Coconut Diseases in New Guinea

New Guinea

VALUABLE and comprehensive . Paper on the Diseases of Coconuts in New Guinea, written by Mr. R. E. P.

Dwyer, B.Sc. Agr., the N.G. Economic Botanist, is published, with illustrations, in the April issue of the New Guinea Agricultural Gazette , just to hand.

The article presents an account of the more important fungus and physiological diseases affecting the coconut palm in the Mandated Territory, and should be of sound practical value to planters gener ally. Mr. Dwyer points out that though the aggregate losses due to fungi and soil deficiency causes may not be so noticeable as those due to insect pests, particularly the leaf-eating types, their effects are always present. One chapter of the paper deals with “nut-fall” in Fiji and the Solomons.

This issue contains also a summary by Mr. B. A. O’Connor, 8.A.. B.Sc. Agr., As sistant Entomologist, of the progress of the work done in connection with the control of the Sexava Bpp., the coconut treehopper. There are included, too, the annual reports, for the year ended June 30. 1936, by the heads of the various sec tions of the Agriculture Department entomology, botany, etc.

The Gazette which is published by the Government Printer at Canberra, is priced at 1/- per copy.