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CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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ALBERT K. MANN LIBRARY
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CORNELL UNIVERSITY

BULLETIN Ne 1

APRIL, 1917
' SBBNGLISH EDITION) |

REPUBLICA DE CUBA
s ono 7

SECRETARIA DE AGRICULTURA, COMERCIO Y TRABAJO

DIRECCION DE AGRICULTURA
; ee oe

COMISION DE. SANIDAD VEGEEAL ”
r my ee —_ ea Fa ae a:

te #

THE COMMISSION. OF

PLANT SANITATION
AND ITS wo RK

oe

HABANA ;

_ IMP, P, FERNANDEZ Y CA.

Cornell University

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The original of this book is in
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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924089512721

BULLETIN No 1
(ENGLISH EDITION)

APRIL, 1917

REPUBLICA DE CUBA

SECRETARIA DE AGRICULTURA, COMERCIO Y TRABAJO

DIRECOION DE AGRICULTURA

COMISION DE SANIDAD VEGETAL

THE COMMISSION OF

PLANT SANITATION

AND ITS WORK

ALBEST R. MANN
spo LIBRARY
. AT
CORNELL UNIVERSITY

HABANA

IMP, P. FERNANDEZ Y¥ CA.
17, OBISPO 17
1917

COMISION DE SANIDAD VEGETAL

John R, Johnston, PRESIDENT.

Pathologist of Estacion Experimental Agronomica.

Dr. Mario Sanchez Roig, SECRETARY.

Professor - Historia Natural - Granja Agricola, Habana.

Patricio Candin Pefiarredonda, MBMBER.

Entomologist Estacion Experimental Agronemiea.

INSPECTORS:

Rodolfo Arango
Guantanamo,

Daniel Nicles
Baracoa.

DEPUTY INSPECTOR

Jaime Puncet Gonzalvo

CONTENTS

Introduction. ,

Formation of the Commission.

Quarantine against plants entering Cuba.
Law of June 16, 1906, quarantine against citrus from Mexico.
Decree No. 1133, against citrus plants from all countries.
Decree against the Black Fly.
Decree against the banana disease.

Foreign quarantine against plants from Cuba.

Local quarantine and inspection regulations.
Regulations for the control of the Black Fly.
Decree concerning the disease of the coconut.
Regulations for the control of the banana disease.
Nursery certificates.
Regulations for the sale and distribution of plants.
Rules regarding mail matter.

Miscellaneous work of the Commission.
Administration.
Citrus canker.
The Black Fly in Cuba.
Report on the Marabu
An insect pest of sugar cane.
Insect plague in Parana,
Certificates of Inspection for Exported Plants.
Technical work of the Commission.
List of insects and diseases of Cnba,

Special work of the Commission in pfoblems of control.
The Black Fly and its Cefftrol.
The Budrot of the €econut and its Control.
The Banana Dfsease and its Control.

Summary.

LIST OF PLATES

she OPPOSITE PAGE
1,— Pineapple attacked by the Black Weevil in Jamaiea........ 14
2.— Specimen poster distributed throughout infested districts.... 18
3. —+ Citrus canker in Florida ............ ccc ecceeeeeeeaeee eevee O4
4.— The Marabu (Dichrostachys nutans) showing the dense
TOWED oa co ocaaisialea wysiee Qe niall, wae aeiary e eenam areata aah ess 82
5.—— Moneephora bicineta, The insect enlarged in the center, and
matural size in the Corner...... 2... cs cece eee cece ee eee 38
6.— The frog-spittle formed at the base of the sugar cane by the
insect Moneephora bicincta ...........eec cee ee eee fete aes 40
7.—A good bunch of the grass parana dried by the insect Monec-
phora bicincta .............0. gaa Rien ead y nas tues yae see 40
8.— A lot of the parana grass free from the insect Monecphora
PDUGATIC EA: Seecistgicnt fe pbiensdss vonedaverare ayenseestlw dane’ eyane seuadery @-aeabelicea iarives, § 42
9, — Fields of the parana grass destroyed by the insect Moneephora
IGANG EAs. ne weed hen erase il AG toe Ba ee Gabe ae ete yak, Beem - 42

10,— Rake to trap insects that damage the pastures. Side view... 44

1],— Rake to trap insects that damage the pastures. Front view... 44

12.— Copy of a drawing of one of the rakes that is used in the
United States to trap insects that damage the pastures... 44

13. — Branch of an orange tree showing adult Black Flies ........ 70
14.— Branch of an orange tree showing eggs and larvae of the

Bl aC By ss crascn x ica etawtgd =, $0 SHAS SN WOR wane Reus Brees Ra See 72
15.— Orange tree showing the damage doe to the Black Fly. The -

plant withers and dries up ...... 6... cece cece e cence eens 72
16. — Spraying the trees for the Black Fly in Guantanamo........ 74
17.— Spraying the trees for the Black Fly in Guantanamo........ 76
18.— Inspectors and squad of laborers preparing the emulsion for

EMG TCE TG ooo ess ba sactat snc. cosepar stein Se cue bie Unni e308 Span dnt oe 16
19.—+Sketch of the region of Guantanamo showing the places ins-

pected and where the Black-Fly was found .............. 76
20, — Province of Oriente, showing zones infested by Black Fly and

inspected for coconut disease ........---e esse eee eee eens 76
21. — Province of Havana, showing zones infested by Black Fly and

inspected for the banana disease .............. fe sale ieee ast 76
22. — Members of the Commission inspecting the work on the Black

Fly in Vedado ......... cece cece ee eee eee rete tenet eneee 1. 78
23.— An example of one of the many gardens in Vedado which

have been sprayed for the Black Fly ..........-..---05- 78

24, — Example of the gardens treated for the Black Fly in Vedado. 78
25. — Map of the City of Havana, showing Black Fly infestation. 78 .
26.— Map of the Island of Cuba, showing the location of the two :

Black Fly centers ......... secs eee e teen eee ee eees 78
27. Young coconut tree attacked by the Budrot ..............- 86
28. — Large coconut plantation destroyed by the Budrot disease... 80
29,— Banana plantation destroyed by the Panama disease....... 80
30. — Cutting down diseased banana plants ............+.0- reves 82
31,— Piling up the pieces of diseased banana plants for burning.. 82
32. — Burning the diseased banana leaves and trunks ............ 82
33. — Spreading lime over the roots after cutting away the disseas-

ed banana plant ...... cece eee eee eee e eee ee aees 82

34,— Disinfecting the implements used in a field of diseased ‘ba-
NADAS we csi eres c cece eter eee teen een e een t eee et ees 82

THE COMMISSION OF PLANT SANITATION AND ITS WORK

INTRODUCTION

One of the most important steps for the protection of the
agricultural interests of this Island was taken by the President
of Cuba when he signed the decree, July 3, 1916, creating the
Commission of Plant Sanitation.

For many years Cuba, like many other countries, has suffer-
ed tremendous losses in some of the crops owing to diseases and
insects, and new pests have carelessly been introduced, while
still more are active in adjacent countries and are liable to be
introduced if the greatest care is not taken to prevent them.

For thirty or forty years the Budrot of the Coconut has
swept over the Island until the growing of coconuts on a large
scale is confined almost entirely to a small section of the Island
about Baracoa in the Province of Oriente, and the total exporta-
tion of the nuts has been reduced from over 20,000,000 to
4,000,000. For at least ten years the banana disease has spread
through Havana and other provinces wiping out the plantations
of the manzano and of the Johnson varieties. Unless precautions
are taken this disease will reach the important banana district
of Oriente and there cause the same damage. Recently there has
been discovered existing in the Island the Mosca Prieta which
appears to have been here only a few years. The greatest amount
of this insect is found in Guantanamo and as the Island of Ja-
maica is the nearest place having the pest it is supposed to have
been introduced from there. 'The Mosca Prieta is reported to
kill trees in the Bahama Islands and in the district of Guan-
tanamo has already seriously injured many by causing the

8

yellowing, curling and subsequent falling of the leaves. This pest
threatens to injure not alone the citrus plants but also many
other kinds of fruit trees. In addition to these pests there are
insects and diseases in Florida on the north, in Jamaica on the
south, in Mexico on the west, and in many other places: insects
and pests which do not yet exist in Cuba, which should be
prevented entrance by every possible means.

Remedies for the Budrot of the coconut and the. banana
disease have been sought in vain for many years by investigators
of many countries. Careful researches have revealed the cause
and nature of these diseases, and moreover have revealed the
fact that neither of these diseases can be cured by direct treat-
ment. Both of these diseases can, however, be avoided to a great
extent by the destruction of diseased material.

Without question the. two most important problems in the
control of insect pests and plant diseases in our country is the
destruction of the existing insects and diseased plants, and the
prevention of new importations of insects and diseases. The des-
truction of diseased material and of insects can be accomplished
by any one, but it is necessary for the Government as a whole
to educate the people individually in these methods of control.
It is necessary for the Government to see that the people attend
to this matter in the case of highly infectious diseases like the
Budrot of the coconut and the banana disease, and in some cases
to aid in this work itself. The matter of preventing the ship-
ment of diseased or infested plants from one part of the Island
to another, or from a foreign country into Cuba, will have to be
carried out largely by the Government,

(or: these reasons, and to attend to these problems, the
President of Cuba at the request of the Secretary of Agriculture
by decree created the Commission of Plant Sanitation.

‘FORMATION OF THE COMMISSION.

DECREE 838.

WHEREAS in different parts of the Republic there have appeared
diseases of plants, mostly imported from other countries, the existence
of these having been demonstrated in the Province of Oriente as
affecting the orange groves and the coconut plantations, and in the
Provinces of Havana and Pinar del Rio the banana plantations, etc.

IN CONSIDERATION of the fact that it is indispensable, in preventing
the spread of these diseases to all the national territory with serious
damage to our agriculture and provoking quarantine in those countries
with which we have constant commerce, to take all measures to combat
these plagues and avoid diseases that might be imported.

9

IN CONSIDERATION of the fact that article 243 of the Organic Act
of the Executive Power in defining the faculties that correspond to
the Secretary of Agriculture, Comerce and Labor, says: “he has in
charge anything relating to the study and extirpation of the diseases
that affect animals and plants”. i

In use of the faculties that pertain to me, and at the proposal of
the Secretary of Agriculture, Comerce and Labor,

RESOLVED:

First.— To create in the Department of Agriculture, Comerce
and Labor, a commission that will be called Commission of Plant
Sanitation, pertaining to the Office of Agriculture, composed of three
members that will be J. R. Johnston, Pathologist of the Agricultural
Experiment Station, as President; Patricio Cardin, chief of the De-
partment of Entomology of said Experiment Station; and Mario San-
chez, Professor of the Agricultural School of Havana, in order that
the following may be carried out:

A. — Study the diseases and insects that are present or that may
be present in the plants in whatever part of the National territory.

B.— According to the studies made, to take, with the approval of
the Secretary of Agriculture, without other requirement, the profilac-
tie measures that may be considered necessary in order to combat the
diseases, using the resources that will be mentioned further on.

C.— For the organization and direction of the work relative to
the measure refered to in the paragraph preceding, letter B, the Com-
mission may send any of its members to any place it is considered
necessary, for which purpose the President of the said Commission
will issue the necessary transportation requests, a book of which will
he facilitated by the Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor,
and during the time that they remain away from the Office on official
business, they will receive a per diem of five dollars, which will
be paid by the Secretary from the funds placed at his disposal in a
succeeding paragraph.

D.— The President of this Commission or other member in his
absence may order the removal of the machinery and other materials,
to whatever place is necessary in order to combat the diseases that
may appear in any plantation.

‘—-In the same way, the Commission, the member who un-
dertakes the work of disinfection of any crop, or any of the inspectors
which have been appointed by the Commission for this. purpose with
the proper instructions, may proceed to employ laobrers to clean or
destroy infected plants, and also contract whatever other service is
considered necessary, (first consulting and obtaining the approbation
of the Secretary, which should be done in the most rapid manner,)
whose wages or expenses will be paid from the funds designated for
this purpose, to which end the Paymaster of the Department of
Agriculture is especially authorized to facilitate the amount agreed
upon, the expenditure of which will be accounted for by whoever
receives it in, at most, sixty days, counting from the day of its
receipt.

P. — When the case of infection is of such gravity that only by
the destruction of the crop can the plague be exterminated, the Com-
mission will submit the case to the Secretary of Agriculture, Com-
merce and Labor, who will take such measures as he considers ne-

10

cessary, both in accord with the owner of the plants and with the
necessities of the case. -

G.— This Commission will meet as often as it may be necessary,
and report to the Secretary of Agriculture at least every fifteen days,
as to the progress of the work, and study in its meetings, under the
auspices of the President of the Commission, the problems of greatest
importance.

H.— When there is necessity for laboratory work, or any work
related to that which is conducted at the Agricultural Experimental
Station, the Commissioners may request permission from the Director
of said establishment, who will grant it.

Secondly. — The Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor
is authorized to impose fines that do not exceed fifty dollars on those
owners of plantings who do not fulfill the instructions that are given
by the Commission to avoid the spread of diseases and insects in the
fields where they have appeared, for which purpose there will be
conceded the time that is considered necessary. _ ;

Thirdly. — For the expense that may be necessary for the pur-

chase of apparatus and other material, as well as in the pay of wages,
per diems, salaries of inspectors that are appointed for this service,
the Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor will appropriate
$10,000 from the funds that are credited in the current budget to
“Imprevistos”, which sum may be requested by the Paymaster from
said Department in the form designated by the Secretary, all at once
if that is agreed upon, and it will be credited by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
_. Fourthly. — In accord with the statements in the last paragraph
of Article 394 of the Organic Law of the Executive Power, it is
authorized to name three inspectors, to whom may be assigned the
monthly salary of $150, and, when necessary, a per diem of $5, to
aid the Commission of Plant Sanitation, which by this decree is
named, who will put themselves at the immediate order of said Com-
mission, without conflicting with the superior authority of the Se-
eretary of the Department; the term of employment.of these inspectors
will last through the fiscal year, if necessary.

Fifth. — The Commission named will submit to the Secretary of
Agriculture proposals concerning the quarantine regulations that
should be made against the importation of plants and the means that
ought to be employed in those cases in which they may be admitted.

Sixth. — Said Commission is also authorized to issue certificates
for plants destined for exportation.

__. Seventh. — The Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor
will see that this Decree is fulfilled.

Written in the Presidential Palace of “Durafiona”, Marianao,

July 3, 1916.
(Signed) M. G. MENOCAL,

: President.
(Signed) Emitio NUNez,

Secretary of Agriculture, Comerce and Labor.

To carry out the work of the Commission three inspectors
were appointed, one for the sole purpose of undertaking the con-
trol of the Mosca Prieta at Guantanamo, one to undertake the
sanitation of the coconut groves, and one to work on the banana
disease. It was decided that as long as the work on the Mosca

Datatea wran than winnd sonnet aoaa

11

The Inspector located at Guantanamo, the center of the
Mosca Prieta infestation has employed one or more assistants
and up to ten laborers in the work of inspecting the district to
locate places infested and to spray the infested trees. Records
of all the towns, all the farms and all the houses in the towns
are being made, and a duplicate record of these places sent to
the office in Havana. Inasmuch as one spraying of the tree is
not sufficient, records are also kept of all the places sprayed, with
the date of the spraying.

‘The inspector located temporarily at Baracoa is recording
all the farms where diseased coconut trees exist, copies of these
records being sent to Havana. The farmers are advised as to the
best means of destroying the disease, and copies of the decrees
respecting the disease and the edicts are distributed among the
growers.

The inspector in charge of controlling the banana disease
has for the most part made his headquarters in Artemisa. This
town is near the center of the industry of the manzano banana.
All farms are visited and cases of infection recorded, and the
owner counseled as to the best means of destroying the disease.
Unfortunately the Mosca Prieta appeared in Havana in De-
cember so this inspector had to be ordered to drop the banana
work to aid in controlling the insect. Since then an inspector,
several deputy inspectors, and ten to fifteen laborers have been
employed in Havana and vicinity on this work.

All inspectors and deputy inspectors of the Comission are
furnished with cards of identification to facilitate their work,
and all the laborers have insignia of the Commission.

QUARANTINE AGAINST PLANTS ENTERING CUBA.

In addition to developing the work of the various inspectors
in their districts as designated, the Commission has further had
to plan for strengthening the quarantine against the introduction
of new pests from foreign countries. In order to give a complete
idea of the regulation governing the introduction of plants from
foreign countries into Cuba, the decrees promulgated before the
creation of the Comission will be mentioned as well as those made
since that time.

12

LAW OF JUNE 16, 1906,
QUARANTINE AGAINST CITRUS FROM MEXICO.

This law was passed as a precaution against the introduc-
tion of the Mexican orange maggot or Morelos Fruit Worm
(Anastrepha ludens) which attacks citrus plants and in addition
guava, mango, sapodilla, peach and plum. ‘The law is as follows:

Article 1. From the date of the publication of this law in the
Official Gazette of the Republic, it is absolutely. prohibited to import
citrus plants from Mexico. ’

Article 2. All citrus plants introduced through the Custom
House of the Republic proceeding from foreign countries, will be sub-
mitted to rigorous disinfection that will guarantee the death or
destruction of all the parasites or germs that might’be on them.

TOMAS ESTRADA PALMA,
President.

DECREE No, 1133,
AGAINST CITRUS PLANTS FROM ALL COUNTRIES.

Im 1914, it appeared that a disease of citrus plants called
citrus canker had been introduced into the state of Florida and
was causing serious damage to the citrus plants, and that this
same disease had ‘been introduced into all the states bordering
the Gulf of Mexico, and that it ocurred in Japan and the
Philippines, hence the preceeding law was enlarged as follows:

First: That while the Customhouses are being fitted up with
the necessary apparatus for the fumigation of citrus plants as was
ordered by the law of June 16, of 1906, it is prohibited to import citrus
plants from any other country as well as from Mexico.

