandwith's despatch of May last, 

 have reached Kew, and have been carefully examined. I enclose a 

 copy of the report of the member of our staff to whom I entrusted their 

 examination. 



It is evident from these specimens that canes infected with rind 

 fungus are used for propagation. It further appears that when this was 

 the case the resulting plants are attacked by root-disease. This fact 

 points to the conclusion that the root-disease and the rind-disease are 

 really due to one and the same organism, and that the Colletotrichum 

 is only another phase of the polymorphic Trichosphceria. This was, 

 indeed, suggested by Mr. C. A. Barber, the Superintendent of Agricul- 

 ture in the Leeward Islands, in a private letter, December 1, 1893, as 

 the result of his observations made by permission of the Secretary of 

 State in Barbados. But the evidence was not deemed at the time con- 

 clusive. The possible identity of the two diseases is still a matter 

 under investigation at Kew. But assuming, as seems probable, that 

 it is well founded it obviously very much simplifies the problem. 



4. The remaining contents of the papers call for little remark as far 

 as Kew is concerned. I may, however, be permitted to say that it 

 seems to me a matter for regret that they exhibit a greater inclination 

 to discuss the situation than to take prompt action. I see nothing to 

 modify in the demi-official letter of March 19 last, which, at his re- 

 quest, I addressed to the Governor of Barbados. 



5. With regard to compensation, I may point out that I had in view 

 the circumstances of Barbados, which is, I understand, virtually de- 

 pendent on sugar cultivation. My suggestion was not intended to 

 apply to other colonies where that condition does not obtain. 



6. I am not prepared to use any further arguments than those I have 

 already adduced on the absolute necessity of destroying diseased canes 

 by burning. If the sugar-planters will not wage war in the only 

 effective way on the enemies of the sugar-cane, they can only have 

 themselves to blame, for the consequences. Mr. Barber urges against 

 burning in Autigua that ''the whole atmosphere is saturated with the 

 spores." Even if true, this is no argument against attempting to cut 

 off the supply. No pestilence would ever be checked if mankind simply 

 folded its hands in resignation. It is quite evident that in Antigua at 

 any rate no intelligent pains are taken to combat the enemies of the 

 sugar-cane. It is quite certain that the moth-borer can be checked by 

 persistent effort. And as to the shot-borer, I may quote the opinion of 

 Prof. Riley, the well-known entomologist of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, who, writing to the Trinidad Committee, said : — 

 " You are perfectly correct in tracing the increase of the shot-borer to 



the discontinuance of the burning of the bagasse (as we call it in this 



