PART IT.
Mr. RITCHIE observed that of course, one might get considerable
leaf cast due to debility and with no Hemileia present.
Mr. SIMPSON said that in regard to coffee cultivation, Uganda
was divided into two distinct zones—those at an altitude of from
5,000 to 6,000 feet, where Arabica was grown, and the lower arcas at
about 4,000 feet where Robusta now was being grown. They were
now returning the natives to the Sesse Islands, whence they had been
removed owing to the incidence of sleeping sickness, and those islands
were now being developed agriculturally entirely as areas for the
growing of Robusta coffee.
THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) was much concerned in regard to
the possibility of the spread of Stephanoderes hampei from Uganda,
and asked if Uganda was making any attempt to prevent such spread
to new districts, and, if so, if they entertained any hopes of being
successful. He hoped that the Entomological Section of the Confer-
ence would discuss the question of preventive measures in regard to
the spread of this coffee pest in East Africa.* He expressed his
appreciation of the valuable paper which Mr. Maitland had just read.
Mr. HARGREAVES said that in Uganda, Stephanoderes hampei
occurred in all coffee areas, and it had recently appeared in the Elgon
district. = He was doubtful whether it would be possible to exercise
complete control over this pest, and it appeared probable that in the
long run it would spread into Kenya in the Elgon area. The incidence
of attack seemed to be somewhat reduced in cases of Robusta coffee.
He did not think that there was any danger of introduction of the pest
from seeds. if they were properly inspected and fumigated.
Mr. ANDERSON said that in Kenya they were much concerned
with regard to the spread of this pest from Uganda, particularly in
view of the fact that coffee cultivation on the eastern slopes of Mount
Elgon was developing rapidly.
Mr. HARGREAVES was afraid that they could hold out little
hope that the pest would not spread.
THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) asked if they were considering if
it were possible to assist, by artificial means, parasites to render
natural control of this pest.
Mr. HARGREAVES thought, personally, that the damage done
by Stephanoderes hampei on Arabica coffee would, to some extent, be
reduced if a small percentage of Robusta trees were planted among
the Arabica. This was merely a theory of his own, and it had not yet
been tested. An experiment for this purpose had been commenced.
In reply to Mr. Holm, Mr. Hargreaves further stated that he had
been endeavouring for six years to obtain data of use in devising
control measures for the pest, but so far he had been unable to evolve
a successful method.
Mr. Kirby then proposed a vote of thanks to Messrs. Trench and
Maitland for their excellent papers.
¥ See Part IV., Chapter III.
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