Second: The Secretary of the Hacienda will see to it that this
decree is carried out.

Third: The Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor will
see that the Comision de Fitopatologia fulfils and observes all the
regulations concerning the introduction of foreign plants, and that

adequate means are adopted to avoid the spread of any epidemic
among the plants.

Nov. 28, 1914.

(Signed) M. G. MENOCAL,
President.

13

DECREE
AGAINST THE BLACK FLY (ALEUROCANTHUS WOGLUMI).

_ On the recommendation of the Commission of Plant Sanita-
tion the following decree was issued:

WHEREAS: There has appeared in the municipality of Guanta-
namo, Province of Oriente, a new insect pest, called “Black Fly”
(Aleurocanthus woglumi), which attacks citrus, guava, mango, coffee,
zapote, granado, false grape, star-apple, and mammey apple, extending
rapidly and occasioning serious damage to the plants attacked; .

IN CONSIDERATION: of the fact that it is the duty of this Depart-
ment to avoid the propagation of anything injurious to agriculture in
general, and in use of the faculties that pertain to this Office,

RESOLVED:

1. That every proprietor or tenant of land infested with the
“Black Fly” will be obliged to notify the Secretary of Agriculture,
Comerce and Labor of such condition in the quickest way possible
and employ the remedies recommended by this Department for the
destruction of the insect.

2. Under no pretext whatever can there be removed from an
infested farm any plant or part of plant of the group of citrus trees,
or any guava, mango, coffee, zapote, granado, false grape, star-apple,
or mammey-apple or any other plant infested by the Black Fly.

8. The importation of these plants from India, the Islands of
Bahama, or Jamaica is absolutely prohibited. ;

Habana, July 20, 1916.

(S.) Eminio NGNEz,
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor.

DECREE AGAINST THE BANANA DISEASE.

On the recommendation of the Commission of Plant Sanita-
tion, the Secretary of Agriculture, Comerce and Labor issued
the following decree:

Wuereas: There exists in the Republic of Cuba a disease, called
Panama Disease, injurious to banana plants.

In consideration of the fact that this disease has not yet appear-
ed in the Province of Oriente, and that it occurs in the Islands of Porto
Rico and Jamaica as well as in Panama and other countries,

RESOLVED:

1. That the importation of banana plants into Cuba is prohibited
unless they are accompanied by a certificate of their origin In which
it is stated that they come from a district free from diseases.

14

2. That no banana plant of the varieties apple and Johnson
can be taken into the Province of Oriente from another part of Cuba.
‘ 3. That every owner or renter ‘of a farm where this disease
exists must notify the Secretary of Agriculture, Comerce and Labor
in the quickest way possible-and adopt the precautions that are in-
dicated by this Department for the control and eradication of this
disease. :

4. That no person may carry plants of the mentioned varieties
from a field infested with the disease; neither may he carry away
any plants whatever with soil on the roots, nor soil in any form from
said infected field.

5. That every person breaking these regulations will be subject
to a fine. >

Havana, July 26, 1916.

(S.) Emitio NGNEz,
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor.

There are numerous other insects and diseases which should
be prevented by all possible means from entering this country.
Investigations are being made at present on the necessity for
quarantines against the following pests and diseases.

1.— The Mediterranean fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata) which attacks
and. seriously injuries fruits of the avocado, banana, oranges,
cucumbers, figs, grapefruit, green peppers, mangoes, papaya,
pineapple, caimito and others.

£.— The potato wart attacking the Irish potato in New Foundland,
Great Britain, Germany and Austria-Hungary.

8.— The avocado weevil (Heilipus lauri) occurring in Mexico and
Central America. : ;

4,— The Downey Mildews and the Physoderma disease of corn in
Japan, Philippines, India, Australia and adjacent countries.

5. — The pineapple weevil (Metamasius ritchei) of Jamaica.

6.— The banana weevil. (Cosmopolites sordidus) of Jamaica.

7.— The pink bollworm (Gelechia gossypiella) of cotton in Mexico and
others countries.

In addition to the proposal to issue absolute quarantines
against the above mentioned pests it is also planned to prohibit
the entrance of many plants unless accompanied by certificates
of inspection. By these various means the work of preventing
re cia of serious ‘diseases and pests will be much faci-
itated.

is Plate N.o 1

Pineaple attacked by the Black Weevil in Jamaica.
Photo. by A. H. Ritchie.

15

FOREIGN QUARANTINES AGAINST PLANTS
FROM CUBA.

This subject has two important phases: (1) if any country
has found it necessary to quarantine against Cuban plants, the
Commission of Plant Sanitation has for its duty to find out the
cause for such quarantine and do all that it is possible to remove
it, and (2) owing to partial or complete quarantines, certificates
of inspection are necessary to accompany plants from Cuba to
other countries, and it is the duty of the Commission of Plant
Sanitation to provide such certificates of inspection.

As regards the countries issuing absolute quarantine against
Cuba, these are few as far as records show, and as this matter
has developed farther in the United States than elsewhere it is
natural to look for the most regulations there. ;

The United States of America has no quarantine specifically
against Cuba, but they have certain absolute quarautines which
inélude Cuba with other countries, as follows:

QUARANTINE No. 8 OF THE FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD.

Prohibits the importation from any foreign locality
and country, excepting ............. , of cotton seed,
(including seed cotton) of all species and varieties and
cotton seed hulls, on account of the pink bollworm.

This insect has not been reported from Cuba although no
thorough examination of the cotton plants of the Island has been
made to prove that it does not exist here. I

QUARANTINE No. 15 OF THE FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD.

Prohibits the importation from all foreign countries
of living canes of sugar cane, or cuttings or parts
thereof, on account of certain insects and fungous di-
seases of the sugar cane occurring in such countries.

‘Cuba at present has only one serious disease of sugar cane
that does not exist in the United States, that is the root disease
due to Marasmius sacchari, but that it is so widespread and of
such a nature that it is considered impracticable for the Com-
mission of Plant Sanitation to undertake the question of its
eradication.

16

QUARANTINE No. 19 OF THE FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOAE

Prohibits the importation from all foreign countr
of all citrus nursery stock, including buds, scions, a
seeds, on account of the citrus canker and other dé
gerous citrus diseases.

Extensive investigations of the citrus diseases of Cuba ha
been made and nothing has been found that does not alrea
occur in the United States with the exception of the Mosca Prie
The Commission of Plant Sanitation has treated with the Fede
Horticultural Board to obtain the withdrawal of the quaranti
on citrus seed, but the authorities in Washington as well as thc
in -the ‘State of Florida have spent such large sums of money
attempting to eradicate citrus trouble already existing there, a
in addition to this fact, Cuba is in such close comunication wi
Florida where exist so many serious troubles of citrus, that th
have decided not to remove even the quarantine on the citr
seed from Cuba.

In addition to the above quarantines which prohibit t
shipment of the mentioned plants from Cuba to the United S
tes, it should be noted that no living plants, seeds, or other pla
products for propagation, except field, vegetable and flow
seeds, and other ‘plant products not for propagation, can be eat
ed into the United States through the mails.

The State of Florida has a few quarantine regulations 1
comprised in those of the Federal Government as follows:

RULE 14. STATE PLANT BOARD OF FLORIDA.

The importation into the State of Florida of bana
plants or bulbs and the importation of coconut tre
plants or nuts is hereby prohibited. Providing +]
this rule does not apply to the importation of cocon:
with the husks removed and not to be used :
planting. ,

This rule ofcourse applies to. Cuba where these two parti
lar diseases are causing so much damage and at present cons
tute two of the most important problems on which the Commiss'
of Plant Sanitation is working.

The Governor of the Bahama Islands has issued a regulat:
prohibiting the importation of pineapple slips from Cuba. 1
reason for this is not known to the Commission, but this mat
is now being investigated.

As regards partial quarantines or those cases in which ce

17

ficates of inspection are necessary, the following rules apply for
hose persons in the United States who wish to import nursery
tock from Cuba.

According to regulation 5 of the Service and Regulatory
\nnouncements the person wishing to import nursery stock into
he United States from Cuba must secure a permit.

According to Regulation 6, the pavkages of plants must be
nspected at the time of packing in Cuba by an official inspector,
ind a copy of the certificate attached to each package.

According to Regulation 7, each certificate must give the
late of the inspection, name of exportor or grower, district where
rrown, a statement that the stock has been inspected by a duly
iuthorized official and found or believed to be free from insect
ests and diseases. |

Quarantine regulations of other countries are not known,
yut in general it may be said that persons wishing to ship living
dlants of any kind from ‘Cuba to any foreign country should have
he plants inspected and should attach copies of the certificates
‘0 each package of plants.

‘All such certificates may ‘be obtained after inspection at the
)ffice of the Commission of Plant Sanitation.

LOCAL QUARANTINE AND INSPECTION REGULATIONS

While the work of the Commission was aimed to consist
yartly in the inspection of plants for their shipment to foreign
sountries and issuing certificates of inspection for these, undoub-
cedly the most important duty of the Commission was the control
yf existing pests and diseases in Cuba.

REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE BLACK FLY.

The first and most urgent line of work was in the control
ind eradication of the ‘‘Black Fly’’. To this end a decree was
ssued by the Secretary of Agriculture as given on page 13.

According to this decree:

Every proprietor or tenant of land infested by the “Black Fly” is
bliged to report the invasion to the Secretary of Agriculture by the

18

quickest possible means, and to employ the means suggested by this
Department for the destruction of the insect. :

Under no pretext whatever may a person remove from an infested
locality a plant or part of plant of the group citrus or any of guava,
mango, coffee, zapote, pomegranate, false grape, star-apple, mam-
mey apple, or any other plants infested by this “Black Fly”.

Edicts were prepared and printed on heavy paper, with
illustrations, as in the accompanying cut, and these were posted
in conspicuous places in various parts of the infested districts,
and copies were sent to the various periodicals for publication.

The Edict for Guantanamo is as follows:

It is absolutely prohibited to remove live plants from Guantana-
mo, Jamaica, El Palmar, Montesano, or any other place in this zone,
since with these plants the pest known as the “Black Fly” is liable to
be carried to other places, causing serious injuries to the plantations
of coffee, citrus and other plants. 3 we

It is requested that: every person acquainted with any infringe-
ment of these regulations will report it to the inspector-of Plant
Sanitation in the Municipal Building of Guantanamo.

The permits to remove plants from one place to another may be
solicited from the inspector of Plant Sanitation who will issue them
after the inspection of the plants, the permits being gratis.

Havana, July 22, 1916.

(S.) Emitio NUNEz,
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor.

After the discovery of the ‘‘Black Fly’’ in the Vedado, Ha-
vana, new edicts were prepared to read as follows:

It is absolutely prohibited to remove plants from any part of
Vedado or from the “Quinta de los Molinos” to any other part of the
Republic, until they have been examined and provided with the corres-
ponding necessary certificates issued by an Inspector of the Commis-
sion of Plant Sanitation, since with these plants may be carried the
plague known as the “Mosca Prieta” to other places, causing serious
injuries to the oranges groves, lime trees, mangos and other plants.

The permits for the removal of plants from these places to any
part of the Republic may be solicited from the Commission of Plant
Sanitation, so that when the plants have been examined they may be
supplied with the necessary certificate, which will be furnished free.

Havana, 23 Dec. 1916.

(S.) Emitio NGNEz,
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor,

To provide for removal of plants from a zone infested with
the ‘“Mosca Prieta’’ to other parts of the country, after inspec-
tion, if the plants are found to be free from this insect they are

Plate N.° 2

Secelén de on talle de Pldtam stacedo pet cf heogo ceusanle Yisls de an Piesioal serigitauke & fade por la cufcemedsd ¢. Vavews
de Wa coftrmedad dy “Panamd”.

QUEDA TERMINANTEMENTE PROHIBIDO levar matas de platanos manzano o
Johnson de campo alguno infectado por la enfermedad llamada “Panama’. tampoco llevara otra
planta cualquiera con tierra en las raices, ni tierra en ninguna forma de dicho campo infectado.

No se permite la entrada de ningyna mata de platano de las variedades manzano y Johnson
en la provincia de Oriente procedente de alguna otra parte de la Republica. S

No se permite la importacion de matas de platanos en esta Republica a no ser que. vengan
acompafiadas de un certificado de origen en a! que se hara constar su procedencia y que provie-
nen de un area libre de la enfermedad “Panatha" :

Se suplica, que toda persona conocedora de alguna infraccion de esta orden, io participe en el
acto al Sr. Inspector de Sanidad Vegetal, en la Secretaria de Agricultura, Comercio y Trabajo,

Habana.
Los permisos para trasladar plantas de un lugar a otro seran soticitados del Sr. Inspector de

Sanidad Vegetal para que una vez efectuada la Inspeccion extienda los certificados correspon-

dientes, de Sanidad, que seran ee gratis. ws
Habana, Julio 26, 1916. :
() Emilio Nufiez,

Seerctario de Agricujtura, Comerets y Trabajo,

Specimen poster distributed throughout infested districts.

19

permitted to be removed with a tag attached containing the
following certificate :

Republic of Cuba ; No......

Secretary of Agriculture Commerce and Labor

Commision of Plant Sanitation.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I hereby certify that the plants contained in the accom-
panying package have been duly inspected by me on the
day of..... 191..

And that said plants, according to the declaration (ver-
bal) of the person interested have been cultivated in the
property on street..... ~

The undersigned declares that the said plants are free
from the “Mosca Prieta” and other injurious insects and
diseases.

INSPECTOR OF THE COMMISSION
OF PLANT SANITATION.

DECREE CONCERNING THE DISEASE OF THE COCONUT.

WHEREAS: There has existed for some time in this Republic a
very serious disease named coconut budrot which attacks coconut trees
causing great losses in the plantations of coconuts.

IN CONSIDERATION of the fact that it is the duty of this Depart-
ment to avoid the spread of this disease, in use of the faculties that
pertain to this office:

RESOLVED:

1. That every proprietor or tenant of land infested by Budrot
is obliged to report it in the quickest manner possible to the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor, and to employ the methods
provided by this Department for the extermination of the said disease.

2. That any agriculturist or owner of a plantation can denounce
his neighbor who has an infested farm and in such cases the Commis-
sion of Plant Sanitation will take the necessary measures to destroy
such infestation.

One of the most important points of this decree is the au-
thority given owners of plantations to denounce neighboring
plantations affected by this disease, and authorizing the Commis-
sion to see that the plantations are freed from the disease. One of
the chief difficulties encountered in the work has been that
although many planters have been willing to clean up their own
plantations, the fact that their neighbors refused to do so allowed

20

constant infestation to pass from the diseased grove to the clean
one and rendered the work of any one farmer much more difficult
than ‘it should be, and prevented him from ever actually attain-
ing success. ;
In addition to the decree an edict was prepared as follows,
and posted in various conspicuous places in the coconut districts:

That every proprietor or tenant of land infested with the Budrot
of the coconut is obliged to report it to the Department of Agriculture,
Commerce and Labor as quickly as possible, and to employ the
methods recommended by this Department for the extermination of
the said disease.

That any agriculturist or owner of a plantation can denounce
his neighbor who has a farm infested with this disease, and in such
eases ,the Commission of. Plant Sanitation will take the necessary
measures to attend to such cases,

Havana August 3, 1916.

(S.) Emitio NGNEz,
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor.

REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE BANANA DISBASE.

This decree in one of its parts (p. 14) says:

That no banana plant of the varieties apple or Johnson can be
introduced into the Province of Oriente from any other part of the
Republic.

That every proprietor or tenant of land where this disease exists
must notify the Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor in
the quickest way possible and adopt such means of control and
eradication as are recommended.

That no person is allowed to cary plants of the said varieties from
a field infested with this disease: neither is it permitted to remove
any other plant with soil on the roots, nor soil in any form from the
said infested field. That every person breaking these regulations will
be subject to a fine. °

(EDICT)

It is absolutely prohibited to carry plants of apple or Johnson
bananas from a field infested by the Panama disease, or to carry any
other plant whatever with soil on the roots, or soil in any form from
said field.

It is not permitted to carry any banana plants of the varieties
auple ox Johnson into the Province of Oriente from any other part
of Cuba.

It is not permitted to import bananas plants into this Republic
if they do not arrive accompanied by a certificate of their origin
eich states that they come from an area free from the Panama

isease.

21

It is requested that every person acquaintéd with any infringe-
ment of these rules will report it to the Inspector of Plant Sanitation
in the Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor, Havana. |

he permits to remove plants from one place to another may be

requested from the Inspector of Plant Sanitation who will issue them
after the inspection gratis.

Havana, July 26, 1916.

(S.) Emitio NGNeEz,
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor.

NURSERY CERTIFICATES

‘A register of all nurseries is maintained in the office of the
Commission. All the nurseries are inspected at least once in six
months and oftener if required. The nurseries that are free from
serious diseases and insect pests, and have only a minimum of the
common ones, are given certificates as shown below.

If the nurseries have any serious pests they are quarantined
and not allowed to send out any plants whatever until they are
freed from such pests. If the nurseries have an excessive amount
of common insects and diseases, the gardeners are instructed how
to proceed to reduce the amount, and if that is done, certificates
are then issued as follows:

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COMERCE AND LABOR.
COMMISSION OF PLANT SANITATION

The Commission of Plant Sanitation hereby certifies that on

the.... day..... Obie scare was inspected by the Inspector of Plant

Sanitation..... of.... in the farm..... property of..... with an

area of cultivation of..... situated in..... Province of.....
Resulting that the...... apparently is free from diseases and pa-

rasites (animal or vegetable) that threaten to become epidemic, and
that of the common insects and diseases there is only a minimum
number. ;

And for the information of whomsoever it concerns, is issued the
present certificate on the..... of 191..... which terminates in.....
Of. ie

President of the Commission of
Plant Sanitation.
Secretary of the Commission of :
Plant Sanitation.

22

REGULATIONS FOR THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS.

