The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-11-12

yeuing substance becomes fihrous and
worthless, having when cooked disa-
greeabe taste.
There seems to be a difference, how
ever, In the progress OF the disease in
different localities, or perhaps in different
varieties OF taro.
In some cases the rot seems to start at
one point and advance steadily until ttie
whole tLber Is affected The gu siion
seems thus TO remain an open Ole
whether the rot is due to specific cause,
l. E., the invasion OF specific parasitic
fungus, or whether il is the result OF
loss OF vitality in the plant from some
other cause, the fungi developing during
its progress being only accidental con-
comilants OF the disease. This is like
the question, regarded by some as still
unsettled, whether consumption is
caused by the tubercle bacillus, or
whether that is mere accompaniment
oil diseased condition of the tissues
The disease appears 10 be GER
planted on new ground and the
infected patches, the disease does not
commonly attack it the first year; gen
orally it does so the following season.
Taro from hulis taken from infected
patches, however, it is said, sometimes
escapes, at least the first year when
planted on new ground, but this is be-
lieved 10 be the exception.
Frequently the disease attacks one
part only of a patch, or one part more
severely than the rest, and it is noticea-
BILE in contiguous patches sometimes
that the corresponding sidein each suffers
more, as though climatic causes had
pronounced effect.
That infection is carried through the
air az we'll as through the mud and
water of the taro patch, is evidenced by
the continuous extension Of the disease
| from valley to valley, although it has
| doubtless been often carried from valley
| to valley by exchanges OF hulis.
| J hese somewhat disconnected facts
and observations | lay before your COM
mittee for what they are worth. The
subject is one which requires careful sci
entific study, and this cannot be given it
in a week, or perhaps in months or years.
That the disease is caused by a para
site fungus, like the rot of the potato, is
altogether probable, and study should be
made by an expert mycologist OF speci-
mems of the diseased portions of the
plant. L have preserved specimens
which might be the basis for at least a
preliminary examination.
Several remedies have been tried in
an empirical manner, none giving very
encouraging results. Lime has been ap.
piled, apparently with no beneficial Ell
fects. Kerosene oil is said to have ap.
peared to do some good at first, but tc
lose its efficacy later. In some places ii
was believed that the disease was hello
in check by keeping the patches or
scant allowance of water in the earlier
months after planting. However, the
experiments have been carried on in {
desultory and unsystematic manners gen
orally under an untensble hypothesis al
to the cause of the disease.
The evil is one of such magnitude, an(
: which so vitality affects the interests o
the native Hawaiian people, that tn,
Government should carry cut, even a
! considerable expenditure of money, th,
, work begun in the appointment of you
, committee. All the facts as observed b.
taro growers throughout Hawaii ne
should be collated and carefully sifted
,, The experience of taro growers in infect
ed districts should be gathered, negativ
, results as regards preventive or remedial
,, measures being OF quite as much impor
lance as positive. If it should be foun
that the disease has disappeared sponta
, neously in any locality, the exact fact
should be ascertained if possible, and a
the conditions connected with such dis
appearance carefully recorded.
The question of remedy should b
! made a subject of intelligent, systemati
experiment. 1t is true that the probleI
l is not likely to be easier to handle tina
, that of the cure of the potato rot, who's
ravages go on still after half century {
continuous experimental study. Still
encouraging progress has been made i
1 this case and the results reached rende
it possible FOR the American farmer
; reckon his potato crop profitable and
!, reasonably sure one. All remedies ths
have proved serviceable in combattin
potato rot and similar diseases should b
y submitted to careful trial for tn
, scourge. Experiment should also |
II made to ascertain whether upland tai
> is liable to be attacked, and if not, after
ton should be turned TO the increase
cultivation of this variety
Il Respectfully submitted,
, A. r. LYONS.
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