230 



the destruction of all ferns in the area as far as possihle, which 

 were cut and burned ; thereafter the ground cover was either 

 fired or poisoned as far as possible to destroy crawling weevils, 

 which might have escaped the initial treatment, and every vestige 

 of fern plant on which the beetle could subsist: and an artificial 

 barrier of crude oil was laid to contain the insect. At the same 

 time an investigation was made of the weevil's history, habits, 

 cyclical development, etc., which had not previously been done, 

 although the weevil has been known in the islands fifteen years. 

 This work has occupied the division almost exclusively during 

 the remainder of the year. The routine work of advising in 

 regard to agricultural and stock pests, maintenance of collec- 

 tions, etc., however, has been adequately attended to. 



Plant Inspection. 



The work performed by the Chief Plant Inspector and his as- 

 sistants during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, consisted of 

 the follov.'ing: 



1. The inspection of all fruit, plants and vegetables shipped 

 from Honolulu to all ports of the other islands for the purpose 

 of preventing the spread of any pest existing on Oahu to the 

 adjacent islands. Honolulu being the only port of entry for for- 

 eign plants and plant products, it follows that injurious insects 

 and diseases will first become established on Oahu. 



2. The inspection of all fruit, plants and vegetables com- 

 ing into the Territory by mail, freight or baggage from foreign 

 countries and the mainland of the United States, to prevent the 

 introduction of pests and plant diseases liable to become injurious 

 to the various agricultural industries of these islands. 



During the past fiscal year there arrived at Honolulu, Hilo 

 and Kahului, the only ports in the Territory w^ere fruit or vege- 

 tables enter directly and at which places local inspectors are sta- 

 tioned, 884 vessels. Of these, 356 carried vegetable matter con- 

 sisting of 254,502 packages of fruit and vegetables and 7,560 

 packages of plants and seeds. Of this amount, 463 packages 

 were fumigated on account of infestation of various kinds or as 

 a precaution ; 880 packages were burned on account of infesta- 

 tion or being contraband; and 517 packages were returned to 

 the original shipper as contraband and unmailable. 



In addition to the regular steamers; all tramp steamers touch- 

 ing at Honolulu for fuel and supplies were boarded and inspected 

 for vegetable matter. Particular attention w^as given to those 

 coming via the Panama Canal and other tropical countries in 

 order to prevent the escape of possible pests carried on plants or 

 vegetable supplies in transit. Notices and copies of federal and 

 territorial quarantine laws are furnished to the proper ofiicials of 

 these ships in order that they may be able to take the proper 

 precautions against bringing undesirable insects and plant diseases 

 into the Territorv. — ■ 



