898 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



woi'in (the larva of the meal beetle, Tenehrio molitor) which is the 

 intermediary host in the development of the worm, is now found, 

 extensively in grain stores and the lofts and bins of stables in Victoria. 



Worms in Fish. 



Worms [Filaria piscium) in fish, particularly the barracouta, were 

 very common last year, and they usually infested the body cavity. 

 Inhabiting the muscles of barracouta I found worms existing, but so 

 far I have not determined their species. 



Bitter Pit in Apples. 



During the year investigations into the causes of bitter pit in 

 ap})les were conducted, and from diseased fruit cultures of germs 

 (ibtained therein were made. 



In March last pure cultures of various germs derived from infected 

 fruit were inoculated into Rymer and Morgan's Seedling apples grown 

 on trees at Mr. Sell's orchard, Doncaster, and in the laboratory other 

 varieties — Five Crown, Cleopatra, Jonathan — were also inoculated. 

 The fruits inoculated in Mr. Sell's garden were allowed to remain on 

 the trees for 14 days before being pulled, then taken to the laboratory 

 for examination. Some of it w^as examined four days later, but no 

 macroscopic changes were observed. The remaining apples were 

 examined 45 days after inoculation, and in fruit inoculated with 

 certain cultures, patches of disease in the fruit resembling those 

 noticed in apples that contract the disease spontaneously were noticed. 

 The control fruit shewed no such changes. 



Further investigations are necessary before any definite informa- 

 tion can be announced as to the cause of the disease, and the work 

 will be prosecuted as opportunities are presented. 



Phosphorescent and Slimy Meat. 



During the year phosphorescence on meat and in butchers' shops 

 prevailed extensively in the metro])olitan area. The luminosity was 

 due to the Bacillus pflugerii, and in a lecture delivered before the 

 Butchers' Association I indicated the steps to be taken to eradicate 

 the disease. Besides touching upon phosphorescence, I dealt with 

 such subjects as sliminess on meats, the proper manufacture of brines, 

 and the abuses of preservatives in various goods. 



Sliminess is a serious trouble in factories. I had occasion to visit 

 and report upon this condition in a country bacon factory. I isolated 

 from the diseased meat, and from the brine tanks, wells and water 

 tanks an organism, identical with the Bacillus viscosus, which created 

 the trouble. By adopting certain measures the trouble can l>e got 

 rid of. 



Office Work. 



Considerable correspondence with producers iu various parts of 

 the State on technical subjects was dealt with and the matters treated 

 upon required either answering by myself or at my dictation. In this 

 connection Mr. Crate's services were found absolutely necessary as 

 otherwise the work could not have been promptly executed. 



