Abstract

During 1937 there was a severe infestation of Taenothrips cardamomi on most of the cardamom estates in the Bodi Hills. The planters suffered a heavy loss. Some of them appealed to the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Madura for help early in 1938 In response to their request, the author was deputed to investigate this pest. This opportunity was taken to study cardamom cultivation as practised in these areas and the study continued as and when opportunities occurred. The materials gathered are summarised below. Cardamom-(Elettaria Cardamomum, Maton) is a valuable spice. The plants are found growing luxuriantly in a wild state in elevated sheltered areas, scattered in the thick humid ever green shola regions of the Western ghats, with an annual rainfall ranging from 100 to 150 inches. There are only limited areas satisfying the above conditions and these are confined to the Western ghats in parts of Mysore, Coorg, Cochin, Travancore and Madras Presidency. According to an official estimate the total area under carda- moms in South India is about 86,134 acres but there are reasons to believe that the area is at least 100,000 acres.

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