6o2 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[March r, iSgS. 
Planters’ Association at its next meeting in January, 
I do not think that I could officially move. Mean- 
time I am disposed to suggest that you might keep 
me informed, by perhaps sending me a copy of your 
letter to Government, and any reply received thereto, 
for the information and guidance of the Committee 
in deciding whether the Planters’ Association can, 
and if so in what way, best assist in the furtherance 
of your views. — I am. Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) A. Philip, Secretary. 
Wariapolla, Matale, Dec. 16th, 1897. 
The Secy., Planters’ Association of Ceylon, Kandy. 
Dbab Sir, — Referring to your letter of the 15th 
instant, I enclose copy of ray letter to Government 
asking Government to pay half the cost of Mr. Car- 
ruthers’ investigation of the cacao disease. I will also 
keep you fully informed of all that goes on, sending 
you a copy of any and all letters in connection with 
this subject. — I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
(Signed) L. B. H. Dickenson. 
P.S. — I had an interview with the Hon. Mr. J. N. 
Campbell, in Kandy on the 14th instant, and he pro- 
mised to press the matter upon the attention of Go- 
Ternment. 
Wariapola, Matale, Dec. 16th, 1897. 
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Colombo. 
Sir,— Referring to my previous correspondence on 
the subject of securing the services of a cryptogamist 
from England for the purpose of investigating the 
disease affecting the cacao in Ceylon, and to the Hon 
Mr. North Christie’s communication with His Excel- 
lency the Governor on the subject, in March last I have 
the honour to inform you that as it appeared to be a 
matter of the first importance that the cryptogamist 
should commence his investigations before the heavy 
rains of October, November and December are over, 
when the disease of the cacao is most virulent the 
proprietors of Wariapola and Suduganga met in 
London and decided to arrange with Mr. J. B. Car- 
ruthers, F.L.S., to proceed to Ceylon by ss. “ Hima- 
laya” which arrived in Colombo, on the 11th instant. 
It may be mentioned that Mr. Carrutliers has the 
highest recommendation from Mr. George Murray, 
P.R.S. etc. Keeper of Botany, British Museum (Na- 
tural History) as a Cryptogamist, who is competent to 
investigate such a disease as we have in cacao and 
that Mr, Carrutliers has also been lately employed by 
the Royal Agricultural Society of England, to investi- 
gate the disease in Larch and also the disease af- 
fecting Elm trees. 
The terms on which Mr. Carrutliers, agreed to 
visit Ceylon, are that he should receive a first-class 
return passage and £200 in cash for six months and 
that should his services be required longer than six 
months, he is to receive £30 per mensem for each 
month beyond the six months. For the reasons pre- 
viously mentioned the proprietors of Wariapola and 
Suduganga, viz Messrs. Fraser, Hutton and myself, 
have guaranteed the payment of the sums mentioned 
hoping that after Mr. Carruthers had arrived in the 
Island, His Excellency the Governor, might perhaps 
appoint Mr. Carruthers as Cryptogamist in pay of 
the Government or failing that, that perhaps His Ex- 
cellency the Governor might be willing to pay half 
the cost and that the other half might be contributed 
by the owners of cacao estates. A.s since my arrival 
in the Island I have learned that the Secretary of 
State has voted the appointment of a Cryptogamist 
by the Ceylon Government, I write to ask whether 
His Excellency the Governor would be willing for 
the Ceylon Government to contribute half the cost, 
(say one hundred and fifty pounds for the first six 
months, and £15 for any extension necessary) of Mr. 
Carruthers’ visit to Ceylon, the other half to be con- 
tributed by the owners of cacao estates. I don’t think 
that I need urge the importance of the cacao industry 
to Ceylon, both to natives and Europeans alike, both 
as an adjunct to tea and as an easy cultivation and 
natives in the lower districts of the island nor the 
seriousness of the disease. All are well known to his 
Excellency. When not affected by the disease, cacao 
thrives as vigoi'ously as ever and with market pros- 
pects so much improved and with every prospect 
of better prices, it seem.s a thousand pities for so 
valuable an industry to be ruined by a disease, 
which for various reasons unnecessary to mention, 
appears to be capable of successful treatment at 
the hands of a Scientist, who seems so capable for 
his work. 
I am, sir, yours obedient servant, 
(Signed) L. B. H. Dickenson. 
Colonial Secretary’s Office, 
Colombo, 18th January, 1898. 
I Bln directed by the Governor to enclose 
herein for the information of the Planters’ Association, 
a copy of a despatch received from the Secretary of 
State and to state that should Mr. Carruthers’ enquiry 
prove to be useful and beneficial. His Excellency will 
be prepared to propose to the Secretary of State, that 
Government should pay half the expenses connected 
with his deputation. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) H. White, for Colonial Secretary. 
The Secretary to the Planters’ Association of 
Ceylon. 
Copy of Despatch Deferred to Ceylon, No. 370. 
Downing Street, 26th November, 1897. 
S-r, — I have the honor to inform you that since I 
wrote my despatch No. 352 of the 10th instant, I 
have been given to understand that persons interested 
in cacao planting, are sending out to Ceylon, by 
today's mail, Mr. J. B. Carruthers to investigate the 
cacao disease. 
It was fully explained to Mr. Carruthers, when he 
called at this Office, that his employment being 
purely unofficial will not give him any claim to the 
Government appointment of Scientific Assistant in 
the Botanical Department should that post be created, 
although of course if he desires to apply for the 
appointment, his name would be considered with 
those of other candidates.— I have &c., 
(Signed) J. Chamberlain. 
Governor, the Bight Honourable Sir J. West 
Ridgeway, k. c. b., k. c. s. i., Ac., Ac., Ac. 
Ollier subscriptions received since were ; — 
Finlay, Muir A Co. 
Sir T. J. Lipton .. 
Major Pain 
E. G. Simpson 
C. M. Henry . . . . 
F. Tatham, on account of Tea Corpora 
tion. Ltd. 
Ratwatte Cocoa Co. 
Pallakelle Co. .. 
J. R. Martin for three estates, Yatewatt' 
Hilton and another 
£. 
2.5 
15 
10 
10 
10 
5 
7 
15 
30 
R. 
Mr. Beechcroft .. .. ..100 
•• •• •• .’.100 
The Chairman reiucarked that, in moving the 
adoption of the Report, lie lia(i only briefly to say 
that Mr- Carruthers came out under an arrange- 
ment with Mr. Dickenson of Wariapola, and'’ if 
they succeeded in obtaining the guarantee which 
they were endeavouring to obtain, any arran<'-e- 
ment by Mr. Carruthers with Mr. Dickenson 
would pass to the Planters’ Association. He 
then moved the adoption of the Report adding 
that that meant that circulars would be sent to 
all cacao planters and superintendents they could 
discover, 
The report was adopted. 
This concluded the business of the meeting and 
Chairman proposed by 
j\lr. W. L). Oibbon terminated the proceedings 