Wueress: There exist in the Republic insects and diseases in-
jurious to useful and ornamental plants. . :

WHEREAS: The transportation and sale of live plants furnishes
an easy means for the propagation of these diseases. ;

IN CONSIDERATION of the fact that by the principles expressed in
Article 248 of the Law of the Executive Power it is the duty of the
Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor to avoid the propaga-
tion of the plagues that threaten agriculture in general; in use of the
faculties that pertain to this office

RESOLVED.

1. That every nursery, garden or plantation that raises plants
for sale shall be registered by the Commission of Plant Sanitation.

2. That every proprietor of nursery, garden or plantation that
sells live plants must be provided with a certificate of the Commission
of Plant Sanitation in which it is stated that the nursery, garden or
plantation in question is found apparently free from diseases and
parasites (animal or vegetable) that threaten to become plagues.

3. That every package of plants shipped from a nursery, garden
or plantation must carry a tag with the number and date of the
certificate issued by the Commission of Plant Sanitation.

4, That all persons who sell plants without the corresponding
certificates will be subject to a fine.

The inspections must be made at least every six months and
in case of plagues as often as is considered necessary by the Commis-
sion of Plant Sanitation.

6. This decree will take effect within three months counting from
the present date.

All nurseries shipping plants to any place whatever are
required to place upon the package a copy of the certificate of the
Commission or some sort of card indicating their certificate
number.

RULES REGARDING MAIL MATTER

Up to date there has been no decree regarding the inspection
of plant material passing through the mails. In order, however,
to obtain some idea of the importance of this subject, the Com-
mission through the Secretary of Agriculture obtained permission
from the Administrador of the Post Office to examine all material
that entered through the Office of Havana. The material has been
examined as to whether it, consisted of living plants or seeds. the
kind of plant, and its condition. ’

23

_ At present there is under the consideration of the Com-
mission the advisibility of recommending a decree to prevent the
entrance of live plants by mail.

MISCELANEOUS WORK OF THE COMMISSION
ADMINISTRATION

The Commission is composed of three members who hold
meetings at least once a month, and usually oftener, as the work
demands. The President acts as the executive head in order to
facilitate matters, but all matters of import are decided by the
Commission as a whole.

In addition to the register of the nurseries, records are
maintained of all the places inspected in the Vedado and the
vicinity of Havana for ‘‘Mosca Prieta’’, the names of the owners
of such places and the number and kind of infested plants, and
the date of treatment, of all the places in Guamtanamo and
vicinity inspected for ‘‘Mosca Prieta’’ and treated; of all the
farms in the banana district where the banana disease in found,
and also the farms in the coconut district where the budrot of
the coconut in found.

As the intensive work of the various inspectors has spread
the information as to the purposes of the Commission, and
interest has increased, it has been suggested that there be appoint-
ed, one of the leading planters in each of the various ‘districts as
correspondent of the Commission. This has been suggested to
several, anid promises to be an important means of keeping in
touch with the different communities. Such correspondents will
have official acknowledgement, will receive the comunications
from the Commission to their district, and will send to the Com-
mission reports as to the conditions in their respective districts.

CITRUS CANKER

Citrus canker is a bacterial disease affecting most varieties
of citrus trees, and is so serious that the authorities in the State
of Morida and in Washington have spent almost one million
dollars in an attempt to eradicate it.

24

‘Cuba is so close to, and in past years received so much
citrus stock from Florida that it was early feared that the
disease had been introduced into Cuba. To ascertain whether this
were so the Secretary of Agriculture Comerce and Labor in 1914
authorized the Entomologist and the Pathologist to make an
inspection of the entire Island.

The Florida people have naturally taken a good deal of
interest in this question, as should the citrus canker be found
nere it would be necessary for Florida to quarantine Cuban oran-
ges and grapefruit, as has already been done with citrus plants.

. The following letter from the Plant Commissioner will serve
to show the interest of the Florida people, and.the reply to the
letter will give an idea as to the present conditions in Cuba so
‘far as the citrus canker is concerned.

Letter from Wilmon Newell, Plant Commissioner, Florida, to J. R. Johns-
ton, June 27, 1916.

I am writing to inquire whether any systematic steps have been
taken in Cuba to determine whether or not citrus canker occurs there,
and whether its distribution has been determined. We have reason
for believing that this disease does occur in Cuba. Griffing Bros,
Nursery at McClenny and Miami, Florida during 1913-14 and
1914-15, sent out shipments throughout Florida and the Gulf States,
many of which have since developed infection. We know that this
‘firm at the same time shipped a considerable number of trees to
Cuba, and we have been told that the firm known as Armand y
Ilermanos at Marianao, Havana, received and distributed over the
Asland of Cuba in the neighborhood of 2700 trees from Griffing Bros.
Nursery. Of the trees shipped in from Florida during the same period,
about one and one-half percent have since developed canker infection.
In other words, wherever there are 100 of these trees, there is an
even chance of canker existing and if there are about 30 or 40 to one,
that canker occurs on some of them.

It has been impossible for us to find out what disposition the
above firm made of these trees, as this firm-acted as dealer only and
the trees were supposed to have been distributed in small lots to any
parties who desired them. I would be glad to know whether any in-
vestigations have been made. by the government along this line and
what the results were. The possibility of canker infections coming to
us from Cuba seems to be a very real danger, and even though we
do not now admit any citrus nursery stock from Cuba, there is a
possibility of its coming to Florida on shipments of fruits.

_ We would not wish to make our quarantine against Cuba any
‘stricter than it is at present, unless convinced that the Cuban author-
ilies are neglecting to use proper effort and diligence in locating and
controlling any canker infections which may occur on the Island.

Plate N. 3

22 ee ——<—<—— ee et — = =

Citrus canker in Florida.

25

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, July 1, 1916.

_ In regard to your letter of June 27 regarding the presence of
citrus canker in Cuba, I have the pleasure to inform you as follows:
In a letter dater Oct. 14, 1914, I wrote to Prof. Rolfs as follows:
_ “Can you assist us in ascertaining the names of firms who have
shipped citrus plants to Cuba and the names of those to whom they
were shipped? I understand that Griffing Bros. of Miami have shipped
some. It is probable that through your personal acquaintance with
these people it would be easier for you to secure the names for us.
You will understand that we are anxious to get on the trail of the
citrus canker to ascertain if it occurs here. So far none has been
reported but it seems more than likely that it may be present
unknown to us.” .

In reply to this letter Prof. Rolfs stated that he was referring
the matter to Dr. Berger. j

In a letter dated Oct. 28, 1914, Dr. Berger kindly answered as
follows : “Enclosed I am sending you the names of shipments from
the Griffing Bros. at Miami that went to Cuba last year. I trust that
you will be able to trace the same. I am also sending you preserved
specimens of canker as requested. Would advise that you address the
Griffing Bros. of Mac Clenny, Florida, requesting them to give you list
of shipments from that nursery to Cuba, if they have made any.”

This list mentions only two shipments to Cuba, one to V. Robin-
son, Cuba, 6 buds; and one to Armand y Hno., Marianao, Havana,
Cuba, 2700 trees.

Mr. H. A. Van Hermann, at that time the Horticulturist of this
Station investigated these shipments, and reported as follows: Rob-.
inson’s shipment was only buds and showed no disease then or since.
Armand’s shipment was opened up and proved to be in such bad
condition it was immediately closed up and returned to Florida.

In a letter dated Oct. 24, 1914, Mr. Beattie wrote me as follows:
“T have been informed that shipments of nursery stock are reported
to have been made from a nursery at Silver Palm, Fla. to Cuba, which
nursery has been found recently to be seriously affected with the
citrus canker”.

Mr. Beattie further stated that he was intending to visit Florida
and asked me to meet him, but I could not make arrangements to
go until the last of December.

In a letter dated Oct. 28, 1914, I wrote to Griffing Bros. at Mac-
Clenny, Fla. as follows: “I would greatly appreciate it if you would
give me a list of shipments of citrus stock which you have made to
Cuba, if any at all. We understand that the citrus canker is at
present causing a great deal of trouble in Florida, and it is therefore
eminently desirable to locate the disease here if there should be any”.

No reply was recived to this letter but I had the pleasure of
meeting one of the Griffing brothers at Miami.in January, and he
assured me that there had been no other shipments of citrus from
Florida to Cuba from their nurseries.

In a letter dated Oct. 28, 1914, I also wrote to Mr. Stirling at
Miami as follows: “I would greatly appreciate anything you can do
to assist us in obtaining lists of citrus shipments to Cuba in order
that we trace up localities where stock possibly infected with citrus
canker has been received.

We already have a list of the shipments made by Griffing Bros. of
Miami but I did not know but there might be others.

26

At the same time we would appreciate any notes as to your me-
thods of treatment of the canker. | a :

We have not yet found this disease in Cuba, but are anxious to
be ready for it should it appear, or if possible to prevent its in-
troduction”.

. No reply to this letter was received, but I talked matters over
with Mr. Stirling in January without obtaining more information as
to shipments. : . ee

In “Modern Cuba” for November 1914, I published a description
of citrus canker with one illustration, in order that the citrus grow-
ers of Cuba might obtain some idea of the diease and if found would
report it. :

‘On the 23rd of November, 1914, the President of Cuba issued a
decree absolutely forbidding the further importation of citrus plants.

The Secretary of Agriculture made a request from the Customs
House Service for a list of all living plants imported during the years
1913 and 1914. A long list was obtained but nothing new resulted
from this.

On Dec. 24 the Secretary of Agriculture authorized me to make
a trip to Florida for the purpose of acquainting myself with the citrus
eanker in the field in order that I might be prepared for inspection
work in Cuba. Accordingly I spent from the 29th of December to the
Sth of January in Dade Country. Mr. Frank Stirling and Mr. Joy
Heck kindly facilitated my visits to the infected groves.

On Dec. 14, 1914, the Secretary of Agriculture ordered an
inspection of all the citrus groves of the Island of Cuba to be made
either by the Entomologist or by myself. As a matter of fact pract-
ically all the inspection has been done by us jointly. The work was
started in January 1915 after my return from Florida, and has con-
tinued at intervals to the present. On May 30 of the present year
a report was made to the Director of the Estacion Agronomica by
the Entomologist and myself of the progress of the inspection work.
This report states that all the colonies from one end of Cuba to the
other where citrus was grown for export had been visited and the
canker was not found in any of them. As a matter of fact the inspec-

tion covered practically all groves whether they were producing fruit
for export or not.

The report does not cover the Isle of Pines which is yet to be
officially inspected, but as a pathologist has been working on the
Island for about two years there is little prospect of any canker being
found there.

During the visit of Mr. Krome to this Station last year he
informed me that Mr. Tenney was looking up a list of shipments to
Cuba and he stated that I would receive further information on this
point. Nothing has been heard about this.

Some weeks ago I visited Armand Bros. in Marianao, talked with
Mr. Armand and visited his place. There is no citrus canker visible
on his property nor has he any serious disease within the last two or
three years. He states, as I have mentioned on a preceeding page, that
the shipment to which you refer in your letter was returned to the
original shipper, without taking the plants from their packing.

Mr. David Sturrock, who is now resident-here, states that he was
employed at Griffing’s Nursery when the package from Armand’s
was returned He informs me that the plants were in bad condition
and were burned.

Mr. Krome and some associates I understand have been or are

27

at present taking a look about Cuba. Mr. Neville of. Havana tells me
ae Mr. Krome states to him that the Armand plants were returned
to Griffing Bros. and were destroyed by them. Should there be any
further doubt on this subject would it not be well to wire Mr. Krome
to investigate the matter here himself, if he has not already done so?

I believe this is all the data I have on the subject. I trust that
you will agree with me that the Cuban Government is doing what is
necessary to protect the interests of Florida as well as her own, as
the work has already cost a considerable sum of money without our
finding any signs of the presence of the canker.

If there are any further particulars regarding our work here that
are necessary to know for the protection of the Florida interests we
are always glad to furnish them so far as we are able. At the same
time if you have any facts regarding shipments of plants that we
should know for the protection of our interests, I am sure that you
will be very glad to furnish them to us.

Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, Oct. 11, 1916,

I was duly in receipt of your letter of September 23rd, with which
you enclosed copy of your letter of that date to Mr. R. E. Althouse,
Secretary of the Federal Horticultural Board, regarding the Board’s
quarantine against citrus in Cuba. I have since received from Mr. Al-
thouse a copy of his letter of Oct. 8rd to you.

I have taken the liberty of sending to Mr. Althouse a copy of
your letter of July first, 1916, to me, which I believe fully summarizes
the situation with respect to suspected shipments from Florida to
Cuba, and do not believe that I am violating any confidences in send-
ing him this copy. I have written him that, so far as the shipment
to Armand Bros. is concerned, we are now thoroughly satisfied that
this shipment was returned to Miami without any trees being taken
out and planted in Cuba, the shipment being destroyed after it
yveached Miami, Also that we are well satisfied with the careful
attention which you have given to the trees on the place of V. Ro-
binson. I do not know to what extent the Federal Horticultural Board
takes into account the possibility of citrus canker having been in-
troduced into Cuba from other places than Florida. It seems that
such an introduction from Texas or Louisiana may have been possible
and of course there exists also the possibility of its introduction from
some other country. I merely mention these as possibilities.

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, Oct. 17, 1916.

I have your letter of Oct. 11 in answer to mine of Sept. 23 re-
garding the Federal Horticultural Board’s quarantine against citrus
in Cuba.

I note your reference to the possibility of introduction of citrus
canker from other localities than Florida, and. will keep that in’ mind.

28

It appears to me that there is little hope now for ascertaining
anything more in regard to shipments and that we will have to be
content with continual inspection in the field. You know that now we
get into the field frequently ourselves. The inspectors are on special
work but at the same time they will report anything found on citrus.

Thus I believe we are at least in a good position to protect
ourselves against the spread in Cuba should it by any chance be
here or get in at any time.

. Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, Jan. 16, 1917.

A few weeks ago at Leesburg, Florida, I met a representative of
the Southern Fruit Auction Company of Chicago. This representative
was very enthusiastic over citrus conditions in Cuba and stated that
he had made several trips there within the last few months for the
purpose of buying fruit. Among other things he said in substance
that the grapefruit groves at Pinar del Rio, in the western part of
Cuba, were going back and were apparently suffering severely from
some cause, the nature of which he did not know. '

I am merely passing this information to you for what it may be
worth. Possibly you are already familiar with the conditions referred
to at Pinar del Rio and know to what extent our information is
authentic. It occurs to us that it is a bare possibility the trouble in
question might be ‘citrus canker, but our informant did not have
sufficient information which would indicate whether or not there was
a probability of this disease being present.

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, Feb. 25, 1917.

In regard to your letter of Jan. 16, I may say that the infor-
mation you have received from the visitor to Cuba respecting the
conditions of the Pinar del Rio groves to be absolutely incorrect.

There are in the Province of Pinar del Rio some abandoned
groves but one cannot properly report them as going back from
disease. It is difficult for one ignorant of the conditions in Cuba to
give reliable reports of conditions here. Many groves of the Island
have been abandoned not because the trees would not grow well or bear
good fruit, but entirely owing to the discouragement of the owner
Zrom lack of capital, uncongenial surroundings, and ignorance of
the first principles of obtaining a living from a piece of land.

' As I have before reported we have visited and still maintain our
visits to all the districts of the Island, and can state positively that
neither abandoned groves nor groves well cared for are suffering
from the citrus canker. ;

The only possibility, and it is a real possibility, is that some
person not in the citrus business has a few citrus trees in his yard
and that these are infected. Thousand of farms and yards in the
cities have a few trees, and we have not been able to visit all these.
What we have done and are still doing is to visit all the “eroves”.

29

The difficulties encountered show well in our Spiny White Fly
work, Numerous wealthy residents of Havana own farms in the coun-
try and occasionally have removed plants from Havana to the country.

_. This is now prohibited, but at the same time we are obtaining a
list of these farms and are visiting them to look for the Spiny White
Fly. In one case only at Hoyo Colorado, some 20 miles from Havana,
a single farm has become infested in this way, but there is no citrus
grove there,

THE BLACK FLY (ALEUROCANTHUS WOGLUMI)
IN CUBA,

Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, dated May 24, 1916.

We have been considerably interested lately in learning as much
as possible regarding the Aleyrodid aleurocanthus woglumi described
a few months ago by Prof. Quaintance of the Bureau of Entomology
in manuscript and which is known to occur in Jamaica and certain
islands of the Bahamas.

A member of our staff, Dr. J. H. Montgomery, has just returned
from a trip of investigation to the Bahamas and has found that this
pest is very destructive there, particularly to lime trees. Prof. Quain-
tance quotes you as saying that the guava is one of the plants
subject to attack by this insect and from this information I infer that
this pest occurs in Cuba. :

Will you kindly write me whether or not you know this pest to
occur in Cuba and if possible, the extent of its distribution and the
extent of its ravages. 3

The writer believes that close co-operation along the lines of
keeping informed regarding the various pests and diseases which are
likely to be injurious either in Florida or Cuba will be of the utmost
importance to all parties concerned.

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, dated, May 31, 1916.

Your letter of May 24 in regard to Aleurocanthus woglumi has
been received. tad

In reply I would state that in August 1915 a few specimens of
this insect were received by our Entomologist who determined them
as Aleurocanthus woglumi by comparing them with material brought
over by me from Jamaica in the month of June of the same year.
The specimens were reported to occur on a few citrus trees in a yard
outside of Guantanamo, and were sent in not so much as something
serious as something new.

This constitutes the first report of the insect in Cuba. The only
notes we had as to the importance and the distribution of the “black
fly” were in a written description given me by Mr. Ashby of Jamaica.

