The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-03-19


Fumigated and passed -. 35 45
Burned -. ..... s 10
Dipped in Bordeaux, as
paragus roots, for rust. 2
Total examined -. .421 1898
All the burned articles hailed from
the Orient. Five were oranges brought
by japanese immigrants and FIVE were
vans from China infested with per-
nicious fungus.
In the majority of eases the gas was
administered to imported plants as a
precaution against possible pests. No
table among them were four small
sacks of cotton seeds. Our Federal
Experiment Station is just now hard
at work demonstrating the practicable
ity of cotton growing on these Islands.
They seem to have advanced sufficient
ly to arouse the interest of some peo-
pie, and, in order TO prevent the
scramble for seeds of choice (?) varie-
ties, imported from abroad with the at
tendant great danger of introducing
the cotton boil weevil, this warning
note is issued to the people. It should
be known that the boil weevil is the
great menace to the cotton industry in
the United States at present. While
it only infests a portion of the cotton
belt, it is destructive to the extent
of $25,000,000 annually. In other
words. the extent of its injury to cot
ton may be compared to that of our
sugar cane leaf hopper a few years
ago. It would be calamitous, there
fore, to introduce this pest just as cot
growing is beginning to promise
such satisfactory results. The cotton
seeds we fumigated came from Geor-
gia, State not yet invaded by the
weevil; nevertheless, we took the pre-
caution. Far wiser still would it be
for prospective cotton growers to Sc
cure their seed through, if not from,
the Hawaii Experiment Station. But
in any event we shall fumigate import
ed cotton seed without fall
The other ten lots fumigated were
found infested with variety of scale
bugs. none of which are desirable. In
a number of instances we were obliged
to remove soil from roots, but our ia
cilities at present for immediately
wrapping such roots in wet sphagnum
moss reduce the danger to plants SO
treated to a minimum
A passenger aboard the Korea from
the Orient on the 10Th brought pair
of South Java scorpions. Huge fel-
lows they were, and quite formidable
in appearance. The gentleman report
ed them Immediately upon arrival and
consented to have them destroyed,
which was promptly done. As is well
known. scorpions are rather useful eco
nomically in that they are wholly in
brought them kept them alive for three
months on flies and coekroaehes.
Nevertheless, they are hardly desirable
neighbors because of their poisonous
sting.
Bananas in Fiji are badly damaged
bv fruit-fiies, on which account their
importation to Hawaii is strictly pro-
hibited and the regulation strictly en-
forced. Vessels coming from the
South. however, frequently carry on
deck large quantities of bananas from
Fiji to Vancouver. Such shipments I'M
less well covered while in port are
liable to land here the pernieious lily.
A request was therefore sent to the
agents of these boats to instruct proper
officers aboard each of them to care
fully and thoroughly cover such ba-
nanas six hours before reaching port
and keep them covered until six hours
after sailing have elapsed. This re-
quest was kindly granted by the agents
in question.
- a.
tise to employ an additional assistant
on wharyes of ships bringing large
vegetable cargoes. This was found of
great assistance in dispatching the
work which means in OBTAINING perish
able goods as little as possible, while
it has insured nothing passing without
our examination. This helper IS sta
toned at the wharf exit and checks off
wagon loads in accordance with a pass
check, made out and signed by the IN
spector for articles passed.
Three local visits were made during
the month and advice issued in accord
auce with the particular circumstances.
Fear of a black appearance on foliage
was allayed by explanation of It's
origin. most of which had by then dis
appeared. The necessity of proper
pruning Of trees was also pointed out.
Scale bugs were found in the other two
places and treatment was prescribed
accordingly.
Upon the work of inspection in Hilo
during January and February, Bro. NJ.
Newell writes as follows:
"Thirteen foreign vessels came TO
anchor in Hilo Bay. Had inspections
on board of two of them; nine inspec-
lions on the wharves; and thirteen in
spections at the postofiee of forty par
cells containing many varieties of seeds,