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Affecting coconut palms. 
| Affecting vanilla. 
SEYCHELLES. 
The Governor appointed a Committee, on which both officials and planters were represented, to 
consider the Secretary of State’s despatch, and forwarded the Committee s report and, subsequently, 
some further observations by the Committee. 
The Committee stated that no sources of mechanical power existed in the Colony. 
In regard to agriculture the Committee drew special attention to the need for the investigation 
of the pests and diseases affecting the coconut palm and vanilla., of which the cultivation consti¬ 
tuted the principal local industries. Lor this purpose they considered that two scientific assistants 
should be appointed, one with a knowledge of applied mycology and agricultural chemistry and the 
other with a knowledge of applied entomology. The Committee regarded the appointment of a 
mycologist as of primary importance. 1 he Committee also recommended the erection of inycological 
and entomological laboratories; the formation of an experimental plot with a complete set of spraying 
pumps, flame throwers, etc., and a supply of various insecticides ; and the building of a conservatory 
for the culture of vanilla under cover, which was regarded as essential for the study of the various 
diseases attacking the plant. 
The Curator of the Botanical Gardens added the following list of pests and diseases requiring 
investigation:— 
1. Leaf bitten disease. 
2. Bud rot disease. 
3. Stem bleeding disease. 
4. Root diseases. 
5. Black beetle disease. 
Melitomrna disease. 
Scale insect disease. 
Calospora. fungus disease. 
9. Root toxins. 
10. Fungus diseases affecting rubber. 
11. „ „ „ breadfruit. 
12. „ „ „ bananas. , 
18. Nematode worms affecting ground crops. 
The Curator remarked that the production of vanilla about twenty years ago averaged more than 
fifty tons yearly, but is now reduced to less than ten tons, mainly through diseases, and that the 
coconut crop is gradually declining, the average crop per tree being only twelve nuts per annum 
The Curator throught that successful preventive measures against diseases might ultimately result 
in a gain of Rs. 400,000 annually on the value of the vanilla crop, and Rs. 1,000,000 on the coconut 
As regards geology and minerals, the Committee stated that phosphate had been worked, that 
laterite had been found, and that there was a possibility that good bauxite might occur, lluy 
recommended that a mineralogical survey of the principal islands should be undertaken. 
As regards marine industries, the Committee thought there were great possibilities of the exten¬ 
sion of fishing industries and that it was desirable to consider the question of re-starting the whaling 
industry, which was abandoned at the beginning of the war. 
Note . — The Colonial Research Committee do not see their way at present to provide for a 
mineralogical survey. The other action taken by the Committee in regard to the Colony is stated m 
the body of the report. 
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 
The Governor reported that, after consulting his advisers, he was of opinion that there was little 
scone for the development of research in the Straits Settlements. . „ . ... 
The only research Department confined to the Colony is that of the Botanical Gardens, and its 
activities will be utilised and extended as far as possible. , r 
The Government Analyst gives a considerable amount of advice and assistance to the public on 
various industrial questions, either directly or remotely connected with chemistry and mineralogy, 
but the Governor does not think it feasible to convert this Department into one of research. 
The Agricultural and Forests Departments of the Malay Peninsula are mainly concerned with the 
Federated Malay States and are dealt with under that heading. 
1„ the Colony there are few industries of any great external importance, and for many years to 
come the main object of any industrial research there will be to provide for the Colony s own internal 
needs. At the present moment there are projects on foot for the encouragement of brickmakmg, 
cement manufacture and glass making, in all of which industries the demand is urgent, but the supp y 
is either lacking or entirely insufficient. 
There are also the large industries of rubber planting, rubber manufacture, coconut oil manufac¬ 
ture and pineapple canning, which are of Imperial importance, lor these, the scheme of roseate i 
now contemplated in conjunction with the Rubber Growers’ Association will doubtless be of great 
ZstrctandX Governor is sure that the Colony will be glad to join with the Federated Malay 
States in the enterprise. _ , , ,, 
in addition it is possible that the manufacture of gambler, citronella and castor oil, and the 
r-iwth 'of fibres’might be fostered, but the Governor considers that without a guaranteed price it 111 
be difficult to induce planters to invest much capital m such industries. 
The present supply of fish is not more than sufficient for local demands. 1 here arc plenty 
sponges to be found, but the quality is poor. . , , j • 
The Colony has been fairly thoroughly prospected for minerals, but it should be included 
geological survey of the whole peninsula. 
