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numbers in the Agricultural Building as to cause very general alarm 
among the exhibitors of agricultural products. Correspondence was had 
with the Division, and specimens sent by one of the State commission- 
ers all proved to be well-known species already existing in this country. 
Early in October a meeting of the State executive committee was 
called at which the subject of the distribution of insect-infested grain 
was Seriously considered. The immediate cause of this discussion was 
due to the discovery of a large number of the common Rice Weevil 
*(Calandra oryze) in the show cases of some of the State exhibits in 
the immediate neighborhood of the section devoted to the South Ameri- 
can countries. The extreme abundance of the weevils in the exhibi- 
tion cases referred to, which were so tight as to be nearly weevil-proof 
and covered with glass, makes it highly improbable that they were intro- 
duced in any foreign exhibits, but indicates that they were brought 
in an immature state in the grain from the States in whose exhibits 
they were found. The fact that the exhibitors or persons in charge 
of these exhibits protested with one accord that ‘the weevil” was 
unknown in their respective States counts for naught, since it is a 
well-established fact that this particular species is of common oecur- 
rence in every State and Territory in the Union. 
At the meeting of the State commissioners referred to, a special com- 
mittee was appointed to further investigate the matter and take such 
steps as should be found necessary. An expert report was also 
demanded, but, so far as could be learned, nothing whatever was done, 
nor was any attention paid to the circular letter which was sent out a 
day or two after this meeting by Mr. Buchanan. Of this letter, which 
was addressed to the commissioners of the various States and foreign 
countries having exhibits in the Agricultural Building, the following 
is a transcript: 
To the Commissioner for ; 
Agricultural Building : 
DEAR SiR: In order that there may be no possible danger of the introduction 
into this and other countries of the insect that has been found in the grains of sev- 
eral countries and States in the Agricultural Building, you are urgently requested 
to promptly carry out the following: 
(1) Take immediate steps to have destroyed in the garbage crematory all grain 
in which the insect is found. Janitors will be instructed to take the grain you 
designate to the crematory if you so desire. 
(2) Stop at once giving away or receiving samples of wheat, corn, oats, and other 
erains in which the insect works. Printed notices will be placed in the building 
cautioning visitors against taking away any samples of such grains. 
(3) Seal all jars that contain wheat or other grain that attracts the insects. | 
(4) Make daily examinations of your exhibit and in every instance where the 
insectsis found follow instructions in paragraph No. 1. 
It is highly important that this be given your immediate attention, 
Very respectfully, yours, 
W. I. BUCHANAN, 
Chief Department of Agriculture. 
