22 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



with hydrocyanic gas under Government supervision 

 must accompany such fruit before it can be admitted, we 

 reserving to ourselves the right of inspection, even if the 

 fruits are so accompanied. In the case of bananas and 

 other soft fruits, which could not be so treated, each con- 

 signment must bear a certificate to the effect that it has 

 left the port of shipment in a clean condition. The 

 general improvement in the fruit imported (except in the 

 case of citrus fruits from New South Wales) is very 

 marked, especially with citrus fruits from the continent. 

 In view of the danger which exists of introducing on 

 trees new diseases into the colony, a cyanide chamber has 

 been erected at the Horticultural Gardens, Burnley, to 

 which all imported trees are sent, and there treated for 

 one hour. Owing to the distance of this chamber from 

 Melbourne, it is found that the importer has to put up with 

 much inconvenience by having to send his trees there to 

 be treated. The Board is of opinion that a disinfecting 

 plant erected at some place more convenient to the port 

 of landing would be more advisable. This treatment of 

 trees has been found by experience to be very fatal to 

 all insect life, especially, and if properly managed, without 

 injury to the plants. In the retail fruit trade there is yet 

 much to be done. We think that a systematic inspection 

 of fruit shops and markets should be made. A large 

 amount of inferior fruit is offered to the public in these 

 places ; and, although such fruit is not necessarily 

 diseased, it is much below the standard of what should 

 be expected in Victoria. 



The use of old and second-hand cases is much to be 

 deprecated, and, as these are undoubtedly the means of 

 disseminating disease, the importance of this matter 

 cannot be overrated. All cases before being used a 

 second time should be thoroughly disinfected, and cases 

 not disinfected should be destroved. Each grower should 

 possess the necessary means of dipping his cases, accord- 

 ing to clauses 7 and 9 of the regulations. 



