648 ANNUAL KKPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Of especial interest was the work on the fig moth conducted last 

 year and published in November, 1912. Investigations of the life 

 history, habits, and control of this species in California have been 

 continued. 



Some important experiments have been carried on with carbon 

 tetrachlorid as a substitute for carbon bisulphid in fumigating for 

 insects. It has been shown, after numerous experiments under dif- 

 ferent conditions, that this substance can not be economically applied 

 on a large scale, but may be used to advantage for choice seeds and 

 in office rooms and dwellings. Where rooms can be made air-tight 

 and whore the use of inflammable materials like carbon bisu]])hid 

 are prohibited or are undesirable, this substance could be used very 

 generally, since it is not dangerous to man in any way. Its expense, 

 however, is such as to prevent its very general use. It would, in 

 fact, be an ideal fumigant under these conditions were it not that it 

 costs three times as much as bisulphid of carbon. 



The broad-bean weevil has become established in California and 

 in the East, and is spreading. Its distribution in the United States 

 and abroad and its supposedly poisonous nature have been investi- 

 gated, and germination tests of infested seeds have been made and 

 much experimental work has been done with remedies. It seems 

 that there is a possibility of the eradication of the species by coopera- 

 tion in California or by special legislation, by insisting on the prac- 

 tice of holding seeds over for two years and by the fumigation of 

 all beans arriving on the Atlantic coast. 



Investigations have been conducted on other species affecting beans, 

 peas, and cowpeas and similar seeds in storage. Some of these are 

 new, some have been introduced, and some are native to the United 

 States. 



Experiments have been carried on in the fumigation of rice mills. 

 Some firms use with success a combination of sulphur and lime. The 

 use of naphthaline as a preventive and of some adhesive substance 

 which will kill insects in the floors and then dry have been continued. 



INSPECTION WORK. 



As previously indicated, the principal inspection work done by 

 this bureau relates to the examination of the seeds, plants, and 

 fruits imported by the Department of Agriculture, and of com- 

 mercial importations consigned to dealers in Washington direct or 

 in bond. No less than 1,039 lots of seeds and plants imported by 

 this department have been carefully inspected — sometimes twice, 

 once on receipt by the department and again before distribution. 

 Many of these lots have been held in quarantine, and to safeguard 

 against the introduction of dangerous insects a number of them 

 have been destroyed. The bureau was advised of some 60 com- 

 mercial importations during the year, and these were inspected. 

 There was also a shipment of about eS,000 ornamental flowering cherry 

 trees, sent as a gift to this city from the city of Tokyo. These trees 

 were examined individually with great care and Avere found to be in 

 perfectly healthy condition as regards insect attack. 



It has been necessary also, as in the past, to inspect all local living 

 plant stock shipped from the District, inasmuch as there is no other 

 means for such inspection, and the laws of surrounding States require 

 inspection and certificate as a condition of entry. 



