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appropriation has thus far permitted. For reasons explained in 

 previous reports, it was found impracticable to undertake sys- 

 tematic spraying with poisoned bait solution in conjunction wath 

 that of "clean culture" until the Territory was reasonably assured 

 of financial assistance from Congress. This combination method 

 of combating the pest, other than on experimental lines, was 

 therefore not possible until last May, at which time assurances 

 were received that the Congressional appropriation asked for 

 would probably be granted. Unfortunately circumstances of a 

 political nature at Washington, D. C, have temporarily stalled 

 several of the large appropriation bills now before Congress, in 

 one of which our item is included. It is expected, however, that 

 these bills will have favorable attention before adjournment of 

 Congress during August. In the meantime the departure from 

 Washington of the representative (Dr. Back) of the U. S. Bureau 

 of Entomology has been indefinitely postponed. Advices re- 

 ceived by me from the Chief of the Bureau state that Dr. Black 

 will leave just as soon as Congress finally passes the appropriation 

 bills referred to. 



Many complaints have been made regarding the peculiar con- 

 dition affecting a very large percentage of mango fruits this sea- 

 son. In the earlier part of the season it was supposed that this 

 condition, which is one of decay whilst on the tree, was due to 

 attack of the Mediterranean fruit fly. It soon became apparent 

 that this latter part had nothing wdiatever to do with the matter 

 nor was this particulai' form of rottenness caused by a fungus 

 disease, as originally suspected. Special breeding experiments 

 with this class of rotted fruit were undertaken in the laboratory, 

 the result being that no fruit fly was bred from same, but in every 

 such case it has been found that the seed was attacked by the 

 mango weevil, which, it appears, is exceedingly prevalent through- 

 out Honolulu this season. The attack of the weevil in the fruit 

 undoubtedly brings about fermentation and the subsequent rot- 

 tenness complained of. These facts have been corroborated by 

 the U. S. Experimental Station, to the Director of which my 

 thanks are due for courtesies rendered. 



The insular conditions of infestation remain the same, Hilo, 

 Puna and Kau on the Island of Hawaii being the only districts 

 in wdiich the fruit fiy has not yet been observed. From personal 

 observations, as well as from information received, I am led to 

 believe that the inspection conducted by our island neighbors on 

 the arrival of steamers from infested ports has not been as effi- 

 cient as it should have been if it was intended to keep the pest out. 

 There are, however, reasonable excuses to ofifer for such a state 

 of affairs, the principal ones being the lack of funds to pay a suffi- 

 cient force of efficient inspectors at the many terminal and way 

 ports touched by our inter-island steamers and the absence of 

 necessary legislation making it legallv possible to search the pas- 

 senger and his baggage when embarking on or disembarking from 



