March i, 1898.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
the expression of his desire to grant assistance, 
and for the interest he has shown in the matter 
from its inception, 
Kandy, Jan. 1898. 
Sir, — I am directed to inform yon that the well- 
known Cryptogamist (Mr. J. B. Carruthers, f.l.s.,) 
has been invited to Ceylon to investigate the cacao 
disease, and is now engaged m microscopic work on 
Wariapolla estate. This microscopic work is a neces- 
sary preliminary to gaining a full knowledge of the 
cause of the disease, and may occupy the cryptogamist 
some two or three months. When this work has been 
completed Mr. Carruthers will be in a position to make 
further investigation as to the means to be adopted for 
curing or preventing the disease. 
Government have given a conditional promise, that 
ttiey will defray half the cost. 
The terms made with Mr. Carruthers are, that he 
should receive a first-class return passage costing say 
flOO sterling, and 11200 sterling in cash for six months, 
and that should his services be required longer than 
six months, he is to receive £30 sterling per mensem 
for each month beyond the six months. 
Should the investigation occcupy twelve months, 
the total amount required will be R7,200, and this 
amount, it is proposed to collect by means of a guaran- 
tee fund, the amount actually payable by the guaran- 
tors, to be in proportion to the amount of their guaran- 
tee. The following sums have already been guaranteed, 
but if the full amount be subscribed it is expected that 
not more than half of the guarantee will be called up. 
All information will be made public, and Mr. Car- 
ruthers will be prepared to visit estates belonging to 
subscribers, when his microscopic work is completed. 
— I am, sir, yours faithfully, A. Philip, 
Secretary to the Planters’ Association of Ceylon. 
AMOUNT EEFEHEED TO. £. Stg. 
Eastern Produce and Estates Co. 25 ., 
Anglo Ceylon and Genl. Est. Co. 25 ,, 
Wariapolla Estate 25 ,, 
Suduganga „ 15 ,, 
90. 
61-62, Gracechurch Street, London, E.C., 26th 
Nov., 1897. 
A. Philip, Esq., Secretary, Planters’ Association, 
Kandy, Ceylon. 
Dear Sir, — I enclose for the information of your 
Committee, copy of correspondence in reference to 
the proposed appointment of a cryptogamist to 
investigate the cause of the disease under which the 
cacao trees have been suffering in Ceylon. 
I may add that the Government having failed to 
do anything in the matter, Mr. L. B. H. Dickenson, 
who has been taken great interest therein, has 
accepted the responsibility of himself employing 
Mr. J. B. Carruthers, a gentleman most strongly 
recommended by Mr. G. Murray, the Keeper of 
Botany, at the British Museum (natural history). 
Messrs. Dickenson and Carruthers leave London 
this evening to meet ss. “ Himalaya ” for Colombo, 
at Brindisi. — Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) Wm. Martin Leake, Secretary. 
Ceylon Association in London, 61-62, Gracechurch 
Street, 19th October, 1897. 
The Right Hon. the Secretary of State, for the 
Colonies. 
Sir, — The Cacao Planters of Ceylon are, as you are 
aware, anxious that the services of a qualified 
cryptogamist should be engaged to investigate on 
the spot the disease, from which the cacao trees are 
suffering, now ascertained to be fungus. 
The matter is stated by them to be pressing, as 
the next two months are the season when the fungus 
is most active. 
I am to suggest that if no instructions have yet 
been received from Ceylon for the engagement of a 
cryptogamist, a telegram should be sent asking for 
them, as no time should be lost. 
6c I 
I am to add that two qualified gentlemen, have 
expressed their willingness to undertake the mission 
—Mr. John Parker, of Trin. College, Cambridge; and 
Mr. J. B. Carruthers, son of the late head of 
the Botanical Department of the Natural History 
Museum. 
Prof. Marshall Ward can speak for the former, 
Mr. Murray of the Natural History Museum for the 
latter. — I am. Sir, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Wm,. Martin Leake, Secretary. 
Downing Street, 23rd October, 1897. 
Sir, — I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, 
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th 
instant, ure-ing that a specialist should be engaged 
to enquire into the nature of the disease which has 
attacked the cacao trees in Ceylon. 
In reply enclose for your information copy ?of a 
letter on this subject from the Director of Kew 
Gardens, and I am to inform you that in view of Mr. 
Dyer’s recommendations Mr. Chamberlain informed 
the Governor, last August that he did not propose to 
send out a specialist to the Colony. — I am, your 
obedient servant, (Signed) C. P. Lucas. 
The Secretary to the Ceylon Association. 
Cop,!/ of Letter Referred to. 
Royal Gardens, Kew, July, 31st 1897. 
Sir,— Referring to your letter on April 21st last 
(8,212/97) on the subject of a disease which has at- 
tacked the cacao plant in Ceylon, and my reply of 
April 22nd, following, I have now the honor to say 
that I have received from the Director of the Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, specimens from 
diseased trees which have been subjected to careful 
examination. 
2. I enclose a report upon these specimens which 
I think leaves little room for doubt that the disease 
is due to a fungus, the groweth of which has been 
promoted by unsuitable methods of cultivation. I 
further enclose, a memorandum by the Assistant 
Director as to the remedial measures which the circum- 
stances suggest. 
3. With this information before him, the Director 
of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, ought to 
be able to deal with the problem. I am not there- 
fore prepared to recommend that a specialist should 
be sent to Ceylon as suggested by the Governor — 
I am etc., (Signed) W. Tiselton Dvrb! 
Fred. Graham, Esq., Colonial Office, Downing Street 
Wariapola, Matale, December, 14th, 1897. 
The Secretary of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon 
Kandy. ’ 
Dear Sir,— Referring to your conversation today on 
the subject for the Cryptogamist of the cacao, I write 
to ask Whether you would consider it a good plan for 
circulars to be sent from the Planters’ Association 
to the owners of cacao estates in Ceylon, asking them 
to contribute towards the balance of the cost of 
Mtting out the Cryptogamist, which is not paid by the 
Ceylon Government, which however is not certain 
yet although it seems probable. I proposed to ask 
the Ceylon Government to contribute one half of the 
cost and the Hon. Mr. J. N. Campbell, whom I saw 
today has promised to use his influence with Govern- 
ment to secure the same object we have in view. 
It has occurred to me to suggest for your considera- 
tion that a circular from your Association to the 
different owners of cacao, asking for contributions 
would come better than an application from a private 
individual like myself, and if you are of the same 
opinion and see your away to carry it out, I should 
be very much obliged.— I am, dear Sir, yours faith- 
(Signed) L. B. H. Dickenson. 
Kandy, 15th December, 189 
L. B. H. Dickenson, Esq., Warriapola, Matale. 
Dear Sir,— I am in receipt of your letter of the 
14th instant, and in reply write to say that until 
he mattev is laid before the Committee pf the 
