36 



with entomology the long list of insects intercepted (pp. 122- 

 126) is an impressive showing of what the Islands have escaped. 



At Honolulu and Hilo 991 vessels were boarded during the 

 period, and plant or other vegetable matter was found on 556 of 

 these. This shows an increase of eighty-eight vessels boarded 

 and of seventy-two vessels bearing vegetable matter over the 

 previous biennial period. During 1911 and 1912, there were 

 inspected 204.059 and 280,930 packages respectively of fruits, 

 vegetables and plants, making a total for the two years of 484.899 

 packages. As compared with the same period for 1909-1910, 

 there was shown an increase of 97,928 packages inspected. Owing 

 to the very rigid inspection by the entomological officials a very 

 marked improvement in the quality of fruits and vegetables com- 

 ing from the mainland has been noticeable. 



The tables illustrating the inspection work bring home to one 

 the large quantities of fruits and vegetables that are annually im- 

 ported, and, incidentally, are an argument for the raising of 

 more of these products locally. 



Owing to the fact that Honolulu is the main port of entry for 

 the Territory the importance of inter-island inspection is easily 

 seen as an adjunct to the general horticultural inspection, because 

 should ever any pest be accidentally introduced at Honolulu, its 

 spread to the other islands can thus be more effectively guarded 

 against, if not absolutely prevented. The thoroughness with 

 which this can be done depends on the efficiency, and conse- 

 quently on the extension, of the inter-island inspection. Recent 

 rules having to do with this matter are reprinted for the better 

 information of the public. 



FRUIT FLY PARASITE. 



In view of the recent discovery made in Africa by Dr. F. Sil- 

 vestri, the entomologist employed by the Board of Agriculture 

 and Forestry for this purpose, of a parasite for the Mediterranean 

 fruit fly, the portion of the report dealing with fruit fly control 

 will be read with greater interest. Not only has the control work 

 reduced this serious pest, but even the casual observer will have 

 no difficulty in noticing a direct improvement as to present con- 

 ditions in general, in comparison with those existing two years 

 ago. 



This goes to show that a clean culture campaign, or the clean- 

 ing up of premises, it docs not matter for what particular ])est. 

 means much to any community, and especially to Honolulu, where 

 horticultural conditions are entirely different from those of the 

 mainland. The let-alone policy that has been practiced here 

 from time immemorial has seen its day, and the more intelligent 

 classes now are beginning to realize that to enjoy the flower gar- 

 den and the fruits of the few trees in their yards they nnist ])rac- 

 tice closer supervision and adopt more of Burbank's methods, 



