253 



attached to the roots of plants which was Hable to carry pests or 

 diseases. 



The new quarters which will soon be completed for the Divi- 

 sion of Plant Inspection near the waterfront in Honolulu will 

 greatly facilitate and increase the efficiency of plant quarantine 

 and inspection. 



The remainder of entomological work carried on during the 

 past year, by a staff composed of one entomologist and two lab- 

 oratory assistants, has consisted of introducing and propagating 

 beneficial insects, advising in regard to agricultural and stock 

 pests, and the care and upkeep of the insect collections. 



During the year just passed two important parasitic insects 

 have been introduced and established, one a small wasp-like insect 

 living at the expense of the melon fly, a serious pest of fruit and 

 vegetable gardens, the other a minute hymenopterous insect de- 

 veloping in and destroying the egg of the corn leaf hopper, the 

 worst pest of Indian corn in the Islands. These two insects have 

 been propagated in large numbers and distributed throughout the 

 Islands, and it is believed that great benefit has been derived from 

 them. The corn crop, wdiich is of such importance at the present 

 time, has been much better this year than in any previous year. 

 Meanwhile the propagating of the parasitic insects introduced to 

 control the ravages of the fruit fly and to keep down the number 

 of dung flies has been continued, and it is believed these de- 

 structive and annoying pests are in some measure controlled. 



No new lines of w^ork have been undertaken on account of the 

 difficulties of work in foreign countries during the continuance of 

 the war, but the force and equipment is in the best condition 

 possible to handle any beneficial introductions, and there are still 

 opportunities to improve the conditions surrounding agriculture 

 and stock raising by the methods which have been followed in the 

 past. 



The insect collections for reference and study have been over- 

 hauled and large accessions have been made to them, notably 

 through gifts of Commissioner W. M. Giffard, and the miscel- 

 laneous collections of field workers. During the year, among 

 other things, a study has been made of the native bees of the 

 genus species Prosopis. 



Animal Industry. 



During the past year there has been a steady progress in the 

 development of practically every class of domestic animal here 

 without the interruption or setback of drouth or, with one excep- 

 tion, of disease. The rigid inspection made by this Division of 

 all imported animals has been successful in keeping out of the 

 Territory such diseases as rabies, foot and mouth disease and 

 Texas fever which are proving such a scourge elsewhere. The 

 imports of beef and dairy cattle have been represented by indi- 

 viduals of superior merit and the beneficial effect of pure-bred 



