38 DISSEMINATION OF PARASITIC FtJiTGt 



considerable and may be expected to remove some of the weaknesses indicated 

 above. It is unfortunately true that a Convention, once signed, cannot be 

 altered, but the same procedure will probably be followed as in the Berne 

 Convention of 1879, dealing with Phylloxera of the vine. In this case the 

 modifications indicated by experience were incorporated in a new Convention 

 bearing the date 1881. 



If, therefore, the Convention is regarded as being primarily concerned 

 with the control of inter-state circulation of plants ; if wild plants 

 from neighbouring areas are excluded from its scope ; if the clauses which 

 require that the stock to be exported should be in a satisfactory sanitary 

 condition and that the Government service should supervise nurseries and 

 take steps to prevent or check diseases, are broadly interpreted ; and if the 

 Government service is a good one ; then I think there are obvious advantages 

 in adhering to it, while pressing for the modifications suggested above and 

 any others that may become evident in the next year or two in the working 

 of the system in those countiies that have already ratified it and set up the 

 necessary machinery. To keep India free from the diseases of economic plants 

 of importance, the Convention is only a first step, but after a few 5^ears' 

 experience and as soon as other countries have established the organisation 

 required if they wish to adhere, there seems to be a good prospect of a 

 much more efficient control of the dissemination of fungus dit-eases to distant 

 countries, than has ever been thought possible in the past. 



PusA, 

 July mh, 1916. 



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