CHAP. XI. | THE CONTROL OF INSEI I PESTS OF CR> 125 



control of those already present. The experience of .ill countries is 

 that ii is the imported pests which do most damage once the) 

 obtain a footing in a new country, as they increase at enormously 



rapid rates without the checks provided in their native land by 

 their various parasites and enemies which usually fail to accompany 

 them to their new settlement ; and modern rapid transit and the 

 extension ol imports to include all kinds of living plants I 

 greatly increased the danger of the introduction of living insects 

 which may become very serious pests when thus introduced ii 

 new locality. Legislation for the control of all such plant imp< 

 into India is at present under consideration and it is to be hoped 

 that we shall shortly be in a position to close our doors to such 

 undesirable aliens from overseas. 



In many countries also laws have been enacted for the 1 

 ..I indigenous pests, usually by regulation of the crops which they 

 attack oi 1>\ requiring the owner to destroy or treat infected plants 

 or areas. Dead or dying coconuts attacked by boring beetl 

 example, may be ordered to be cait and destroyed to present the 

 pest from spreading and the owner of the trees may be punished 

 if he neglects to do this, or the growing ot certain crops may he 

 prohibited at a particular timeof the year to prevent its pests being 

 carried over from one season to another. These art- practical 

 propositions, actually in use in many countries, and the time is near 

 at hand for consideration whether legislation on these lines would 

 beneficial to the general body of cultivators in India also. 



