24 INTRODUCTORY. 



yards deteriorated with odium, our orange, olive and other 

 trees ruined by scale insects, we may conclude that our Amer- 

 ican cousins are reaping the benefit of their wise legislation, 

 and that the sooner we follow their exami)le the better, 

 remembering the truth of the old proverb : ' Providence helps 

 those who help themselves.'" 



For the benefit of all interested in the warfare against insect 

 pests, positive assurance can be given of the benefits to be 

 derived from legislation against the spread of insect pests, 

 etc. ; but success can only be achieved under certain well- 

 defined conditions, as follows : 



FiTBi — The appointment of a Commission, each member of 

 which is required to have a thorough experience of the best 

 established methods used in preventing the spread of and in 

 exterminating the insect pests, and sustained in the perform- 

 ance of their duties by well-considered laws. 



Second — Adequate compensation to secure competent offi- 

 cers. 



Third — The appointment of officers to execute the laws of 

 the State and such regulations as are made by the Commis- 

 sion ; said officers to be in all respects competent to perform 

 the duties required, especially being thoroughly acquainted 

 with the science of entomology. 



A Commission and officers appointed under such conditions 

 cannot fail to benefit the State tenfold the amount expended. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Disinfection of Return Packages versus Free Packages. 



During the months of April, ^Nlay, and Juno, 1882, there 

 arose considerable discussion amongst the fruit growers who 

 were selling their fruit in local markets, as to the utility of 

 disinfecting packages in which fruit was shipped to market 

 before the packages were reshipped to the orchards for further 

 use, as required by the quarantine rules, etc. Had the settle- 

 ment of the question been left entirely to the fruit growers, the 

 matter would liave been amicably arranged, and successful 



