The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-03-18
THE WAR
ON PESTS
Perkins Explains Work
Of Entomology
Division.

Agriculture and Forestry Wednesda,
afternoon Professor X. l.. c. Perkins
the Territorial entomologist, outlines
the work already accomplished by hi,
department and also what it hopes to
do
Prof. Perkins says the chief work OF
the economic entomologists of these is
lands may be divided into two parts.
G) The prevention of the importation
of injurious insects or plant diseases
from other countries. Co The de-
struction of injurious insects already
present in the islands
Mr. Perkins says that he has often
wondered that while means were con-
stantly employed to reduce the inju-
rious insects already here, yet nothing
was done to keep out harmful pests
The injurious insects of today" he
says; ARE not those of twelve years ago,
but more recent inportatons.
1T is also equally certain that of these
more recent importations, a very large
proportion, at any rate, might have been
kept out of the country, had there
been constantly an efficient inspecting
entomologst. 1t is not that inspection
has not been made in the past, but that
it has OF necessity been performed by
those who have been without the en-
genealogical knowledge necessary to
make it efficient Even with the most
rigid inspection some new injurious
species, sooner or later, cannot be kept
out. In the last eighteen
months of four or five consignments of
plants, sent with certificate, declaring
them to be free from injurious insects,
four were found to be infested with
very injurious species. Two of these
consignments indeed, brought insects.
which had they been specially imported
to damage this country, could hardly
have been better chosen
1T may be thought that the introduc-
ton of injurious insects into this coun-
try might be prevented by indiscrimin-
ate treatment of all plants introduced
This, however, is impossible or mad
visable for two reasons. (a) A number
of injurious insects cannot be certainly
killed by any method of treatment with
out destroying the plant. CD Some
valuable plants in their natural condi-
ton, and many when weakened by a
long journey, will not stand the treat
ment necessary to kill insects, present
or suspected Therefore critical exan-
ination is necessary, and if insects,
which cannot certainly be destroyed by
treatment of the plants are present, the
plants must be destroyed by fire or
otherwise.
AT the present time | am personally
examining all large consignments of
plants Cat least those from more danger
Gus localities whenever possble), leav-
ing inspections of minor Importance to |,
one OF my assistants. This plan is
adopted because from long residence |
am naturally familiar with practically
all the species OF insects of economic
Importance, in these islands, and gen
orally with their distribution over the
several islands. For this reason l am
able to judge whether treatment is
necessary or whether plant can safely
be admitted without treatment, while it
would be impossible for comparative
stranger to decide such point in the
majority of cases. Unnecessary treat
ment, which, when a plant is already
after a voyage, may easily
prove fatal, is to be avoided, and it is
polite that the public who import val
liable plants, often at great expense,
should feel assured that their importa-
lions are not subjected to treatment
without due cause.
AS | propose shortly to prepare
bulletin on the subject of insects I'M
ported into these islands, during the
last eighteen months, il is unnecessary,
at present to refer further to this sub
ect.
(2) The destruction of injurious
insects already present
There are two methods by which this
may be attained, (a) By artificial
means, or CD By the aid of natural
enemies OF the injurious species. When
ever possible the latter method is far
preferable, The use of the former,
hough in some cases necessary, is
equivalent to confession of ignorance
Oh the part of the entomologist, or at
east of inability TO apply his knowledge
Still to some extent it is necessary
o use various kinds of liquids, in the
form of sprays, and we advise the use
IF such in special cases, and at cost
,rice properly made standard
-emedies have been furnished TO those
lsking for them Most of the injurious
necessary are ones of minor economic
Importance, anu WHICH 10 llOl CAUSE SUI
icient loss to make it worth while send
ng TO other countries for natural enc
MES. The two obvious disadvantages
If artificial remedies are, firstly, they
re costly and have to be regularly APP
lied, year after year, or at even shorter
Secondly. they are wholly in
applicable against the majority OF our
most injurious species,
"As matters stand, there has always
zen in the islands some question Of
reat economic importance involving
Nrge money interests confronting the
and minor ones have TO
Ike their chance Of being settled in
|denlally 10 this Al the present time
pnr most important problems await
button. and these probably can only be
tempted one az time,
"The Division OF Entomology, under
BE- Board of Commissioners was so
|lnSiiluled that Two of is members
|lould visit other countries In company,
s.arah al l.u,ngtal ius.at.H ...ll.