30
‘

At Christmas I attempted to obtain personally from Prof. Quaintance
further information as to the importance and distribution of the in-
sect, but could ascertain only that it was common in plants of India
and had probably been introduced from there to Jamaica. Very little
was known as to its importance. Our Entomologist subsequently had
his identification of the insect verified by Prof. Quaintance, and he
presented a paper on the subject to the Sociedad de Historia Natural
of Felipe Poey in Havana. ;

The Entomologist and myself have been on a citrus survey of the
Island and we did not find any of this insect until toward the end of
the work when we went to the plantation where it was reported,
making the visit not because the plantation was in a citrus center but
because of this report. There we found that it had spread considerably
and was possible covering a radius of two miles. It occurred in va-
rious citrus trees, on mango, coffee, and on guava. This constitutes
the only record of its ocurrence in Cuba. The focus is at Guantanamo,
a district far removed from any of the citrus exporting colonies so
that its control should be a comparatively easy matter. We have
just returned from the completion of this survey and the examination
of this center and have just made our report to the Government, and
although the insect occurs over only a small center at present, plans
are being made to restrict it to that center and eventually eradicate it.

Letter, from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, dated June 10, 1916.

I beg to thank you for your full and explicit account of May 31st
regarding the occurrence of Aleurocanthus woglumi in Cuba.
~~ T note that this insect apparently occurs in a very limited area at
Guantanamo. I am wondering whether there are any exportations of
any kind to Florida from Guantanamo, and also whether there is any
likelihood of freight cars being loaded at Guantanamo for shipment
via Havana and the car ferry to Key West. From what we knom of
the distribution of the ordinary white fly, Aleurocanthus woglumi
would he readily transmittable in freight and passenger cars regard-
less of the nature of the shipments which these cars might contain.

If the Cuban government will undertake immediately the supres-
sion and eradication of this pest in the district where it now occurs,
and if the Cuban government can offer us assurance that no shipments
of any kind will be made out of the infested section to Florida, or
through Florida to other points, it may not be necessary for us to
impose a quarantine against the shipment of plants and plant pro-
ducts from Cuba.

At the last meeting of the Plant Board, held on June 5th, the
following rule was adopted:

‘The importation into Florida of all trees, plants, vines, shrubs,
cuttings, scions, leaves and parts of plants from the Bahamas, India
and Jamaica, in which countries the spiny citrus white fly (Aleuro-
canthus woglumi) is known to occur, is hereby prohibited: provided,
that this rule shall not be construed as prohibiting the importation
of fruits and vegetables intended for use as food products when such
Truits or vegetables are not infested or infected with any injurious
insect or disease or the importation of which is not otherwise speci-

31

fically prohibited: provided, further, that this rule shall not prohibit
the importation of lumber, logs, sisal hemp or manufactured articles.
Unless we can receive adequate assurances that the Cuban go-
vernment will take steps to prevent the possibility of this insect being
transmitted to Florida in shipments, it will be necessary for us to
place a similar quarantine on ‘shipments from Cuba. :
Dr. J. H. Montgomery, a member of our staff, returned recently
from a trip of investigation to Nassau and adjoining islands, and
found that Aleurocanthus woglumi has proven very destructive in
Nassan during the past ten months, many lime trees having been
killed outright and other groves having been cut down in their entirety
by the growers as the latter had abandoned all hope of saving them
from destruction from this pest. Apparently it is far more destructive
than any species of white fly which occurs in Florida and from the
conditions existing in Nassau we have every reason to fear the
possible introduction of this pest as a calamity second only to the
introduction of citrus canker. It therefore behooves us to take every
possible step to prevent its introduction. This will require rather
drastic measures in view of the large number of plants on which the
larvae might be transmitted, and also the fact that the adults could
evidently be readily carried for long distances in the holds of vessels
or in railway cars.
; We sincerely trust that your government will take initiative steps
in this matter which will obviate the necessary of our placing a
quarantine on shipments from Cuba, but prompt action will be
necessary to avoid the imposition of such a quarantine by our State
Plant Board.

Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, dated Oct. 5, 1916.

I beg to thank you for your letter of Sept. 10th, with which you
enclosed a copy of Mr. J. C. Hutson’s report on the control work on
Aleurocanthus woglumi, in the vicinity of Guantanamo, Oriente, Cuba.

You can realize, I believe, that it is a source of much gratification
io us to know that this injurious pest is being vigorously dealt with
in Cuba, therefore this step certainly will operate to protect us against
the introduction of this pest into Florida. This particular insect has
been very destructive in the Bahamas and we have been in almost
constant communication with His Excellency, Sir William Allardyce,
Governor of the Bahamas, for the past few months regarding possible
control measures.

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, dated Dec. 15, 1916.

I regret to have to inform you that the Spiny White Fly (Aleuro-
canthus woglumi) now occurs in part of the city of Havana. The
pest is limited to Vedado, a part of the city some distance from the
port. It is not very abundant, and seems to have originated not a

32

great while. ago from an introduction of mango plants from Guanta-

namo, the only other point-of infection now known. | ;
The limits of this infestation appear to be definitely ascertained

and moreover inspectors are constantly following it up. The few

known (12) existing points of infestation are being sprayed and will
be watched from now on.

Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, dated Dec. 29, 1916.

_ Please accept my hearty thanks for your kindness in writing me
under December 15th regarding the occurrence of the spiny citrus
white fly in a portion of the city of Havana. ae
‘ So long as efficient work is being done by your Commision for
keeping this infestation under control and so long as shipments of
fruit and other products from the infested section are not being sent
into Florida, I do not believe it will be necessary for our State Plant
Board to impose any quarantines against Cuban plants, particularly
on account of the occurrence of this pest in the Island. - .

I will of course appreciate your keeping me informed from time
to time as to any developments, especially in event the pest is found
to extend over a larger area and to such an extent as to create a
danger of its being introduced into Florida.

REPORT:

concerning the work carried out by the Sefior Emilio D. Cassi on the
destruction of the Marabu (Dichrostachys nutans).

: On May 22nd, 1916, there was sent to me a letter of Sr. Emilio
Cassi, as follows: “Hon. Sr. Sec. of Agriculture, Habana. — Sefior: —
The writer has for some time carried on studies and experiments to
destroy the plant* called Marabu, that has invaded such a large
territory, and has caused such great damage.

The experiments realized up to date have been carried out using
* ehemical liquids, vines of the Family Convolvulaceae, hymenomycetous

fungi, various bacteria and certain insects, and the results forescast
a positive success not far off: ‘

But still it is necessary to conclude various experiments that
really may be considered as proofs, and I find myself without the
necessary resources to carry these to a successful conclusion, since I
have spent everything in my first experiments. .

’__If you could secure from that Meparunen: which you with ‘such
great faith and self-sacrifice direct, some aid, without doubt I could
bring my work to a successful end, facilitating in this manner, to the
agriculturists of Cuba, sure scientific means of eliminating from their

‘TIPMOIS astep 944 SULMOYY, ‘(suULgNU SATOVASOINIIG) ,,NqeIemM,, OUT

eu

33

lds a pest that we have lamented so long, but one that up to date
tle attempt has been made to eradicate.
In hope of your effective cooperation, I remain.

Very respectfully yours,
(S.) Emiuio D. Cassi.
uvario, Havana.”

In order to carry out the task entrusted to me, I solicited
om the Director General of Agriculture on June 29 the author-
ation necessary to go to the nearest localities where Sr. Cassi
is carried out some of his experiments to see the worth of
s treatments. The said communication was referred to the
resident of the Commission of Plant Sanitation, who requested
2 to make the following report.

In the request that Sr. Cassi sent to the Department as well

in the documents that later were obtained there appears no
planation of the technique employed nor of the chemical subs-
nee, as for instance of the proportions. Altogether the writer
S only been able to appreciate the efficacy of the treatment by
s results and never by the scientific explanation of the chemical
bstances, nor of the organisms (fungi, bacteria, and vines)
at were used by Sr. Cassi to destroy the Marabu.

In the different places in which were carried out the ex-
riments are still found many plants in complete vigor; more
er we must take into consideration the certificate of Sr. Juan

Roig, ‘Chief of the Department of Botany of the Estacion
sronémica as follows: I hereby certify that Sr. Emilio D. Cassi
r some time has occupied himself with great interest in the
dy of some means of destroying the injurious plant called
arabu, ‘having tried various means for its extermination, which
1 to the present have not given all the results hoped for; but
1ich indicate the interest the said gentleman thas taken in this
‘air. Moreover, ‘I am informed that the said Sr. ‘Cassi is continu-
x his investigations aimed at present at finding some natural
emy of the said plant, such as other plants more vigorous or
ngi or other diseases that will destroy it; a task that to my
nd in progressing well and merits the official aid of the Depart-
mt of Agriculture. And at the petition of the interested party,
give the present certificate. Santiago de las Vegas, March 6,
16. (S.) Juan T. Roig.

In adition a letter signed by Sr. Salvador Hernéndez in Ca-
iwiiey (June 10, 1914) in which he certifies to having used a
uid in the proportion of one bottle to 20 of water, and after
tting the plants the liquid was applied and no subsequent
routing took place. This proceeding is said to be employed to

34

kill the zarza, guana, guayaba, and moreover marabu, with good
results. We have been able to see plants treated in this way and
moreover we have heard of various cases in which after several
months sprouting began. Dr. Aristides Agramonte on March 10,
1916, certified in the following form the studies of Sr. Cassi:

I hereby certify that Sr. Emilio D. Cassi for many months has
been studying the application of bacterial organisms to the destruction
of certain injurious plants as marabu among others, with probabilities
of success. And for the information of whom it may concern I issue
this certificate. Dr. Aristides Agramonte, Professor of Bacteriology
and Experimental Pathology in the University of Havana, March
10th, 1916.

As may be seen this certificate does not express in a definite
manner what organisms are employed, and definitely states only
that the results will probably be successful although there are
no results as yet.

Sr. Pedro Puig, Secretary of the Provincial Administration
of Camagiiey, certifies to having been present at an experiment
made by the Sr. Cassi with the application of a liquid substance
to exterminate or kill the Marabu; having been able to observe
the satisfactory result if there were used a proportion of the
liquid 1 to 5 or 1 to 10.

In this certificate is seen a discrepancy that exists regarding
the proportions of the solution, since while in some cases there is
dissolved one part of the liquid in 5, and 1 in 10 in other cases,
and there are even those who recommend using the liquid pure.

Sr. Diego Acosta, Official Paymaster of the Secretary of
Public Works in the District of Camagiiey, manifests- the fol-
lowing :

T hereby certify that I have used the liquid that is sold by Sr. Emi-
lio Cassi and known by the name “Destroyer of Marabu”, with the
following result: In a proportion of 20 bottles of water to one of
liquid the solution was put on the Marabu and around the trunk, and
in 15 days I had noticed that there had died 10% of the plants. Not
satisfied with this result, I prepared the liquid in a proportion of 1-10,
and carried out the treatment cutting the plant almost to the ground,
and slashing the stumps, applying immediately the solution, so that
all of the plant died, without, up to date (4 months afterward and
with plenty of rain) having any shoots appear.

And at the request of the Sr. Emilio Cassi, for whatever use he

may consider it necessary, I write this certificate in Camagiiey, Nov.
Gth, 1914. (S.) Diego Acosta. ree

In the foregoing certificate is seen the excellent results of
the preparation that Sr. ‘Cassi sells under the name ‘‘ Destructor
of Marabu’’, and we have not been able to ascertain. nn ta the

35

present, the chemical composition of the preparation, even in the
register of trademarks in the Department of Agriculture, Com-
mence and Labor, Office of Trademarks and Patents.

_. The President of the Provincial Council of Camagiiey cert-
ifies in the following form the work realized by the Sefior Cassi:

_ The undersigned, members of the Provincial Council of Cama-
giiey, hereby certify:

._ That we have been present at an experiment made by Sr. Emi-
lio Cassi and Papini, upon the application of a liquid substance to
exterminate or kill the plant called Marabu, having been able to
observe a satisfactory result when there was used a proportion of
the said liquid of one bottle dissolved in 5 or 10 parts of water.

. And at the request of the said Sr. Cassi, we issue this certificate
in Camagiiey, on the 30th of May, 1914.

(S.) Florencio Simancas, Pedro Juarez R., Ricardo Ortega. (Seal
of the Presidency of the Secretary).

Sr. Jose Leon Almanca, living on the farm ‘‘San Blas’’
‘in Camagiiey, states in the following terms:

Sr. Emilio Cassi: — Camagiiey, My Dear Sir.—I take pleasure
jin informing you I have experimented with your liquid for destroying
Marabu, and can say that I have used it in the proportion of 11 parts
of water to one of the liquid, and the result has been excellent. All
the plants of Marabu which I treated, and I can say that the treatment
was not very great, but in three days all the plants were dead. Six
days afterwards I examined the roots of some of them and I have
found them in a real state of decomposition, some with the bark fal-

len away. In view of this experience, I believe the liquid is better
than crude petroleum.

This laudatory communication for the treatment of Sr. Cassi
indicates the proportion of 11 parts of water to one of liquid,
which shows again the difference of opinion regarding the pro-
portion of the product to be employed.

From the preceding paragraphs it is seen that the Sr. Cassi
has been occupying himself with the problem of the destruction
of the Marabu in the field, employing different means and carry-
ing out a series of experiments almost all of which were satis-
factory, which demonstrates that he may be in the road to discover
a real enemy of this plant, for which reason we believe it de-
siderable that the said gentleman present a detailed account of
the products employed, the priority of any discovery being safe-
evarded for him. ;
~ ‘The foregoing is what I have to report on this subject.

Very respectfully yours,

(S) Marto Sancuez Rore.
Havana, Oct. 17th, 1916.

36
AN INSECT PEST OF THE SUGAR CANE.

REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE AGRONOMIC STATION
BY THE PATHOLOGIST.

In accordance with the order dated June 28 from the Diree-
tor of Agriculture to study the disease of sugar cane in the
vicinity of Jagiieyal, I have to report as follows: ;

There are many spots of land in the colonia of Sr. Francisco
Bravo in which the cane is either dying or dead. In some cases
there are stalks of cane three or four feet high that have grown
well for a time as shown by several long joints of cane, and then
have suffered some injury so that the upper joints are very short
and the tops are dying. In all cases these upper short joints are
thickly covered with mealy-bugs (Psewdococcus sacchari) in
sufficient numbers to account for the damage.

All of the stunted canes, whether plant canes or ratoon
canes, show abundance of mealy-bug at the base of the stalks,
and when the stool is removed from the ground it is possible to
see the roots literally covered with mealy-bugs.

In many places the poor cane has been burnt off, the fields
plowed, and new cane planted. Usually cane replanted on these
infected areas fails to germinate, or if it does germinate the
shoots are weak and do not produce good cane. Examination of
many seed that had been in the soil from one week to three weeks
showed the buds covered with mealy-bugs in number sufficient
to account for the weakening anid death of the shoots.

The mealy-bug feeds directly upon living cane, either the
roots or the stalk, and obtains its nourishment by sucking out the
juice of the plant. A few insects do not cause a great deal of
injury but large numbers as are present in the vicinity of Cen-
tral Jagiieyal cause serious injury and death to the plant.

The probability of other factors contributing to this trouble
were considered. Termites were found in abundance in many
places among the roots and in the stubble of the cane, ‘but only
in dead parts. A few white grubs were found after digging up
the cepas but there was no visible evidence of injury to the
roots due to these grubs. No fungi were present in any quantity
to render them suspected of causing injury to healthy plants.
Soil conditions were equally as good in the infected areas as in
the non-infected. ‘The only conclusions, therefore, that I have
reached is that the mealy-bugs alone are responsible for this
trouble. :

The extent of the infested areas was not definitely ascertain-

37

ed. Several spots of several acres in extent were seen, and there
were several small spots. This same trouble is said to exist not
only in the colonia of Sr. Bravo but also on other eolonias of
Central J agueyal and of Central Stewart.

This plague constitutes by far the most acute problem among
those relating to insect injuries in sugar cane in the Island of
Cuba. It absolutely kills the cane, it is distributed over a wide
area, appears to be speading, and occurs on most excellent soils.

It is most assuredly worthy of further study to determine its
exact distribution, and to ascertain means of control. The
imsect is one well known in many cane countries and there are
certain means known to assist in control but no direct remedy or
means of eradication.

I would respectfully recommend that the following measures

be taken immediately :

(1) That an entomological assistant be detailed to make a com-
plete survey of the fields about Central Jagiieyal and Stewart to as-
certain the distribution of this insect.

(2) That experiments be made at Central Jagiieyal with the
view to determine if possible some poison with which to cover the cane
prop in order to prevent the attack of the mealy-bugs on the young
shoots.

(3) That the Australian Lady-bird beetle (Cryptolaenus mont-
vauzieri) be introduced into Cuba and be disseminated in the fields to
assist in destroying this mealy-bug.

(4) That the mealy-bug fungus (Aspergillus Flavus) be de-
veloped in large quantities and sprend in the infected fields to further
assist in the destruction of the mealy-bug.

Extract from a letter to the Cuban Sugar Cane Corporation from the
Commission of Plant Sanitation, Sept. 14, 1916.

In addition to the report that you already have, I will add the
following in regard to this “Disease” in cane, due to the mealy-bugs.
In cane attacked by these insects there is no remedy other than to
burn the affected fields, which of course is done only in extreme cases.
lf a field has been abandoned because of this pest it should be plowed,
all the trash burned, and maintained free from weeds at least for a
period of two months. Cultivating every two weeks should keep down
the weeds and stir up the soil and expose the insects to the sun, a
proceeding which will prevent the insects from multiplying, and will
kill many. In planting cane, seed should be taken from the field in a
clean condition, before removing to another field, so as to avoid carry-
ing the insects about. The common ants contribute greatly to the
spread of the mealy-bugs, but with the care just described, they will
soon be exterminated. ; ; ;

In case that the infected area is very extensive to treat in this

38

way, the worst field should be cleaned up this year and the rest the
tollowing year, and the practice of using clean seed should be follow-

ed in all the fields. ; a

These troubles in general have their origin from the fact that
many individuals little expert in colonias of cane make contracts with
some Centrals promising to prepare a certain number of acres
and these in their turn contract with others that they entrust
directly with the planting for a sum less than that they receive from
the Central. As a consequence the ones in charge of the planting do
not take pains with the selection of the seed, and from this there
results, if not in the first planting, often in subsequent crops, the
appearance of pests and diseases that cause enormous losses to the
Centrals in their plantations and in others, since the insects and
diseases are easily transported from one field to another.

