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REPORT ON THE COCO-NUT DISEASE AT MONTEGO BAY. 



Botanical Department, Gordon Town P. 0. 



24th July, 1891. 



Sir, 



I have the honour to report that I have visited Montego Bay to examine into the deat h on a large 

 scale of Coco-nut Palms in that neighbourhood. 



The first intimation I received on the subject was an extract from the Report of Mr. J. W. 

 Gruber, Collector of Taxes, forwarded to me by you. At a later date the Doctors McCatty favoured 

 me with some observations that the}' had made. 



I passed through the extensive plantation of Mr. Levy on the east of Montego Bay, and had the 

 opportunity of hearing his remarks on the commencement and progress of the disease. 



The Rev F. H. Sharpe, Rector of Montego Bay, showed me the devastation that had taken place 

 among the Coco-nut Palms in the church-yard in the town. 



I discussed the subject with the Doctors McCatty, Messrs. Gruber, Geo. Robertson, Rerrie, Facey 

 and others. 



Mr. Doul, the Manager of Catherine Hall Estate on the west of the town, afforded me every 

 assistance at the Coco-nut plantation on the Estate. Dr. Sinclair was also most kind and helpful. 



Several trees were cut down and the roots, stem, leaves, and cabbage examined. There was no 

 evidence whatever of attacks by a beetle, there were some small larvae, some wood lice, earwigs, ants of 

 several species and other insects on the affected parts, but they were evidently only preying on the 

 diseased juices, and were not the cause of the disease. 



The roots were quite sound and the stem appeared to be unaffected Both stem and leaves 

 were of normal size, and there was no indication of a gradual dwindling of vitality due to lack of 

 proper nourishment extending over a long period. The disease, whatever it might be, seemed to be 

 quick in destruction. 



The youngest parts were those affected. The leaves and flowers in the bud were sometimes 

 able, though affected, to withstand the disease so far as to open out, and some leayes and nuts attained 

 ahnosi; their full development before the tree succumbed. In the case of tall trees, the first indication 

 of the disease was the dropping of the young fruit. It was stated that the disease in this condition 

 had been checked by setting fire to the fibrous material at the base uf the leaves, which process burnt 

 all the leaves ; new fronds, however, developed, and the tree was at any rate for the time saved. The 

 application of salt to the cabbage had also, it was alleged, been successful. 



If the terminal bud in the cabbage is affected, the tree is doomed. 

 . In almost all the trees examined, the sour smell of a putrefactive fermentation was very notice- 

 able, and I am of the opinion that the disease is due to an organised ferment which is able to attack 

 the very tender tissues of the youngest parts, even outside the terminal bud. If this ferment can 

 be destroyed by fire or other means before it reaches the terminal bud in the heart of the cabbage the 

 tree may be saved. 



Any remedy should therefore be applied on the very first signs of disease. If delayed too long 

 until the terminal bud is diseased, the tree cannot be saved. 



Although to fire the fibre at the base of the leaves is easy of application, it is not safe near 

 buildings, and by the destruction of the leaves, the production of fruit is for a long time retarded with 

 consequent loss. 



I would recommend that those who do not care to apply fire should drench the cabbage with a 

 solution of sulphate of iron in water in the proportion of two pounds of sulphate to one gallon of water. 

 A solution of sulphate of copper might also be tried in the proportion of 5 parts to 100 of water, and 

 a solution of boracic acid in the proportion of 4 parts to 100 of water. 



All diseased trees which cannot be saved, should be cut down and burnt, to prevent infection. 



In order to give the tree every chance of recovery the soil might be scraped away from the 

 roots and the ashes of the burnt trees applied together with some manure. 



It may be said that these remedial experiments are costly, but on the other hand the annual value 

 of each tree is stated to be at least four shillings. 



I have, &c, 



(Signed) W. Fawcett, 

 Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. 



The Honble. the Colonial Secretary. 



COCOA : SAMPLES FROM LONDON MARKET. 



The following correspondence transmitted by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Jamaioa 

 Government on the subject of Cocoa has reference to samples received from Messrs. Wilson, Smithell 

 & Co., through the kind offices of Kew. The samples have been placed in the Museum of the Jamaica 

 Institute for ready inspection by those interested. 



Royal Gardens, Kew, to Colonial Office. 

 Sir, Royal Gardens, Kew, 1st July, 1891. 



I am desired by Mr. Thiselton Dyer to inform you that he has received from Mr. VV. Fawcett, 

 Director of the Botanical Department, Jamaica, an application for samples of commercial Cacao as it is 

 usually received in the London market, for the purpose of bringing before planters in Jamaica the 

 appearance and qnality of Cacao which receives the highest prices. 



