and Magazine of the Ceylon Agricultural Society, 



181 



BUD-ROT OF COCONUT TREES IN 

 JAMAICA. 



In further reference to the diseased coconut 

 trees on this property, some of which wore 

 treated by Mr Cradwick, you will remember. (I ) 

 by trenching 3ft. by 2ft. bins. (2) by spraying 

 with Bordeaux Mixture. (3) by dressing with 

 Iron Sulphate. 



You may know that I am now of opinion that 

 in one or two trees there is a decided increase in 

 the number of coconuts holding on the bunches, 

 and a stoppage of the dropping of large, 

 blighted nuts. I am not yet satisfied, howover ) 

 that this is caused by the spraying, but as 

 the general improvement of the field is so 

 great since the breaking ot the drought, it 

 is hard to say with certainty whether the 

 result has been achieved by the spraying. 

 The trenching I cannot yet see has made 

 any difference. Some time ago I wrote very 

 hopefully of the result of my burning trees that 

 were sick. I am sorry to report now that most 

 of those trees that had apparently recovered and 

 thrown out entirely clean, new leaves, have gone 

 back again. Mr Cradwick was good enough to 

 visit the field again not long ago and we agreed 

 that I should go through carefully and regularly 

 and burn, to check the spread of the disease. 1 

 propose to keep open the trenches, and when 

 Mr Cradwick is able to return, we hope to try a 

 more detailed and larger experiment with the 

 spraying. I may say that trees sprayed on a 

 neighbouring estate are reported as holding the 

 coconuts remarkably better, 1 may also tell 

 you that I heard lately that Mr B C Orgill says 

 that some 30 years ago, when he owned a place 

 near here, the same coconut disease was ramp- 

 ant, and only by constant, regular burning 

 did he stamp it out ; even then, it returned 

 after ten years had elapsed. It (burning) 

 would therefore appear to be a preven. 

 tiveand not a cure. I do not, in spite of 

 all the learned opinion to that effect, believe 

 it is a question only of drainage, as trees die 

 in such different soils and position in the same 

 walk. I trust you will keep this matter 

 moving and before the Instructors, and if you 

 could get some scientist to examine the trees 

 for bacteria on the spot, it might tend to useful 

 results ; it certainly would be a most serious 

 calamity, especially to this otherwise resource- 

 less district, if the coconut industry were to 

 fail us. 



Priestman'a River. Ljbo. A. Waihs. 



[We are glad to say that the Society's In- 

 structors are also on the look-out for traces 

 of bud-rot on the coconut trees in their dis- 

 tricts, and they have hitherto, according to 

 orthodox, been advising the spraying of Bor- 

 deaux mixturo for this trouble, as used else- 

 where, where the disease is more prevalent 

 than here. Burning the tops, is a kill or 

 cure method, but it has been shown to be 

 effective for many years past, and if carefully 

 done, tho proportion of " kills " should bo 

 small. We understand that the Instructor 

 for St. Mary aud Portland, Mr Cradwick, will be 

 able to devote close and continuous attention to 

 this disease during the next three years. In next 

 month's Journal we shall publish some further 

 information and experiences in this connection. 

 1&T>.] Jamaica Agricultural Society, for June. 



BORDEAUX MIXTURE. 



Bordeaux mixture may be prepared by dis- 

 solving six pounds of copper sulphate (blue 

 stone) in 25 gallons of water. If the powdered 

 copper sulphate is used, it may be dissolved in an 

 hour or so by suspending it in a feed sack just 

 under the surface of the water. In another 

 vessel, slake four or five pounds of lime in a 

 small quantity of water. When slaked, dilute to 

 25 gallons and strain through coarse sacking into 

 a 50-gallon barrel to remove all the matter that 

 might clog the nozzle of the spraying machine. 

 Pour the copper sulphate solution into the lime 

 solution, stirring the mixture vigorously during 

 the process and for two or three minutes after- 

 ward. Uso the mixture at once. An excess of 

 copper sulphate in the Bordeaux mixture is inju- 

 rious and asa test to ascertain whether the sol- 

 ution contains the right proportion of copper 

 sulphate and lime, a brightly polished piece of 

 iron, for instance a clean knife blade, should be 

 inserted in the mixture for one or two minutes. 

 If the amount of lime is insufficient, the surface 

 becomes coated with copper and more lime 

 should be added until no copper is deposited on 

 the iron.— P. J. Westbk, Subtropical Labora- 

 tory, Miami, Fla. March 30, 1907.— Palm Beach 

 Weekly Nctos. 



JAVA TEA. 



Wo see, from our last year's Directory, it 

 was fully expected that Java would export 40 

 million lb. of tea by 1910. If Mr. H. Tomlinson's 

 expectation be correct this figure is to be attai- 

 ned during the presont year : wo shall see. Java 

 planters should press their countrymen in Hol- 

 land and West Germany to drink more tea. 



