The herald., 1897-02-20
THE OUNCE OF PREVENTION
NEEDED

| NEEDED
One of the most serious features with
regard to the importation of foreign fruit
| is that dangerous pests are likely to be
introduced to the injury of our home
product. A notable example of this kind
is the risk which the California citrus
fruit growers are running at the present
time of an invasion of the Morelos or
ange worm.
In several provinces of Mexico this
worm has taken possession, to the al
most complete ruin of the crop. The
insect lays its egg inside the fruit, where
it matches to a worm, without any evil
dence of disease showing externally on
the fruit A pest which conceals itself
within the fruit is more disastrous to the
whole industry than one which shows to
the eye, as it destroys confidence in the
entire output To show how thoroughly
this worm does business, we may state
that in one importation a little over so
per cent of all the oranges were found
to contain well-developed specimens.
There are two ways in which these
worms might make their way to this
ooast-one by direct importation of the
fruit, which is not improbable, as Mex
lean oranges are occasionally brought
here, and another by the eggs or cocoons
being hidden in the empty cars which are
sent to California after having done SER
vice on some Mexican line. 1t is, in
deed, only question of time, If these
Mexican importations continue, when
the Morelos worm will get a foothold in
California, and whenever it comes some
or all of the orange growers are bound
to suffer.
The attention of the department of ag-
riculture was recently called to the fact
that these worm bearing oranges were
coming into the United States by the
carload, and Secretary Morton was urged
to bring the evil to an end. The Sec
retary answered the appeal by the state
ment that under existing laws govern
ing fruit quarantine the department had
no power to stop such importations. He
advised that the orange growers secure,
If possible, the adoption of law which
should clothe the agricultural depart
ment with the necessary power to turn
back the infected, or even the sus-
pected, fruit when 1t appeared upon the
border.
Upon this the citrus fruit growers
turned to Mr.. McLachlan, who repre-
sents this district, and asked his assist
ance or advice about the procuring Of
such an act as would cover the needs of
the case. In letter recently received
in this city Mr.. McLachlan states that
he has conferred with the agricultural
department about the worm. and that
they say there is nothing needed at pres
ent, as it has not yet put in an appear
ance in California. Mr.. McLachlan goes
on to state that while it is too late to do
anything this session, there is prospect
that bill covering the desired ground
will be presented to the next congress.
The proposition that there is no need
of taking action as long as the pest has
not yet actually developed in California
will strike the grower in these parts as
mighty poor logic. The time to lock the
house is before the valua bles are stolen
Besides, it must not be overlooked that
there are other interests to be consid-
cred as we'll as those of the California
grower. The eastern orange consumer
has some right in the premises. No one
wishes to pay good money for wormy
fruit, and the danger to public health
from such an infection must also be
considered.
The growers of California are awake to
the danger and Will prosecute a vigor-
Gus campaign until the menace is re-
moved by the general prohibition of in
fected Mexican fruit. In the meantime,
the state authorities working under a
good quarantine law can prevent any
considerable importation of Mexican
fruit into California, and the railway
companies by careful attention to the
condition of their cars can keep the in
fection at a distance.