February i, 1892.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST 
be enougli for an acre, as the proprietors of the 
patent appear to think, the cost per Hquave yard for 
the chemical will be a mere tritlt*. 
Since those proceedings were drafted, a small 
quantity uf the cliemical (a little over one pound) 
has been received from Melbourne with (5. O., dated 
2i)th October IKUO, No. 8-ir». This will bo tried at 
Saidapot under the supervision of Mr. Keess and Sub- 
Assistant Director Mr. Subl)a How at a strength of 
1 lb. in ♦> Lnvilous of wuter applied to hO square yards 
whicli is the rate which has actually ))een found t<) bo 
elTcftive in Australia. Accordinji to the proprietors 
the same solution would seem to bo sutHvicnt for 
about twelve times the area. ^J’lus will also be 
tested l)y actual experiinents as far as possible with 
solutions of the cliemical varying in strength from j 
1 lb. in n gallons to 1 lb. in ‘20 gallons. The latter : 
strength was found to be sufficient for killing young 
prickly -pear at Trichinopoly. 
•1. One iniporcaut point w’hich should bo carefully 
borne in mind in making these experiments is that 
a solution of the “Scrulj Exterminator/' if allowed to 
come in contact with tlie skin, causes sonic abrasion, 
and if allowed to como in contact with the finger 
nails causes much pain, and that cattle are apt to 
he poisoned if they eat scrub or gx*ass saturated witli 
it. Tlie proprietors state that stoclc should not bo 
allowed access to the ground operated upon for about 
a week. 
UlCHOHT OX THK OOCOXL'T DISKASK 
AT .AlOXTKOO HAY. 
Jlotanical Department, Gordon Town 1*. ()., 
‘21th duly, 
Sir, — I have the honour to report tliat X have 
visited Montego Hay to examine into the death 
on a large scale of Coconut l*alnis in that 
neiglibourhood. 
Several trees were cut down, and tli© roots, stem, 
leaves, and cabbage examined, 'hiiere was no 
evidence whatever of attacks by a beetle, tliere 
were some small larvte, some wood lice, earwigs, 
ants of several 8j)eries and other insects on the 
affected parts, but tliey wore evidently only preying 
on the diseased juices, and wore not tho cause of tlm 
disease. 
T’lie roots wore quite sound and the stem appeared 
to be unali’ected. Jioth stem end loaves were of 
normal size, and tliere was no indication of a 
gradual dwindling of vitality duo to lack of proper 
nourishment extending over a long period. The 
disease, whatever it niiglit bo. seemed to bo 
quick in destruction. 
The youngest parts were tliose atTocted. The 
leaves and flowers in the bud wore sometimeH 
uble, though affected, to withstand the disease so 
far as to open out, and some leaves and nuts 
>Utaiued almost tlieir full developjneiit befoi*e the 
tree succumbed. In the case of tall trees, the 
first indication of the disease was tho dropping of 
the young fruit. It was stated that tlie disease iu this 
condition had lieen checked by setting fire to tho 
fibrous material at the base of the loaves, which 
process burnt all the leaves; new fronds, however, 
developed, and the tree was at any rate for the 
tune saved. The a})plication of salt to the cabbage 
had also, it was alleged, been successful. 
If the terminal hud in the cabbages is affected, 
Xhe tree is doomed. 
In almost all the trees examined, tho sour smell 
putrefactive fermo'.tation was very noticeable, 
jwul 1 am of the opinion that the disease is due 
an organised ferment which is able to attack tho 
'■cry tender tis.suos of the youngest parts, even out- 
ride the terminal Imd If tliis ferment can be de- 
Htroyed by tire or other Jiicans before it reaches the 
terminal bud in the heart of the cabbage the tree 
may l,e saved. 
