The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-03-23
MaIabar From South Is
Found infected and
Burned.
The Stringent Laws Which Are
Enforced in Java to Fight
the Fatal Enemy.

At a recent meeting of the Legisla-
tive Agricultural Committee and rep
resentatives from the various CONNER
cial organizations of the Islands let
ter of Mr. Hedemann, bearing on the
sugar cane pests rampant in Java was
read, in which vivid picture was
drawn of the destructive nature of the
scourge termed "Sereh.' This disease
is one, which, according to Mr.. Hede-
mann who has recently returned from
the East Indies. threatens the entire
sugar industry of Java. 1t has neces-
STATED laws governing the planting of
cane in certain districts of that island,
whereby such crop can only occupy the
lands for one year our of three. To
quote Mr.. Hedemann: after this first
crop is taken off every root and vestige
of plant must be removed from the soil
before it is turned over to rice or other
crops"
Director C. F. Eckart, of the Plant
ers' Experiment Station, said yester-
day:
"Sereh is a disease which has not as
yet obtained foothold on the Hawai-
ian Islands, but it is one the introduce
ton of which is to be feared unless a
most rigid quarantine and inspection
law is passed to protect the agricul-
tural interests of this Territory. AL
though it is not generally known, the
fact that this disease has not appeared
and spread on Hawaiian cane fields, to
add to the ravages of such pests as
the borer and leaf-hopper, may prob
ably be attributed to Professor Koebele.
In 1900 an excellent variety of cane,
termed Malabar, was brought to this
country from Fiji and planted at the
Experiment Station grounds. The seed
cane when planted had a perfectly
healthy appearance, came up, grew
well, and at first was full of promise.
After a number of months the tops of
the canes died, the eyes along the stick
began to sprout and form branches,
and the cane became pronouncedly dis
eased. Professor Koebele, on being
called in to inspect the cane in ques- |
ton, found these abnormal conditions
to resemble the symptoms of 'Sereh. |
which disease had been observed by
him in Java. The whole plat of cane
before the disease had sufficient oppor- /
tunity to spread. This illustration but ,
emphasizes the extreme value of a
competent entomologist and
plant pathologist in the employ of the
Territory.
1T is evident that rigid laws for the
inspection of all plants and plant prod
uce, entering these islands, are inn
perative in a country so entirely de-
pendent upon it's agricultural resources.
Not only must importations of vege-
table produce be examined for injurious
pests and diseases. but such safeguard
should be supplemented by inspection,
from time to time of orchards and
fields where conditions may be found
by an entomologist, warranting prompt
and radically protective measures
against the spread of existing serious
pests and diseases. These laws are eff
carried out in other countries
less dependent upon agriculture than
Hawaii, and the vital Importance of
such steps is now fully realized in all
agricultural communities. !.
LAWS OF JAVA
The ordinances of Java to meet this
disease follow: B
Regulations for the fighting of the
sereh disease in Java. established by {
resolution of the Governor-GeneraI the
9th of February. 1902:
Art. 1. 1. In the Territory compris- 1
ng the Residentie 'Preanger Gegent-
'chappen," the department Buitnezorg !
If The Residentie Batavia and the de-
oartments Koeningan and Galoek of
he Resideptie Cheribon, all importa-
ion of sugar cane and seed (tops) is
prohibited. entirely irrespective of their
,rigin. L
?. The Governor-General can grant
of this prohibitive law. III
Art. II. 1. The Heads of the pro-
Tincial government in Java and Ma IL
ioera, with the exception of those of !
he ''Vorstenlanden," are authorized for {
hose regions of their respective dis I
riots. where il shall be required ac- I
.ording to their judgment. to protect {
he cultivation of planting material in 5