266 



" This island was clear of insect pests until some time in ' 

 1858 or 1859, when a vessel was brought here in distress, with a 

 cargo of oranges, which were sold at auction, and the fruit was 

 carried all over the island, and in a few months our flourishing 

 trees were covered with an insect which gave the trees the 

 appearance of being whitewashed. This insect fed on the bark 

 of the tree, extracting the yellow sap therefrom and causing the 

 bark to curl up. Every device thought of was tried, but the 

 island was soon cleared of nearly every tree. All this came from 

 the distress cargo." 



When we import a useful plant from another country, it is 

 almost sure to be attacked by some of our own insects, and if at 

 the same time we import its natural enemies, and these increase 

 abnormally as desci-ibed above, it is easy to see that we are placed 

 in a position of great disadvantage, so much so, that even though 

 soil and climate are favourable, we cannot hope to cultivate the 

 new plant so successfully as it was cultivated in its own country. 



But, on the other hand, if we introduce any plant and exclude 

 its natural enemies, it will almost certainly not be attacked so 

 severely here as it was where it came from, and we are in conse- 

 quence, placed in a more favourable position for cultivating it 

 (always assuming a suitable soil and climate) than those who 

 raised it in its native countiy. The more the plant in question 

 differs from any of our native jilants, the more is this likely to be 

 the case, because there are less likely to be insects here ready to 

 attack it. 



It is not proposed in the present article to discuss the 

 measures which should be taken to prevent the introduction of 

 pests ; whether there should be a government quarantine, or the 

 matter should be left to the public spirit and good sense of 

 private individuals. It would undoubtedly be a matter involv- 

 ing a certain amount of trouble and expense, to inspect all im- 

 ported plants and rid them of insects, but when it is considered 

 that a few shillings thus spent to-day, may save us from a pest 

 which would cause the loss of perhaps hundreds of pounds an- 

 nually for an indefinite number of years, the subject appears to 

 deserve serious consideration. No doubt, as in the case of human 

 maladies, there will be an occasional leaping of the bounds in 

 spite of much care, but that is no reason for utter recklessness. 



Importing the Enemies of Coccid.e. 



As a general principle, it is extremely unwise to disturb the 

 balance of nature. The importation of new animals, whether 

 mammals, insects, or what not, is a risky business, very generally 

 attended with unfortunate results, as we in Jamaica have ex- 

 cellent reason to know. But when we have already upset 