Any remedy should therefore be applied oil the 
very fii-rtt yigurt of disease. If de’aycd too long until 
terimnai bud is diseased, the tree cannot bo 
Although to fire the fibre at the l>ase of tlie leaves 
is easy of application, it is not sjife 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 tliat tliose who do not care 
to apply fire should drench tlie cabbage with a 
Holirioii of sulpliate of iron in water in tlie projKn*- 
tioii of two pounds of sulphate to one gndloii of 
water. A solution of sulphate of copper miglit also 
l)c tried iu tlie proportion of 5 parts to H)0of water 
and a solution of horacic acid in tho proportion of 
‘1 jiarts to lUO of water. 
All diseased trees which cannot he saved, should 
be cut down and burnt, to prevent infection. 
In order to give the ti’ee every clianco of recovery 
tho .soil might be scraped away from tho roots and 
the ashes of the burnt trees applied together with 
some manure. 
It may be said that these remedial experiments are 
costly, hut on the other hand the annual value of 
each tree ia stated to he at least four shillings. — I 
have, lYc,, (Signed) W. Fawi ktt, Director of Public 
Gardens and Plantations. 
The ILon'ble the Colonial Secretary. 
COCOA: SAMPLES KKOM LONDON MAKKKT. 
The following correspondence transmitted by the 
Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Jamaica 
Government on the subject of Cocoa has reference 
to samples received from Messrs. Wilson, Smithett 
it Co., through the kind offices of Kew. The samples 
have been placed in the Muhouiu of the Jamaica 
Institute for ready inspection by those interested. 
Hoiial itardtUH, AVic, to Holontal Office. 
Uoyal Gardens, Kew, Ist July, 181)1. 
Sir,— 1 am desired hy Mr. Thiselton Dyer to inform 
^u tliat he has received from Mr. W. Fawcett, 
Director of tho Hotanical Department, Jamaica, an 
application for samples of commercial (!acao as it 
is uHiially received in Hie London market, for the 
purpose of bringing before planters in Jamaica the 
ap|)oarence and ouality of Cacao which receives tlie 
highest prices. 
2. In furtherance of Mr. Fawcett's wishes applica- 
tion was made hy this Establishment to a firm of 
brokep-H in the City and the enclosed report, with a 
set of samples, has been received from Messrs. 
\\ ilson, bnuthett tV Co. The samples are being 
forwarfed direct to tlio addreaa of tlio Director of tlie 
Jdotanical Depariiieut, Jiviiiaica, by tlie outgoing mail. 
3. The I’acao iiiduHtry in Jamaica has steadily 
extended of lato years. Tho quantity of Cacao ex- 
ported has iscroased fourfold, lint the value per 
cwt. has been almost stationary. In fact it has 
become a inattor for seiions consideration to the 
Government of Jamaica how it may be possible 
to rescue an otiiorwise promising industry from 
being crippled by the carolessuoas of the sinall 
proprietors, (who at prosent grow the hulk of 
Jamaica Cacao) iu exporting an inferior article. 
4. In an address given at tlie request of Sir 
Henry ISiake at tho late Jamaica Kxiiiliition on 
Fehriiary il, I drew particular attention to tliis 
subject and pointed out that owing to bad curing 
Jamaica Cacao was at the bottom of tho list of 
Cacao in the Jjondon market, and tlie Island 
lost yearly on this account about r20,(K)0 to 
Acting on my suggestion then given, tlie 
Government has lately taken steps to send in- 
telligent inatructor.s round the Cacao growing 
districts to explain carefully to the Kettlers the way 
the Cocao should l>e cured, and the Legislative Council 
has voted a sum of I’fioO for this pursoso. The result of 
this experiment will bo watched with some interest 
6. As confirming the information placed before 
tho Government of Jamaica it will be noticed that 
Messrs. Wilson, Hmithett ct Co. report that the 
bulk of Jamaica Cacao “is of very ormnary quality” 
the only West Indian Cacao taking rank below it, 
being 8t. Domingo from Jeromie, “ whilst tliat from 
Somapa in tho same Lsland is superior to Jamaica. 