REPORT OF AN INSPECTION TRIP TO THE PASTURES
OF THE RANCH “LA HORQUETA’’, CAMAGUEY, IN
ORDER TO INVESTIGATE A PLAGUE IN THE
FIELDS OF PARANA.

INTRODUCTION.

The report having been made by the Provincial Governor
(temporary) through Sr. Cor. Rodolfo Parrado of the presence
in the jurisdiction of Camagiiey of a plague of insects destroying
the pastures, the affair was put into the hands of the Commission
of Plant Sanitation, who designated the writer, a member of the
commission, to carry out an investigation. On Oct. 10th, and in
company with Sres. Parrado, Iglesias and other ranchmen of
that locality, we went to the ranch ‘‘La Horqueta’’, located some
eight leagues'S. E. of the City of Camagiiey, comprising some
150 caballerias, covered almost entirely with the grass ‘“Parana’’
and dedicated to cattle raising.

OBSERVATIONS,

The grass called ‘‘Parana”’ or ‘‘Paral’’ (Panicum numidia-
num) was observed completely dry over large areas, in spite of
the fertility and freshness of the soil, Sr. Parrado informing us
that he estimated some 20 caballerias to have been lost, all of
pasture land, anid in fertile clearings.

‘Other ranchmen made similar reports, estimating that
oe 50 caballerias may have been destroyed in all that te-
rritory.

Plate N.o 5

Monecphora bicincta. The insect enlarged in the center

and natural size in the corner.

39

CAUSE OF THE DRYING AND DEATH OF THE “‘PARANA””’.

According to the examination made of many dried plants,
finding in them many remains of insects, from the number of
nymphs of, the insect that were found at the base of the plants
still alive, and from those that were found and collected, there
can be made the definite statement that the cause of the damage
was the insect Monecphora bicincta Say. We were informed that
there was a large numer of these insects flying among the grass
months before.

THE INSECT MONECPHORA ‘‘SALIVITA’’.

The insect Monecphora bicincta Say, belongs to the large
group of sucking insects or the hemiptera and to the family
Cercopidae, thus being related to the stink bug, the spiny white
fly of citrus of Guantanamo, of the scale insects, of the mealy
bug of cane, and of many other insect pests of importance to
agriculture.

These insects are distinguished particularly by being covered
by a juice which they extract from the plant on which they
feed, and resembles the human saliva, for which reason we believe
it desirable to call the insect by the name spittle insect ‘‘Sa-
livita’’.

HISTORY OF THE INSECT IN CUBA.

_ From the year 1910 (Sept. 30th) were received in the
Experiment Station specimens of these insects, which were sent
from Perico, Matanzas, by the Sugar Company of Tinguaro, it
being reported that they had been present in large numbers and
that they were flying over all the plants. Later and on different
oceasions the writer collected the insect on the lands of the
Experiment Station, at Santiago de las Vegas, Havana. They
were especially abundant in one lot that having been in grass,
was plowed, and on breaking the soil many insects were caused
to fly wp. In ‘September of last year (1915) they were found in
abundance, sucking the juices from the roots of the cane, forming
there the characteristic spittle (salivita) disappearing when the
dry season arrived. In La Gloria (Guanaja) in the north of the
province of Camagiiey, were collected adults that flew among
the grass. In ‘Baracoa in April of the present year (1916) were
also collected by the writer adults in the grass. Also Mr. U. C.
Loftin, Entomologist commisioned by the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture to study in Cuba the parasites of the moth

40

stalk borer of cane, reported in January of 1916 that he had
seen these insects in the sugar cane over almost all the Island,
but in small numbers. Finally the recent plague of this insect at
the ranch of La Horqueta and others adjacent in Camagtiey is
avident proof of the general distribution of the’ insect over the
Island, multiplying until it constitutes a plague, apparently only
when the season is very damp, and there exists ‘a desirable food
in abundance. :

SIMILAR PLAGUES IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES.

In the British West Indies, insects (Tomaspis spp.) very
similar to the foregoing are well known from the damage they
cause in the sugar cane and other grass plants and are designated
by. the common name of frog-hopper and frog-spittle (Insects
with the saliva of frogs). In the Island of Trinidad these insects
have been very destructive, being according to F. W. Urich, the
two species most common, Tomaspis varia Fab. which is more
abundant, and 7. bicincta. Insects of this same group also occur
in the countries of Central America and Northern South Ameri-
ea, Mexico, Nicaragua, British Honduras, Costa Rica, and
Demerara. :

LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE INSECT.

In its adult state, that is, the state of the complete develop-
ment, the insect has the appearance of a small butterfly, with
a thick body of a size approximately 10 mm. long by 5 mm. wide.
The body is reddish, marked with black, and the anterior wings
(those which are seen when the insect is in repose) are of a color
dead black with two transverse reddish stripes. These insects are
easily found upon the leaves of the grass and they fly with ra-
pidity from 2 to 5 meters when molested. They are most active
from dawn until the sun becomes most hot, then hiding under:
the trash close to the ground.

The eggs are laid on the soil very close to the plant in the
places most protected from the sun. The eggs take to hatch some
12 to 20 days, in a wet period, but if the weather changes and
becomes dry they remain in good condition without hatching for
more than four months, waiting for a wet period, this being the
reason why they multiply so when the season is continually wet.

Immediately upon hatching, the small insect adheres to some
roots or some tender part of the plant where it begins sucking
out the juices and covers it self with a secretion which ‘protects
it, and for this reason we have believed it appropriate to call

Plate N.° 6

The frog-spittle formed at the foot of the sugar cane by the insect

Monecphora bicincta.

Plate N.o 7

A good bunch of the grass ‘‘parana’’ dried by the insect

Monecphora bicincta.

41

the insect ‘‘Salivita’’, since it much resembles the human saliva.
In this state called the nymph, the insect grows and gradually
levelopes, changing its skin 4 times, it being observed from the
third change that the wings are beginning to form, and ‘at the
fourth change these are complete. When the nymph is in the
‘irst stage, that is to say still small, it is found only on the lower
part of the plants, near the roots, but in the third and fourth
Stages it goes higher on the plant and some times in the angle
formed between the leaves and the stem of the plant. To attain
complete developemént it takes from 32 to 40 days, and it may
move to another part of the plant that is more juicy.

_ The time of the year in which this insect seems to reproduce
itself in greatest numbers is in the rainy months from July to
November, especially in these last months, September, October
and November, according to the weather.

PLANTS ATTACKED.

The plant in which this insect has been found in greatest
numbers is the pasture grass called ‘‘Parana’’, ‘‘Panama’’, or
‘Paral’? (Panicum Numidianum) It is also found attacking the
guinea grass (Panicum maximum), when this plant is found
among the ‘Parana, it having been found completely dried out to
the extent that it can be pulled up without any force, notwiths-
tanding that it is well rooted. In the grass ‘‘Don Carlos’’ (Sor-
gum halapense) at the Experiment Station, this insect was found,
and in Camagtiey this insect was found in the grass ‘‘Vetiver’’
(Andropogon muricatus), and in other grasses that were not
determined. In sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) it may often
be injurious, but the plague can easily be arrested by removing
the lower leaves and cleaning the field of grass.

IMPORTANCE OF THE DAMAGE.

In the parana grass the damage has been considerable at the
ranch La Horqueta and in neighboring ones to the south-east of
Camagiiey. In pastures which were very fertile and new and
where the grass grows with great vigor was observed large areas
up to 20 caballerias in extent, completely dry, although the plants
remained intact, since the damage done by the insect consists in
sucking the juices at the foot of the plant, and the roots near
the collar, which are the parts most juicy. In the nymphal stage
or when it looks like a salivita is when it is most injurious. In the
adult stage it feeds itself in the same way by sucking the juices,

te

an insect lacks food in one place he tries to emigrate to new
pastures. The damage caused by this plague this year in the
Province of Camagiiey may be estimated at more than 20 to
25,000 dollars, since no less than 40 to 50 caballerias of pasture
have been completely dried out by this insect, without hopes of
the grass growing again, or if it lives it is so impoverished that
it quickly goes to seed, and its place is taken by bad weeds and
stronger brush, eee

The losses in sugar cane we have not been able to estimate
since the plague was not very extensive nor of long ‘duration here,
but in Trinidad (British West Indies) it causes considerable da-
mage, sucking the juices from the plant and causing the leaves
to turn yellow.and dry up, although it is said that if the weather
changes and becomes drier so that the plague ceases, the sugar
eane will sucker again.

METHODS OF CONTROLLING THE PLAGUE.

Owing to the special conditions in the pastures of the Pro-
vince of Camagiiey that have been almost all in timber and in
them still remain many trunks of trees, it. is difficult to
take such means as would be applicable on smooth lands, free
from obstacles and of much less extension. :

When there has been reached the extremity of having com-
pletely lost all of the parana, as inthis special case, there is no
longer hope of saving anything of the pasture, and every means
should be taken to destroy the eggs and nymphs and adults. In
this case there can be advised nothing more than to set fire to the
pasture as soon as the weather is suitable, a fireguard being
fermed just a little outside the limits of the plague, so as to
include all of the insects.

When it is first observed that the grass is infested and that
the number of the insects.is already large, every means should
be tried for their destruction, which may be done in various ways.
For the purpose of destroying the adults one of the methods that
has been used with success in Trinidad consists in locating trap-
lights in the fields at certain distances from each other. ‘These
trap-lights consist of a powerful light. with a reflector located
above some container with coal tar or kerosene, in such a way
that the insects that are attracted by the light fall into the con-
tainer. This apparatus may be more or less elaborated according
to the ingenuity of the one making it.

Another means that would be more appropriate in this case
and that is more recommended for the treatment of large areas
consists in passing over all the field a wooden beam in the manner

BPUINIG VIOYMIOUOPL JSUT Of} WloLJ deIJ ssvis ,,euered,, oy4 jo 101 V

‘BYOUTIIG VIOYMIUOF JOOSUT 9} fq posomseop ,,eueied,, sse1s oy} JO SpToLT

Q a NT aacret

43

of a rake with a wall about a meter high, as shown in the illus-
tration, the apparatus being painted with tar that sticks to the
Insects that are aroused by the raking and fly against the appar-
atus. This apparatus is naturally made according to the ne-
cessities of the case and the skill of the constructor.

NATURAL MEANS TO CONTROL THE PLAGUE.

In Trinidad there ‘has been used with considerable success a
fungus called the green muscardine, which produces a disease
in the insects. It is contagious and destroys a number. The
fungus develops best in the atmospheric conditions in which
develops best also the Monecphora, so that we believe it would
be of considerable utility to spread it in the fields when the pla-
gue develops again. Mr. J. R. Johnston, Pathologist of the Ex-
periment Station reports that this fungus exists in Cuba and
believes that it would be of some use in the control of this plague.

SUMARY.

‘The insect that has caused so much damage in the parana in
Camagiiey is the hemipterous cercopid Monecphora bicincta Say.
(Salivita).

The parana grass Panicum numidianum is most attacked.

The insect is found well distributed in Cuba, but only when
there exists a great abundance of its preferred food and when
conditions of humidity are right does it multiply enough to const-
itute a plague.

The life of the insect is presented in three distinct phases:
‘the egg that is laid in hidden places near the foot of the plant
on the soil, the nymph which forms the salivita and lives in the
places richest in juice and moisture, like the roots and nodes,
and the adult that flies about and lays the eggs.

The means most recommended for destroying the plague is
to collect the adults which lay the eggs as this is the stage easiet
to trap by means of lights, and by means of rakes painted with
tar or tanglefoot.

To avoid the propagation of this plague, burn those fields
where it has appeared and has not been controlled in time to
prevent drying out the pasture, for the purpose of destoyng the
eggs that remain there and likewise the adults and the nymphs.

Among the natural means that may be applied at present
there is only the green muscardine fungus.

44

CERTIFICATES OF INSPECTION FOR
EXPORTED PLANTS

In regard to the issuing of certificates for plants to be
shipped to foreign countries, two important problems have arisen,
neither of them of such a nature as to be easily overcome.

The first problem is due to the very existence of plant
quarantine regulations: themselves. Various countries have these
regulations. The United States ‘has certain ones, and the various
States have others in addition.

Insect pests and diseases are occasionally appearing in new
countries, and rarely are they disappearing. These conditions,
however, cause the quarantine regulations for their control to be
in a more or less constant state of fluctuation: that is to say, new
regulations are being made and old ones modified or abolished.

For any one country to obtain up-to-date advices as to these
regulations seems impossible, or at best difficult.

As a result of this, certificates are occasionally given by the
inspector of one country for plants to be sent to another country
which has a quarantine against. such plants whether certified
or not, The issuing of the certificate of course has done no harm
unless it was to mislead the shipper into a sense of. false security.
At best it reflects as a piece of foolishness on the one who issued
the certificate.

_The -President- of ‘the Commission of Plant Sanitation
has already elsewhere published a solution of this difficulty that
is, the creation of a Central Quarantine Board for all the Ameri-
can: countries. Such a Central Board to make a special duty. to
maintain on file copies of the quarantine regulations of all the
American countries and to nny each and every country of
any changes.

Pending such a very desirable arrangement between the
different countries, each country has to do what it can to ascer-
tain the various. ‘regulations of-the. neighboring countries.

The other difficulty encountered in this work is two fold, and
is -dme. to the lack. of knowledge of the insects and diseases of
the country. In Cuba there are many insects and diseases un-
known to the-inspectors and to the investigators of that country
as well. as of other countries (see page 52). So far as the
insects are concerned, for the most part they can he seen. So
far as the diseases are concerned; any sympton of disease can be
seen, but the presence or absence of spores or of mycelium or
other inconspicuous parts of a disease-producing organism may
be difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye.

‘MOLA OPIG ‘saInqsed oy} oseuep yey} syoosur dery 07 oyey

Rake to trap insects that damage the pastures. Front view.

oe

‘selnqsed 919
osVUIYp WY} Sposur dex 07 soyeygy poqUN oY, UT Pesn ST 4eIY seyeA oyY Jo au0 Jo SmMeIp v Jo Adog

——
2S SS
capa Caan OD

=
x

/
4/

45

_ To illustrate this point extracts from various letters will be
given as follows:

Letter from J, R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, dated June 29, 1916.

I would like to call your attention to a recent shipment of royal
pals that was sent from Cuba to Miami, Fla. for use on the Deering
state. The shipper has been informed that part of the lot was con-
demned on account of a fungus on the trunk. I would greatly
appreciate complete information as to the specific fungus and the

nature of the disease for which the material was condemned if this
report be true.

Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, dated July 18, 1916.

With reference to yours of the 29th, will say that the report of
our Deputy Port and Railway Inspector at Miami shows that on June
21 he inspected a carload of royal palms from Santiago consigned to
the Deering Estate of Miami, of which sixteen were destroyed or
badly damaged by a fungous disease. My understanding is that the
palms destroyed were so. badly damaged by the fungus that it would
have been useless to plant them anyhow. sit

We have not yet received at this office any specimens from the
shipment and I do not know whether any have been preserved or not.
From the description which I have received of the trouble, it appears
that the palms which were destroyed were useless anyhow and even
though the fungus were not identified, their destruction when so
badly infected with any disease would have been fully justified.

TT A>"
Letter from the Secretary of the Federal Horticultural Board to the
shipper of the royal palms, dated July 22, 1916.

Under date of June 20, 1916, there arrived and were entered by
you to W. D. Sturrock, Miami, Fla.’ under permit No. 587. These
plants were certified by the inspection service of your country as being
free from injurious insect pests and plant disease. We are advised by
Prof. Wilmon Newell, Plant Commissioner, of the State of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida, that an examination of the palms on arrival
indicated that sixteen of them were badly affected, in fact, practically
destroyed by a fungous disease which has not yet been identified. In
view of the fact that the destination of these plants is only about forty
eight hours removed from Cuba, and certainly not over three days
removed from the original shipping point, Santiago, it is evident that
they must have been ‘in a diseased condition at the time they were
shipped. A repetition of shipping diseased plants will compel us to
cancel all permits to import from you and to refuse to issue further
permits. ; :

46

A similar letter was sent by the Secretary of the Federal
Horticultural Board to the Inspector who had certified that the Royal
Palms were free from injurious insects and diseases with the addition-
al statment that “The continuation of diseased shipments as free
from diseases and insect pests will compel us to invoke the second
paragraph of regulation 7 of the enclosed circular, namely the can-
cellation of all outstanding permits and the refusal to issue further
‘permits for the importation of nursery stock from Cuba”:

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, dated July 29, 1916.

In regard to the disease of the royal palms shipped to Miami, I
can readily see that little else could be done other than destroy the
affected trees. I regret exceedingly hower, that the Inspector did not
either send to the Pathologist of the Plant Board or to yourself some
specimens of the fungus causing the disease or refrain from using
the term disease in his report. E
4 I have been working among royal palms for many years, have
studied their diseases, and I personally inspected this lot that went
to Miami, and further examined the palms remaining in the field
where these were obtained, without as yet having seen what is pro-
perly a “disease” of the trunks. :

Naturally the report of the Inspector to the effect that this lot was
diseased on arrival in Miami aroused my interest, not only because it
‘was a report of something new to me but actually new to science. I
realized that there are still many things unknown to us in Cuba, and
here seemed an apportunity for obtaining some new data.

