Most of the laws quoted give the agricultural authority discre- 
tion in the matter of prescribing the treatment to be given to 
imported plants. This might also apply to the exemption from 
treatment of certain plants considered liable to be the means ofintro- 
ducing pests or diseases, such as tomato, cabbage and other vege- 
table seeds, and ordinary flower-garden seeds, sent out by reputable 
seedsmen in Europe or America. These are put up in sealed 
packets and are not likely to introduce any pest or disease which 
would seriously aftect any of the crops in the West Indies. A pro- 
blem still to be solved is that of treating plant material intended to 
be eaten, such as sweet-potatos. The Scarabee of the sweet-potato 
(Cryptorynchus batatae) is found in most, if not all, of the islands, 
and there is little danger of serious damage resulting from itstrans- 
portation from one to another, but it affords an example of the way 
in which an insect pest might be introduced in plant material 
intended to be eaten. Another sweet-potato Weevil (Cylas formi- 
carius) is common in certain of the Southern States and in 
Jamaica. It has recently been reported as occurring in British 
Guiana. This insect sometimes occurs as a serious pest, and might 
easily be transported with the potatos to new localities. Cy/as for- 
micarius is stated to have been found in Barbados, but there is no 
evidence of its occurrence at the present time. 
The power to provide for careful inspection, and then to destroy 
plants found to be infested with pests and diseases which are not 
likely to be controlled by any available means of desinfection, is 
very useful, and might prove a means of preventing the introduc- 
tion of new or little known diseases, as well as those which are 
well known. Various Borers would come under this head. Sweet- 
potatos infested with the Borer mentioned, and fruit infected by 
the Fruit-Fly might also be included here. 
The Fruit-Fly (Ceratitis capitata) has been a serious pest in 
Bermuda, but legislation has been enacted, requiring the destruc- 
tion of all fruit in the island for two seasons, and the pest has 
been brought under control. This was accomplished under the 
provisions of the Fruit-Fly Destruction Act, 1907, which came into 
force on March Ist, of that year. 