It is apparently impossible for an inspector to identify every
disease that he meets, but I would take liberty of suggesting that
you urge upon the inspectors the desirabitity of sending specimens to
your Pathologist for identification. :

Such a procedure would be of great help to us should a similar
case arise again.

Mr. Althouse of the Federal Horticultural Board has upon receipt
of your report to the effect that these palms were diseased written to
the original shipper to the effect that should he ship diseased plants
again further permits will be refused him. You will thus readly see
the desirability of complete and accurate reports on all rejected plants.

Extract of a letter from J. R. Johnston to the Federal Horticultural
Board, dated July 29, 1916.

As regards these letters I would call vour attention to the fact
that the palms were certified by the Inspection service of Cuba as being
freen from disease when they left the shipping point, and in Miam
these same palms were inspected by the Deputy Port and Railway In.
spector and some of them were reported diseased. On the one hand ar

47

entomologist and a pathologist who are acquainted with diseases and
insects of royal palms in general and this lot in particular who declare
the palms free from injurious insects and diseases, and in the other
hand an-inspector who is neither an entomologist nor a pathologist
(according to report) and who does not know the diseases and insects
of royal palms in Cuba declares them diseased.

Under these circumstances I think the Secretary of the Federal
Horticultural Board would have been justified in writing to the Plant
Commisioners for more explicit information, and that he should have
done so before writing to the shipper, and failing to receive more
explicit information should have refrained entirely from expressing
his intention of withdrawing permits should the offense be repeated.

Letter from Wilmon Newell to J. R. Johnston, dated Sept. 14, 1916.

Will say that I have recently returned from a trip to Miami,
where I gave this matter careful investigation. Specimens of the
fungus infected trunks of the palms were preserved and I am sending
you one of these specimens in separate package. The specimens were
of course covered to a greater or less extent with saprophytic fungi
after being taken from the shipment, and were later preserved in
formaldehyde, so that I doubt very much if the specimen will be of
any value in determining the nature of the trouble.

I am sure that, had you been able to personally see the condition
of these palms when they reached Miami, there would have been no
question in your mind as to the necessary of immediately destroying
the worst infected ones. Sixteen of the palms out of the twenty-six in
the case were practically destroyed by fungi when the car arrived at
Miami. These were burned. The remaining ten were cleaned as well as
possible, scrubbed with Bordeaux mixture, set out, and again sprayed,
with Bordeaux. Most of these ten have since died, and the remaining
ones do not give much promise of remaining alive.

Letter from J. R. Johnston to Wilmon Newell, dated Sept. 20, 1916.

The specimens of diseased palms have been received. I greatly
appreciate your efforts to help us to ascertain the cause of the trouble
in the palms. I hope that your pathologists have made some examina-
tion of the material, for I regret to say that this specimen does not
enable us to decide the cause of the trouble.

Continued examination of thousands of palms trees in Havana
province still fails to show any disease present. Several reported cases
have always shown up as due to insect injury. :

I trust that you bear in mind that we do not maintain that the
palms arrived in good condition. We do believe, however, that their
bad- condition was due entirely to same physical injury before they
were removed from the soil, or that they were injured in the removal

48 ’

or subsequent handling. We cannot pretend to guarrantee the methods
of shipping plants from Cuba that they will not arrive at their des-
tination wilted or rotted or even dead. We can only make inspection
and issue certificates regarding the disease and insects present.

Extract of a letter from Wilmon Newell to Wm. D. Sturock, Miami,
Florida dated Oct. 10, 1916.

Prof. John R. Johnston, Experiment Station, Santiago de las Ve-
gas, Havana, Cuba, has been very anxious to investigate this trouble
which attacked these palms and as he has been very insistent that
he has not been able to find any disease of the Royal Palm in the
Island of Cuba, im fact, inspected these very palms before they were
dug without finding them diseased, I would suggest that if possible
you cut out a section of one of these diseased palms, showing the
diseased tissues and send it to him at the above address....... I
believe that we should offord Prof. Johnston this opportunity of
examining the trees which must unquestionably be infected with
something severe, otherwise those planted out would not have con-
tinued to show infection.

Letter from J. R. Johnston, dated Oct. 18, 1916 to Wilmon Newell.

I greatly appreciate your letter of Oct. 10 with reference to the
palms, and wish to thank you for the trouble you are taking to settle
this matter. We shall be very glad to examine any material that is
sent us and do what we can ourselves to settle this question. At the
same time to be frank I must state that I have no faith in any exam-
ination of the palms in Miami as I believe them to be so badly injured
that anything developing on them will be purely saprophytic, and
that really the only place to study these palms is here in the field
where they were obtained.

Letter from Inspector of the Federal Horticultural Board to J. BR.
Johnston, dated Sépt. 22, 1916.

I have just received a letter from Wilmon Newell. He sent me with
the letter a small specimen cut from the infected palm trunks by
the inspector, which was for some time preserved in formalin and
then takeh out of the formalin. The specimen is in such shape that I
do not make anything out of it.

oar I wonder if this statement will enable you to tell me what

49

the trouble may be. Inasmuch as the palms come from your own

section, it may be that the trouble is one with which you are thoroughly
familiar.

Letter from Inspector of the Federal Horticultural Board to J. R. Johns-
ton, dated Oct. 24, 1916.

If the plants left Cuba in such condition that you were unable to
detect any disease as being present and if there is no disease of
such a nature as that described at Miami on other plants of the species
in Cuba, I hardly see how the condition of this shipment could have
due to any specific disease. As you say, their bad condition must have
been due to some physical injury followed by a rot. That is probably
all we can make out of the matter.

letter from Inspector of fhe Federal Horticultural Board to J. R. Johns-
. ton, dated Jan. 13, 1917.

You may be interested to know of one last chapter in connection
with the royal palms, concerning which you wrote me at length last
Qctober. Mr. William D. Sturrock, Superintendent of the James Deer-
ing property, informed me that he was about to remove the dead trees
and offered to send me a specimen. I wrote him that I would be glad
to see it and later received a large box containing several pieces of
the trunk and leaf bases. Examination revealed the presence of a
number of molds and saprophytic fungi but we were unable to find
any organism which seems in any way responsible for the death of
the palms. I am unable to say anything then to clear up the mystery
regarding the death of these plants, but the absence of any apparent
parasite on the material sent me would seem to indicate that the

lants were injured en route to Florida, and died from the effect of
ransit conditions rather than from the action of any parasite.

The preceding rather voluminous correspondence regarding
this one shipment of royal palms indicates clearly the necessity
for the most careful examination of all material that is certified
here in Cuba, as well as the desirability for further work on
the plant diseases of the Island.

If it is difficult for the inspectors of Cuba to know all the
diseases here it is much more difficult for foreign inspectors to
do the same. As seen in the preceding letters if the inspectors in
the United States had known that there was no serious disease of
the royal palms in Cuba, they would have sought an explanation
of the trouble in other directions.

50

Other illustrations occur: a package of seeds of Erythroxylon
coca were sent from Cuba to Washimgton. The seeds were not
removed from the fruit but this was picked fresh from the bushes
and packed in a sawdust for shipment. The bushes and the
fruits were absolutely healthy. On their arrival in Washing-:
ton the fruit had somewhat dried and moulded. The inspector
found on the fruit species of Gloeosporium and of Pestalozzia.
Now some species of these fungi do cause harm and whether these
particular ones were causing any harm to the fruits in Cuba, the
Inspector could not say, therefore to make sure of not introduc-
ing any pests, he ordered the fruits to be planted in the quaran-
tine greenhouse or returned to the shippers, and as there was no
room for planting, they were returned, notwithstanding the fact
that they had ‘been shipped clean.

During the past summer a large number of avocado seeds
were shipped to the United States. Many of them arrived at their
destination entirely rotted due to the action of fungi, but these
shipments were not rejected by the Inspector because it was
known to him that this sort of rot was common and was mot due
to a disease which would affect the seedling avocado or the grow-
ing plant.

‘These examples illustrate some of the difficulties encountered
and the necessary for care in inspection of various crops.

TECHNICAL WORK OF THE COMMISSION

Strictly speaking the only technical work of the Commission
is confined to the testing of various spraying apparatus and
mixtures for use with them. Spraying is not much practiced
in Cuba, and probably for that reason a good class of spray
pump is diffieult to find here. There are for sale pumps of
various sizes and kinds, bucket pumps, knapsack sprayers, small
tank machines and barrel pumps. It would really seem desirable
that the Commission have on exhibition in their office various
kinds of spraying machinery, to show to people interested in
this thing.

Aside from the important work of the Commission in the
control of certain serious pests, it would seem desirable, that
there actually be undertaken some demonstration work, illustrat-
ing the advantages to be gained by spraying and showing the
‘best kinds of apparatus and those suitable for various types of
work.

51

As regards such technical work as concerns the identifica-
tion if insect pests and plant diseases, all that work is referr-
ed to the Estacion Agronomica at Santiago de las Vegas, to
which it properly belongs, At present it happens that the En-
tomologist and the Pathologist of the Estacion are both members
of the Commission. The Commission as such is not supposed to
attend to technical details of this nature. There is, however, an
. important work along this line that should be treated. ‘The Com-
mission of Plant Sanitation is authorized to issue certificates
of inspection for plants to be exported to other countries. In or-
der to do this efficiently the members of the Commission or the
Inspectors must be acquainted with the various insects and
diseases of the Island; the better acquainted they are with these
pests, the more efficient they may become as inspectors. It hap-
pens, however, that there is no complete list or description of
all the known insects and diseases of Cuba, and mereover there
are many insect pests that are not Imown, and many plant
diseases the cause of which is not known. Thus the Commission
is severely handicapped in the begining on account of these con-
ditions. In order to present to the public the actual situation as
regards this matter the Commission has compiled a list of all the
known insects and the undetermined pests, the plant diseases
whose cause is known, and those the cause of which is not yet
known. The actual data available from publications in Cuba is
undoubtedly far from complete, a fact much to be regretted. It
is believed, however, that a publication of these lists “will serve
to call attention to this situation and therefore bring aid to its
improvement. Following is the list:

52

epunant vzkwoi8y |

TWNLdOM SnYyyUBdOINETY
sduyL,

snye[noewig snyokuerje
eqlpulres eyed y

‘snqIT sneeuyseg |

suodSoinze snevuyoeg
eyeurues sisdousjog
IopONAAsSp snjorpidsy
‘ds wniueoe'T

té00d snoyexIO

Byjxes SnQUuOYjese[yg |
TSUUIE STYAOTTEH -
seploysery sopordapy -

qevos 4Int 7

SISOIO[YD

SOABII 94} FO MEPTIP

jor yoo

FHS ToMOoT AT

‘ds vizzopeqsog
BULLeqeVUuUld eq[ijso1eeydg

‘ds wnyotyoyeT[99
toisdey Biodsoore9
‘ds wuintjo19e[9g

Barodseo1a9

‘+ (eljojeepis vovutody) oouv[q opjeuinsy

(eunssye13 eosiog) o}eoensy

ee eee eeeae (‘ds wnoisde)) fy

* (WINdIpUl wunueseg) 1[ofuoly

~ESad LOWSNI

aSVaSIC

LNVId LSOH

Y9NI 410 SISVISIO ONY SLIFSNI 40 LSIT

53

TUIN{somM snyyweoorns| Vy

elzeul ByUOpoUos)
wsueinysnd wiNntwese[01e3S VV
SIABIIG VIPIVMoy
royonir4sep snjoipidsy
sisueqno Byerydeg

tkood snotyex1O

sn]jernys SNOTEPST]

SoH

gesture sTysOI[oH

sprydy

Booel[isie BuUleqelV
snizeuInsues m

avipue snozepsiqd

sipuvis snuou0yyuy

Biopo snqely

srep[idieyjeo Sul}eozeo']

s1peyoodsied e1ueyoulZ
stvstna eydo[Apoy
the0d snotyexIO

wnourmers wnisodsoyyuiM[eH ERA PS terseee es (BAT}ES BUsAY) BUOAV
weyeuoros elupoong |r (suefooAeis untidy) ody

tide evzodsoo198p)

‘ds winyo1z}0z9][99

s[ ahs eae eee eens Oe ae ee oe ee ee Pe ae ee ee (esouenbs euouy) uouy
spiqerzas |

weet eee eee we A Geteak ile Haste Leyset etek Seen SEAN [omer ae SES (eddeyzeo erpeuruizey, ) orpusewllTy
‘ds snjjloeg :

eloole BlIeNwWey

sys

euldAsso3 eyjsreeydsooh Wy

ois bckade Lin ES SRE See ee coe] +o +S (OsuapEgred umm1d&ss0o‘)) uopos[y

ae eee Siva aut oa neck esauhan Beano epcer 5 satan ee eeitg MRR 2 (weures uINntqojoseytId ) seqol1es[y
sTuLseoipeut B10ds0010()

sacle We eee GN bea SAN Aa SL RRM aE SAYRE Ere STRESS OS (eatyes oSvorpey) BFTPITV
veuleers (eroydures wINUiOUTeUUIH) IOFUe ITY

LSHd LOASNI

asvasid LNVld LSOH

“. gegtare SAY AOLpeTy
tAydosAryo sefydory
eypouaies syedy
Aydosfayo seAydoriy
TuIn[dom snyjuBooINe[y
- Syreus [Pus

tfe0d snoeyio

‘ds snyonig

ByYeulres oyedy

laylo Snoo.000pnes,{
STABPIG VIPIEMOFT

‘ds uintuvse']
snye[noyie snipidseusfeg
eolteeydsiuey BIyWesSTeg
B[eeFOo VULOYSOIUIED

sdiay 1,

seployoesy seporAoTy
evowodr seAydory
epunont ezAwmoisy

reeesees gisor0Tyg
eee en ene eee tenes ‘ds e1uoqoozIyy
ESAS SSRIS RS eBl[odleyjoo eilodsoa1e9

youy ovorg
wer eww neers oe elooloeaeo eIpoldiq

‘++ -geueanpued oveulodl osnq[y:

treeseeeeses (odod ByiqinonD) ezeqe[eg
‘(auaojeealjo wnyAydosAayyD) op[yrreg

‘ress + (Copures umnpAydoséryQ) oqwTeg

i ee (eo1qere Bayon) azeg

trrsereessess (OBoBa BUlOIqosYT) OvoRD

sniqeoputoy seyko |*''***'*** epootyeyeq eyorsoy[Ayd |-- +++ +++ ++ (seqeqeq vaouody) ozeru0g
SI[[Ool[dure serepo.19j}oF{ :

snjyejnoeuntg snyotuesjey, [oT wa eee Hees qeag
*. efnared xuydq ' ee ILM.
sodiiea snuouoyjuy |'° * UNIes.VUR[OS sNI[IOVg
BIAT[O BulWoLI, |7°° 7° *** SBUasuUOTeU WNnIIOdso=aTS)
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55

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SLIB[NSUL 214
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spiqereog [trrtr ttt ee trees dg B10dso0d199 ay (erpuezued eqtag) eqiag
susoseinze snevuyoeg
sieddoy-jeoT
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eprzedisnay eushydey |°* °° ‘'o'* umneure unAydoziyog
snotdsuoout stydaig |********* weyooes Bizeeydsojdey.
epueder viesiuey |'******* snijAydouess so
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56

TUIN{JdOm. snyyueoo1ne[y
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‘SILB[NSUL BT[OIUIPUeI |
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57

sluedi[noew e]jeIn[g
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58

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59

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61

TUIN[SOM SnyyUB.OINETy

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LSad LOASNI

62

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63

SNOAIU snyyUeIEG

sopjeog-Aey

‘ds snevuyoeg

snumuiu snydAatq
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ejnared xiyidq

SULLOMOIT MA

TOplOF FeOT

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SUZISOIIA VpLLo[yD
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SN9I1INI SNISVUIEYIT[
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LSadd LOUSNI

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64

“ce “

BIOULIG Brloydoouop

snye[noeunq snyoduerey, |

‘ds snyonig

Snyeynuruos snpeydesoydér9.

SIze[nsul eV
sueosainze snewuyoeg
snysniq, sn[44s0}doT
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edo[e eg
ole Byeuoydo[iqg

sprydy
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65

LIST OF HOST PLANTS WITH THEIR COMMON NAMES

MAN COPS. sso se wieaca caine cece acacaceraln tin . cebolla
nacardium occidentale ................ marafion
nanasSa Sativa ......... ccc cece pifia
nona cherimolia .............c00e cues chérimoya
yy MUP Cate. descscceereeraeireaane guanhabana
» palustris oo... .. eee eee baga
yy SQUAMOSA ........ ee eee eee ees -.. anon
pium graveolens ....... eee eet ae apio
vachis hypogaea ..............0cee ees mani ~
sparagus officinalé ...............005 esparragos
PCA VUIPATIS: « gcyrscsiscesarsounetio sce erates asin’ sive remolacha
“GNIS SADIGA: e5-0 no cuca tas esae es eR séso vegetal
sassica oleracea ......... cece eee e eee col
‘Janus sts b (i: Ae . gandul
APSICUM SPs voyxccesscanaeae neeneneeae aji
AVICA PAPAYA 21... , eee eee eect eeee fruta bomba
asuarina equisetifolia .............005 pinos de Australia
sdrela odorata ..........ce cece cece cedro
aiba pentandra .......... cece eee eee éeiba
ostrum diurnum .............c cece eee galdn del dia
‘rysophyllum cainito ............-005 caimito
45 olivaefortiie ..........46 cdimitillo
mnamommum camphora ............++ alcanfor
QCOSNUCITELS, mawhaecraeavaesen sees 8 coco
Dffea arabica ..... 0. cece e eee eee café
‘ordia collococca ...........00 cece tree ateje
eumis sativa 2.2.6... cece eee eee pépino
MUCUS CAPObA iscacstie aceianeccuccace:ntare SR Sw zanahoria
GHCHOS: SP. sc: suncocassiitase ace snnta ough eanctediocasa frijoles
oterolobium cyclocarpum ............. oreja de judio
Z fee Leds. Pe
rythrina cubensis ............eseeee pinon de pito
‘cus CARICA ates teuairn eas peti cnewesatiyalianenstole dana eacseie higo
Cae | THEGLOES scoshacesnn snaie seananiranae Davee laurel
| TelHSiOSA aisccia serve ws eas wae alamo
TAGATIA VESCA 1.1... ce eee eee certs . fresa
ossypium barbadensé .............+.. algodén
revillea robusta ........ccce eee eeenee grevilea
uazuma ulmifolia ............. 00s eee guadsima
‘ibiscus esculentum ............0eeeeee quimbombé
5 tiliaceum .......-. cece ese eees majagua
‘ordeum vulgare ..........ceceeceeeee cebada
jomaea batatas ........ cece cece eens boniato

sidaefolia .......eceeeeeeereee aguinaldo blanco

”

66
Jambos jambos.............6.- akin pomarrosa
Lucuma mammosa .......... tee eal ewes mamey colorado

3 NELVOSA 2... eee eee tuearen et canistel
Lycopersicum esculentum .............. tomate
Mammea americana ..............+---- mamey de Santo Domingo
Mangifera indica .1.........sceeee eee mango
Manihot utillissima ................... yuca
Medicago sativa ....... Saye EAR os om SR ay alfalfa
Melia azedarach ............0... weneag paraiso
Mucuna urens .............. seeTeveas. Giants frijol de terciopelo
Musa paradisiaca ..............0e0eees platano
Nicotiana tabacum ..............0+0005 tabaco
Panicum maximum .............-00005 hierba de Guinea

>, numidianum ...........e0000. a » parana

- MiliaceuM ise pes see cies eee millo oe
Pastinacea sativa .........c. cece eens chirivia oe
Phaseolus sp. ....... cece cee ceeeeeeece frijoles
Phyllanthus distichus ................. grosella
Pithecolobium saman .................. algarroba
Pisum sativum .........c cece cece eens chicharos
Pluchea odorata ......... Aas onaGaee salvia
Prunus persica :............ ccc ee eee melocotén
Psidium guayaba .........ceeeeeeeee+- guayabo
Persea gratissima ........... seeeceeees aguacate
Ricinus communis ..............00--000+ higuereta
Saccharum officinarum ..............0. cafia de azicar ;
Sesamum indicum ..............000005 ajonjoli
Sechium edule .......... se sot capistincwrstdie Ouse chayote
Solanum melongena .............0e00ee berenjena

mA seaforthianum ......... senna jazmin de Italia

5 TUbeLOSUM. arse vies ieee een oes papas
Spondias lutea ........... 0c ccc eee eees jobo

“5 PUTPULCH of .ccseckiine eave phere eckiaieies ciruela amarilla
Terminalia catappa ............000000e almendro
Triticum sativum .................000- trigo
Vigna catjan: ciceisace kage conned eee chicharos de vaca
Villa. SPs seiseesd tects Sates Stee gee coals dee eee eoat violeta
Vitis Jabrusca ........ 0... e cece aes .. uva

67

SPECIAL WORK OF THE COMMISSION IN PROBLEMS
OF CONTROL

THE BLACK FLY AND ITS CON TROL

The Black Fly was first determined to oceur in Guba when
material was received at the Experiment Station from Guanta-
namo from a reported infestation on a few trees. This was in
August 1914,

In April 1916 it was ascertained that this infestation covered
almost the entire grove of Sr. Bertran 5 kilometers out from
Guantanamo covering some 7000 citrus trees besides coffee, man-
go, guava and others, and it was determined at this time to
undertake its eradication and control.

_ In July 1916 was begun the work of control under the Com
mission of Plant Sanitation. Sr. Patricio Cardin, member of the
Commission and Entomologist of the Experiment Station together
with Sr. Arango began the work. Pumps were purchased and
treatment of Sr. Bertran’s grove was begun, and later inspections
were made in the surrounding territory to ascertain the limits of
the pest.

Letter from Sr. Patricio Cardin to J. R. Johnston, dated July 24, 1916.

On Saturday we left on horseback and returned on Sunday night,
covering some 22 leagues between going and returning, among the
hills of this region, that resemble very much those of Baracoa, but
owing to the heavy rains they were very muddy. The trip was toward
the northeast of Guantanamo, in the same direction that we took to
San Carlos, to see Mr. Ramsden. Aleurocanthus woglumi is found
distributed all along the road as well as in all the patios where there
was citrus in the town of Jamaica. From here the plague tontinues.
note that it was found on a plant that the wife of Angel Lopez, had
we made note as a point of interest of the house of Eugenia Rivera in
Casimba Abajo. The last place where we found it was in the village
of Palmar, which has no palms but much mud. It is interesting to
note that it was found on a plant that the wife of Angel Lopez,, had
brought from Guantanamo 4 years ago and that probably this served
as a source of infection in that locality. Also we found at the store of
Sr. Manuel Marn the Black Fly.

We visited the farm Virginia, of Sr. Barrabeigt, which is a large
farm about 8 leagues from Guantaname, with extensive coffee plant-
ings and many orange trees in the hills, but fortunately we did not
tind the Black Fly here. 7 Ls

I assume from this that the plague is very extended and that it is
necessary to place a quarantine on all these places so that the insect
may not continue spreading. It is much to be regretted that this was

not reported years ago.

68
Extract from a letter of Sr. Candin to J. R. Johnston, Jul. 28, 1916,

The plague is very dense in the large grove, it being necessary to
employ up to 10 minutes in spraying one tree and even then it does
not reach all the insects, as in many cases the leaves are curled up,
thus protecting the insect. This-is due to this very insect that by
sucking out the juices cause the leaves to curl up.

Report of J. C. Hutson, Assistant Entomologist of the Estacién Agrono.
mica, cooperating with the Commission of Plant Sanitation in
campaign against the Mosca Prieta (aleurocanthus woglumi) in the
district of Guantanamo, Oriente, Cuba,

The writer was sent out from the Estacion Agronomica, San-
tiago ‘de las Vegas, by the Commission of Plant Sanitation to
take charge of the above work in the absence of the Entomologist
owing to illness.

He left Havana on the night of August 20 and arrived in
Guantanamo on ‘Aug. 22. The work was taken up- the follow-
ing day. E

The report of the work against the Mosca Prieta will be dealt
ey under two main headings: Control Work and Inspection

York.

CONTROL WORK

The control measures against the Mosca Prieta were taken
up in’ July 1916 by the Commission of Plant Sanitation. The
Entomologist of the Station, accompanied by one of the Inspec-
tors went out to Guantanamo to begin the work.

The report:of the Entomologist will give details of the work
‘from its beginning until the end of the third week in August,
while the writer in the present brief outline will attempt to cover
the period between August 23 and September 9th inclusive.

_ During this period the control measures have been confined
to'the Finca Montesano, a property about 5 kilometers north of
Guantanamo,

- Condition of the Naranjal at Finca Montesano before the control

A portion of this Finca, the property of Sr. Bertran, is given
up to citrus grove or naranjal of about 8000 medium to small
trees, which at the beginning of July were infested with the
Spiny White Fly or Mosca Prieta, and the report of the Entom-
larger trees, was so badly infested that the trees presented a

69

blackened appearance due to the sooty mould fungus, and the
leaves were in a semi-surled up and wilting condition as a result
of the numbers of the nymphal stages of the insect on their
wndersides,

The winged adults of this insect were also present in such
numbers that they rose in clouds from the trees and undergrowth
when disturbed by the approach of the spraying machine.

Observations on conditions of the above grove after two complete
sproyings with kerosene emulsion.

A visit made by the writer to the Finca Montesano on August
23rd showed that the second spraying of the whole naranjal with
Xerosene emulsion was just being completed, and the following
observations were made:

_ After two complete sprayings the general conditions of the
citrus grove have shown a marked improvement on conditions
mentioned above.

The numbers of all stages of the Mosca Prieta have greatly
reduced, and as a result the trees are resuming their normal
healthy condition.

There are now remarkably few adults, whose presence can
only be detected by a careful examination of the underside of the
leaves, principally those of new growth,

‘The larval or nymphal stages have also suffered heavily as is
shown by their shriveled -condition and by the ease with which
they can be rubbed off. There are, however, an appreciable
number of these stages still alive. Le .

With the aid of a lens it can be seen that a large percentage
of eggs have dried up before hatching, but there are also many
still left in a condition to hatch. Most of these last, however, have-
evidently been laid since the second spraying, and it is import-
ant that as many as possible be prevented from hatching.

The writer therefore recommended a third spraying with
kerosene emulsion as soon as possible. Heavy rains delayed this
work until August 25th, but served some good purpose in killing
a number of adults of the Mosca Prieta.

Rains, machine and labor troubles have all contributed to
retard the progress ofthe third spraying, but towards the end
of this last week (Sept. 7th and 8th) the work was in a sufficiently
advanced state to allow of further observations being made.

Observations made towards the end of the third spraying.

This sprayng has caught a number, of adults just emerging,

70

or about to emerge, before they were able to fly or, in the latter
case, even extricate "themselves from their pupa cases.

In spite of this destruction of adults, however, their numbers
do not appear to have been perceptibly reduced since the last
spraying.

Thé immature stages, particularly the eggs, have suffered
from the effects of the third spraying,’a great number of these
having shrivelled. before they could hatch.

Further remarks.

The writer is of the opinion that with a higher grade of labor
still better results would have been obtained. The men working
the pumps have to be constantly watched for efficient, work to be
done, but constant siypervision has not always been possible.

There Have been many ehanges in the personal of the gang
and this in itself has hada detrimental effect on the even quality
of the work.

The writer considers, however, that in spite of these difficult-
ies the Mosca Prieta is now under such control m the Finca Mon-
tesano that it can be left for the present. Further sprayings,
however, at-longer intervals, say two or three times a year, will
be necessary if this pest is to be kept in cheek.

Inspection Work.

On Sept. 2 the writer accompanied by the Inspector visited
the Finea of Sr.:Morales which lies to the north-west of ‘Guanta-
namo across the Rio Jaibo.

Sr, Morales has about 100 tall citrus trees, mostly orange, as
well as other ‘host plants of the Mosca Prieta: such as mango,
café, etc.

re careful examination of these trees showed that the Mosea
Prieta was very slightly distributed throughout the grove. Traces
of this insect’ were found on about a dozen citrus trees and on
one small mango tree.

The orange trees were many of them badly infested with the
citrus Chionaspis scale, the trunks and smaller limbs and twigs
in some cases presenting a whitened appearance due to the
numbers of male scales.

The writer considers that the infestation of these trees with
the Mosca Prieta is not serious enough to make immediate spray-
ing necessary.

Plans for the future (Tentative Only).

1. To make a complete inspection of the town of Jamaica

Plate N.° 13

Branch of an orange tree showing adult ‘‘Black Flies’’.

71

and its Surroundings, This inspection to be followed immediately
by spraying, where possible.

2. To inspect the valley lying to the Northwest of Guanta-
namo in order to determine, if possible, the limits of the Mosca
Prieta in that direction.

3. 'To find out as far as possible the exact locations of the
trees infested with the Mosca Prieta in the town of Guantanamo
and its neighborhood, and to spray these where possible.

_ , In some cases it will not be possible or practicable to spray
infested trees and other means will have to be adopted later.

Report of J. C. Hutson on the Inspection of the District of Guantanamo,
Oriente from Sept. 9th to Sept. 21st.

This inspection of the Guantanamo district was undertaken
by the writer and his field assistant, Sr. Antonio Mufioz, with the
idea of finding out as far as possible the distribution of the Mosca
Prieta in all directions around the town of Guantanamo.

Previous to this inspection a trip had been made by Sr. Car-
din, the Entomologist and Sr. Arango, the Inspector, in a north-
easterly direction from Guantanamo through Jamaica as far as
Palmar, at which point they found traces of the Mosca ‘Prieta.
In this trip, however, it was not found possible to cover the
country on both sides of the Guantanamo-Jamaica-Palmar road.
The writer, therefore considered it advisable to make a series of
trips taking in the above tract of country with the main object of
finding out the limits of the pest to the north and east of
Guantanamo.

1st. trip. —'The first trip included the Centrals Confluentes,
Santa Maria, San Vicente, San Carlos and Santa Cecilia, and it
was only at the last two of these viz San Carlos and Santa Ceci-
lia that we found any Mosca Prieta.

At San ‘Carlos there were a few citrus trees in the adminis-
trator’s yard, all of which were attacked by the pest.

At Santa Cecilia there was a small grove of citrus from
which the colonias are supplied with fruit, These trees showed a
slight infestation of the Mosca Prieta, and the acting adminis-
trator, Mr. Me Cleod, promised to spray.

The next few days were spent at Finca Montesano and in a
trip to the west of Guantanamo which will be dealt with later.

Qnd. trip. — The small town of Jamaica was made the ‘head-
quarters for a two day’s trip covering the country from northwest
to south east of that town. The first day was occupied with a visit
to the Centrals Esperanza, San Miguel, S. Emilio, Romelio, San

72

Antonio and Santa Isabel. At Esperanza and San Miguel which
lie to the north west of Jamaica we found the Mosca Prieta on
citrus.

The town of Guaso, where there are a number of colonias
belonging to Esperanza, had been visited on a previous trip, but
no traces of the pest could be found. Then the centrals lying to
the east and southeast of Jamaica were visited.

At 8. Emilio there was no Mosca Prieta, but at Romelie we
found the pest in a few orange trees in the administrator’s
garden. Most of these had come from Holguin towards the end
of 1915 and were now badly infested. So far the Mosca Prieta
has not been found at Holguin, so-that the pest must have been
established at Romelie previous to the arrival of the Holguin
shipment. a oO

There is, however, the possibility that they were attacked
before arrival within the infested Zone, but owing to the careful
way in which these shipments are packed this source of infection
need hardly be taken into: account.

The round trip was completed by taking in the remaining
centrals in that locality viz San Antonio and Santa Isabel, but no
Mosca Prieta was found at either of these places.

This trip marked Romelio as the eastern limit of the Mosca
Prieta, so. far as is known. ;

‘On the second day we were able to get up into the hills north
east of Jamaica as far as Palmarita which is some 4 or 5 kilome-
ters beyond Palmar and a steady climb all the way. We did not
‘find the Mosca Prieta beyond Palmar where it had been prev-
iously found by the Entomologiste.

We were unable to get up into the large cafetals, but as far
as could be learnt from intelligent men who know that district it
would appear unlikely that the pest has reached that far.

- ‘This trip placed El Palmar as the northeastern limit of the
Mosca Prieta. :

3rd. trip. — Before going to Jamaica an expedition was made
along a small valley in a general direction west of Guantanamo.
Inmediatly after crossing the R. Jaibo we came to a small finca
‘belonging to Mr. Emilio Quintana. This has mango, anon and
caimito trees among others, and a careful examination showed
that all the mango trees were attacked by the Mosca Prieta
while the other trees were apparently free.

Some 8 or 4 kilometers further west we found a slight infest-
ation of the Mosca 'Prieta on the finca of Sr. Rafael Diaz who has
a few trees in his yard. Within another 3 or 4 kilometers we
inspected two properties, one named Magueysillo, property of
Fernando Campo, and the other belonging to Flores Betancourt.

Plate N.° 14

Branch of an orange showing eggs and larvae of the Black Fly.

Plate N.° 15

Orange tree showing the damage due to the Black Fly. The plant
withers and dries up.

73

We examined a few mango trees on the first finca and two lime
trees on the second, but in neither case did we find the pest. We
then continued west for about 3 kilometers without finding any
signs of the mosca prieta so we turned back and took the road:
back to Guantanamo on the north side of the valley. On the way
we stopped at a finca belonging to Sr. Paulino Rivas where there
18 some citrus. An inspection of these trees showed them to be
free of the Mosca Prieta. A little further on we had to shelter
rom a rain which lasted most of the afternoon.

On the way back we passed the finca belonging to Sr. Mora-
les, where the Mosca Prieta had been found on a previous trip
(mentioned in the first report). This trip showed that the Mosca
Prieta has extended along this valley some 5 or 6 kilometers due
west of Guantanamo.

_Having covered all the territory within 25 to 30 kilometers
radius of Guantanamo except along the valley to the northwest
it was next planned to find out the limits of the Mosca Prieta in
this direction as far as San Lmis on both sides of the railroad.

Since the writer would be obliged to give up the inspection
work within a few days it was thought best to take a few of the
more important points along the valley so that his assistant would
get all the experience possible in view of his having to continue

‘the work alone.

Otherwise the inspection of the valley would probably have
been carried out differently had the writer been able to see it
through to the end.

4th. trip. — Therefore the first trip was made to San Luis
which lies at the western entrance of the Guantanamo valley, as
we wanted to know the worst before continuing the inspection of
the valley.

An early start enabled the writer and his assistant to make
a pretty thorough inspection of the town of San Luis in all
directions and it was found that citrus trees are fairly generally
distributed throughout: the town, and there are also occasional
mango and anon trees.

A large number of the trees were carefully examined in
different parts of the town, but no traces of the Mosca Prieta
could be found, so that as a result of this inspection the writer
feels justified in saying that the Mosca Prieta thas not as yet
reached San Luis. et

We then took the train to La Maya where coffee is grown
extensively. A heavy rain just after our arrival in La Maya limit-
ed our inspection to the town and one of the smaller cafetales.
We also examined the citrus and coffee belonging to the alcalde
Sr. Gabriel Rosas Delcourt who was very interested in our work,

74

and kindly offered to report any discovery of the pest in his
“district, to spread the news of its prevalence around Guantanamo
and to emphasize the danger of importing palms from the infested
area. In the epinion of the writer Sr. Deleourt should be asked to
serve as an honorary member of the Commission of Plant Sa-
nitation for the La Maya district,.in pursuance of the intention
of the Commission to appoint men of influence to represent them
in an honorary capacity in any district where the work of the
Commission is being carried on.

5th. trip. — We returned to Guantanamo that night and
next morning went out by train to-Cuneira, which was chosen as
being the next important point beyond Carrera Larga which at
this time marked the northwestern limit of the Mosca Prieta
found by Sr. Arango. Also Cuneira seemed the most likely place
in that district. where horses might be hired.

An inspection at Cuneira showed that there was a slight
infestation of the Mosca Prieta on a few orange trees in the
garden of Sr. Ezequiel Rojas.

We then got horses and rode in the direction of Ermita
(Arroyo Piedras). About 2 kilometers west of Cuneira and
opposite Santa Maria R. R. siding we found a few citrus trees in
the garden of Justo Dimes slightly attacked by the Mosca Prieta.
At Mamantial we could find no trees which are attacked by the
pest, and examination of citrus and other host plants of the
Mosea Prieta at San ‘Manuel and Santa Rita showed that they
were apparently free of this insect. At Ermita, however, we found
the pest on some small citrus trees quite close to the line. Then we
inspected the garden belonging to Mr.-Randolph, the owner of
Ermita Central but could.found no traces of the Mosca Prieta.

Heavy rain prevented any further mspection and we return-
ed to Guantanamo that night. The writer was obliged to return
to Santiago de las Vegas two days later, and Sr. Azitonio Mufioz
was left to continue inspection work alone. It may be mentioned
ihat the edicts relating to the Mosca Prieta have been distributed
throughout the territory covered by the inspectors, and wherever
possible these edicts were posted in the presence of the inspectors.

Before leaving Guantanamo the writer gave full instructions
to Sr. Mufioz about the further inspection of the Guantanamo-
San Luis valley. The towns of San Luis and La Maya weré
inspected by the writer and his assistant but the territory inter-
vening between San Luis and La Maya and Ermita has not been
examined carefully. There is citrus all through this stretch of
country, mostly along the railroad line, but only in small amounts.
However, this citrus and other host plants of the Mosca Prieta
must be inspected carefully to determine the exact distribution

‘OMe TULIULNY) UL ALT HOVTg ot} Ios soar oy SurAvidg

75

of the Mosca Prieta, as well as a register made of the names of
owners of infested properties.

_ It is planned also to make a house to house inspection of the
eity of Guantanamo to determine the extent of the Mosca Prieta
there and to register the properties attacked by this pest. In this

Way it is hoped that the subsequent control work will be fa-
eilitated.

CONTROL WORK

_ In the intervals between the various inspection trips the
writer visited the Finca Montesano to note the progress of the
control work. It was expected that the third complete spraying
would be finished by the end of September, allowing for ordinary
delays, but the heavy rains for the past tiree weeks have not
made spraying operations possible, so that the control work has
been postponed until more favorable conditions exist,

In concluding the report on the Guantanamo work it may be
said that Finca Montesana was sprayed 5 or 6 times between J uly
1916 and January 1917, and at last was in good condition,
although not entirely free from Mosca Prieta.

All of the city of Guantanamo had been inspected and in
254 residences over 2000 plants were found infested.

The extent of the infestations in the district of Guantanamo
is Shown on the accompanying sketch of that region.

Since early in February there is no report of further work
in Guantanamo. :

_ In November 1916, Mr. H. A. Van Hermann examined some
trees in the house of Mr. Barker on 19 and 4th streets in ‘Vedado,
Havana, and collected various insects and sent them to the En-
tomologist Sr. Cardin. Among these insects were found some of
the Mosca Prieta.

Investigation of the conditions in Vedado were immediatly
begun. It was found that some mango plants had been introduced
from Guantanamo during the last two years, and the infestation
probably begun in that way. The entire block between 17 and 19,
2 and 4 was found infested so that treatment was immediately
undertaken by the Commission of Plant Sanitation. At the
same time inspectors were ordered to determine the limits of the
infestation.

A few days work determined the fact that all of the Vedado
was infested, and in addition the Quinta de Molinos. During the
inspection of December, January, and February no Mosca Prieta

76

was found outside of these limits, Examination was made at
Marianao, Buena Vista, Cerro, Palatino, Naranjito and Los
Pinos. The only exception to this was one infestation at Hoyo
Colorado which was attended to.

Treatment of the whole of the Vedado was carried out and
will be finished about the first of May. Recent inspections have
shown that now the insect is found not only in the Vedado, but
also across the Rio Almendares, in Cerro, in Palatino, and in
Jesus del Monte.

_ All these last infestations appear to be recent ones and for
the present are attended to solely by destroying the infested
Jeaves. Possibly in a few. districts will have to be placed gangs of
sprayers.

The Vedado will have to be sprayed a second time, as the
first time some adults escaped and deposited new eggs. The second
treatment should cover the entire Vedado inside of two months
not to give sufficient time for the multiplication of the insects.
To attend to all this work it is proposed to increase the number
of inspectors and the number of. workingmen.

The atnount of work done week by week in the Vedado is
shown i in the accompanying table.

Residences

inspected or
Date E treated Plants treated
Dec 13 230
28 358
Jan 60 325
94 1993-
87 720
66 445
3 58 406
Feb...... eae 174 1539
: 302 2487
196 3167
Mar.......... 113 2905
123 1370
"1814 15,845

Tn concluding the report: on the Vedado work it is seen that
the Mosea Prieta is found in nearly all the barrios of Havana and
in- Hoyo Colorado some.20 miles out. The treatment of the trees
has immeasurably improved their condition, and reduced the
amount of Mosca Prieta but not as yet eradicated it.

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LIST OF PLANTS ATTACKED BY THE BLACK FLY

(1) Ew ev Vepapo:
guayabo (Psidium guayaba)
limonero (Citrus limonum)
lima (Citrus limetta)
eidra (Citrus medica)
toronja (Citrus decumana)
eanistel (Lucwma nervosa)
granado (Fwnica granatum)
mamoncillo (Melicocca bijuga)
zapote (Achras zapote)
mamey (Lucuma mammosa)
naranjo (Citrus aurantium)
cafeto (Coffea arabica)
cereza (Malpighia glabra)
limoneillo (Tiphrasia aurantiola)
casmagua (Wallenia laurifolia)

(2) En Guantanamo, in addition to the foregoing:
croton (Croton sp.)
anon manteca (Anona muricata)
marafion (Anacardium occidentale)
fruta bomba (Carica papaya)
uvita o goma (Cordia sp.)
anona squamosa
guarana (Cupama cubensis)
galan de noche (Cestrum nocturnum)
galin de dia (Cestrum diurnum)
giiira (Crescentia cujete)
aguacate (Persea gratissima)
coral (Antigonon leptopus)
jazmin de candelero

Fe ,, montafia (Tabernaemontana coronaria)

ppalma-de abanico
plAtano macho (Musa paradisiaca)
farolito chino (Hibiscus schizopetalus)
acalypha linneolata
granadilla (Passiflora edulis)
chirimoya (Anona cherimoya)
jazmin de Persia
begonia sp.
laurel (Laurus nobilis)
gudsima (Guazuma tometosa) ;
marpacifico (Hibiscus rosasinensis)

78

THE BUDROT OF THE COCONUT AND ITS CONTROL

This disease has caused enormous losses in the coconut in-
dustry in Cuba. Extensive studies have been made, and the
Goverriment offered a reward of $30,000 to any one that dis-
covered the cause of this disease, and a method of controlling it.

Fifty seven people, both Cubans and foreigners, made
applications for the prize claiming that they knew the cause and
had efficient remedies. The various applications were at the close
of the contest in Dec. 1913, referred for judgement to a commitee
appointed by the Academy of Sciences in Havana. Up to date
this Commitée has not reported.

Meanwhile the President of this Commission of Plant
Sanitation while an employee of the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture worked in Cuba and other parts of the West Indies and
carried out apparently successful experiments demonstrating
that. the Budrot disease of the Coconut was a highly infectious
disease due to a form of a germ Bacillus coli. Studies made in
various countries revealed the fact that, the principles of sanita-
tion yielded good results in the control of this disease. Prof.
Horne, pathologist of the Estacion Agronomica made extensive
studies and recommended sanitation as the only means practicable.
The Commission appointed by the Government to investigate the
disease in 1911 visited Baracoa and likewise reported on the
feasibility of sanitation and recommended Government measures
for control of the disease.

From the extensive studies made i in this country and in the
Island of Jamaica, of Trinidad and elswhere, there would seem
to be no doubt that now the immediate cause of the disease is
known and that there is a practical means of control.

This fact was reported by the Commission of Plant
Sanitation to the Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce and Labor,
and the decree against the coconut disease was the result.

The Commission of Plant Sanitation designated one Ins-
pector to visit all the coconut groves in the Baracoa district,
to register all the diseased forms and to counsel the owners of
these places how to treat the diseased trees. Copies of the decree
against the coconut budrot are distributed to the people and
edicts, are posted in numerous conspicuous places.

After a reasonable time the Inspector will revisit the various
farms to note the progress of the work, and to note if everybody
has complied with the regulations. In ease the Inspector finds
that the regulations have not been complied with, this fact will
be communicated to the Commission of Plant Sanitation and

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CENTRO

2

A

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ean : z

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This map of the city of Havana shows the presence of the Black Fly,
each black dot representing many infections.

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96 oN 931d

79

by them to the Secretary where steps will immediately be taken
to enforce the regulations.

__ The report of the Inspector on the Coconut work, Sr. Daniel
Nicle, from August to January shows that 276 farms had been
inspected, comprising some 4,600 acres. All this area lies within
the Barrios of Sitio, Cabacu, Guiniao, Guandao, Velazquez and
Duaba, in the district of Baracoa.

‘Baracoa, the center of the Coconut industry has been the
locality for the most active work in the inspection. However, the
‘work is not to be confined to this district but will include the
whole Island.

The Inspector at Baracoa has been requested to formulate
plans and obtain estimates of the expense of maintaining a
government nursery for coconut seedlings, with the idea of pro-
viding selected seedlings to those planters who have suffered
great losses from the coconut disease.

Many planters of Baracoa have become discouraged from
planting coconuts, and have instead planted bananas and cacao,
both good crops. However, even with those crops, coconuts should
not be given up as it can be made a paying business in spite of,
this disease.

Some of the Baracoa people claim they have tried the
methods recommended by the Commission but without success.
Where this method has been a failure it has been because it was
not properly carried out. The essentials of the methods of control
of the coconut budrot as recommended by the Commission of
Plant Sanitation are as follows:

(1) The diseased coconut trees must either be destroyed or
severely flamed in the begining of the disease, as well
as in the later stages.

(2) All the diseased trees in any locality must be so
treated.

People must not wait until a tree is dead before they decide
to cut it down. | ; ;

It must be remembered that to allow diseased trees to remain
untreated is causing a loss not only to themselves but to their

neighbor.

80

THE BANANA DISEASE AND ITS CONTROL

The disease causing such great losses in the manzano variety
of bananas in Western Cuba is called the Panama disease and
is the same as océurs in Porto Rico, Jamaica, Central America,
Trinidad and Surinam. ; a

In Cuba this disease attacks the manzano, the Johnson, or
Gros ‘Michel and the Ingles, but so far as is known does not
-attack the macho, hembra, burro, enano, and none of the morado
type.

Fortunately this disease has not yet reached: the district of
Oriente where are grown the Johnson bananas for export, but
as yet occurs only in central and western Cuba. However the
Jarge manzano plantations about Havana have suffered tremen-
dous loss.

This disease is an’ mfections one ‘and is due to a fungous
growth in the soil passing into the roots and thence into’ the
stalk. The fungus destroys the water-conducting vessels in the
trunk and rootstalk. and thus the plant suffers -from a lack of
water, The action of the fungus is not great in the new green
stalks, but as soon as the stalk approaches. maturity or sometimes
when half grown, symptoms of the disease may be-seen, if the
Jeaves turn yellow and fall away:

This fungus that causes the trouble lives in the soil as well
‘as in the plant and may be carried about in the soil on the shoes of

laborers, or on hoes, or cutlasses used in chopping down diseased

plants may become infected and carry the infection to other
‘parts, and rootstalks or suckers that are transported for planting
in other places might carry the disease with them.

‘Based upon these facts, regulations for the treatment and

control of the disease have been promulgated in the decree
against the banana disease. The recomended methods of treat-
ment are those generally practiced in sanitation as follows:

1. No diseased plants should be removed from one field to
another; neither rootstalks, nor suckers, nor leaves.

.2., No soil should be removed from an infected field. _

8. All diseased plants should be cut down. The rootstalks
and roots remaining in the ground should be covered
with quicklime.

The trunk and leaves should be cut into pieces and made
into a pile and burned.

4, All implements used in a diseased field, such as plows,

hoes and cutlasses should be disinfected before using in
a clean field.

Plate N.° 27

SS
?

pada ang

SQM

Ws
fF

\

raed

AW

ise

Young coconut tree attacked by the Budrot.

‘yorpnq eu4 £q pokorsep Woreywetd ynu0s00 esIe'T

86 oN 9F%1d

‘asvesTp vureueg 04 fq pofolysap uoreqyueid veueueg

63 oN 9F€TE

81

An Inspector of the Commission of Plant Sanitation, Sr. Er-
uesto Simonetto, was sent to the center of the diseased district at
Artemisa to report on all farms having this disease. He made a
report of all the farms, advised the farmers as to the best methods
of treatment, gave them copies of the decree and posted in
numerous conspicuous places edicts regarding the disease.

Sr. Simonetto began his work in July 1916, but in Dee. ap-
peared the Mosca Prieta in the Vedado, and owing to the scarcity
of men he was ordered to drop the banana work and take up that
of the Mosca Prieta control.

During the time that Sr. Simonetto was at work on the
banana disease he visited about 150 farms, some of which had
from 10,000 to 20,000 plants of bananas. He covered the entire
Jistrict between the following points: San Antonio de los Bafios,

‘'G@uanimar, Guira de Melena, Dagame, Cachimba, Gabriel, Arte-

misa, Cafias, Guanajay, Mangas, and Alquizar.

It is intended as soon as possible to return a man to this
work, who will see that the planters carry out the regulation of
the Commission.

The subject of remedies for this disease has been extensively
studied not only in Cuba, but also in Jamaica, Panama, Costa
Rica, Trinidad and Surinam, but up to the present no remedy
has been found. ;

As a matter of fact, owing to the nature of the disease, it is
believed that the only probable way to avoid the disease is by the
finding of some disease resistant variety or by following the re-
commendations of the Commission of Plant Sanitation.

Plate N.° 30

Cutting down diseased banana plants.

“SUTTING Io} syUNIy eULUeqd pesvesTp Jo sooetd 04 dn Suttid

TS oN 99°Td

‘syUNIy pte saaveyT vuvueq poseastp oy} SsuTUINg

oS oN 99°01TL

‘yUeTa VueUed pesvestp oy} AVM SUT}AND Ia4je SJOOI oY} JaAO OUI, Sutpvoidg

§& oN 0F¥Id

“SBuvUeg peseesTp JO Play & UT pasn squemerdut o74 SUIQOJUISIG

FE oN O28TT

83

SUMMARY

I.— The Commission of Plant Sanitation was formed by
Presidential decree on the third of July 1916.

Il. — The regulations in vigor in Cuba prohibiting import-
ation of plants from foreign countries are as
follows:

(a) Law of June of 1906, concerning the orange magott
of Mexico.

(b) Decree No. 1133, prohibiting all importation of ci-
trus plants.

(¢) Decree of July 20, 1916 prohibiting the entrance of

plants attacked by the Black Fly, especially from
the Bahama Islands, Jamaica and India.

(d) Decree prohibiting the importation of banana
plants without a certificate of their origin, and
prohibiting the introduction into Oriente of the
varieties manzano and Johnson.

Various other regulations are proposed.

III. — Regulations of foreign countries prohibiting the intro-
duction of plants from Cuba are as follows:

(a) It is prohibited to import seeds of cotton into the
United States.

(b) It is prohibited to import sugar cane into the
United States.

(c) It is prohibited to import citrus plants into the
United States.

(d) It is prohibited to import into the State of Florida
seed coconuts and plantains.

(e) It is prohibited to import into the Islands of Baha-
ma pineapple slips from Cuba.

IV. —In order to export to the United States any plants it is
necessary that they be inspected by the proper
officials and that certificates be provided.

V.— The regulations and interior rules in Cuba concerning
the transportation of plants are as follows:

(a) It is prohibited to transport plants affected by the
Mosca Prieta to any other place.

(b) It is prohibited to transfer any plants from the
infected zones of Guantanamo and Vedado with-
out a certificate. Stas

(ec) Itis prohibited to remove banana plants in a diseas-
ed condition from one field to another.

84.

(d) Prophylactic measures “for the control of the
coconut budrot are obligatory.

(e) Nurseries are forbidden to sell plants without cer-
tificates of the Commission.

VI. — The commission maintains a register of all the gardens
and nurseries which sell plants and seeds in Cuba.
FYequent imspections are made and certificates
issued to those gardens free from injurious pests.
There is also inspected all plant material arriving
into Cuba by the Post Office.

VIL — The problems to which the Commission has devoted
especial attention are as follows:

(a) In cooperation with the Experiment “Station an
inspection of the entire Island for the presence of
the citrus canker.

- (b) An energetic campaign has been waged againts the
Mosea Prieta. All of the Vedado has been sprayed
once including over 31,000 trees.

(c) A report was made. concerning the marabu problem.
(d) A ceport was made concerning a plague in the su-
gar cane at Jagiteyal.
(e) A réport was made concerning a plague in the Pa-
rana grass.
VIII. iE he work of the Commission has béen attended with
~ . good results especially by the propaganda carried
out by means of edicts, articles, and circulars.

“IX, — Almost all the work of a technical character carried out
by the Commission has been done at the laboratories
of the Estacion Agronomica.

X.— In this work is noticed the great necessity for care in the
work of inspection of plants destined to foreign
countries, and for plants introduced into this
country. - 4