228 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI 



at present carried out, that is, examination at the port of 

 entry, it merely touches the fringe of the subject, and in 

 the proper sense is but a very poor makeshift for securing 

 immunity against the entrance of fungus diseases into a 

 country. 



To render legislation more effectual in the case of im- 

 ported living plants, all such should, immediately on 

 arrival, be submerged for five minutes in a tank containing 

 a fungicide, the nature of which would depend on whether 

 the trees were in a resting condition or bearing foliage. 

 After this preliminary precaution the plants should be 

 placed in quarantine for at least a year. That is, they 

 should be planted in a certain place under the control of 

 a specialist, whose duty would be to spray the plants all 

 over, from time to time, more especially when in a resting 

 condition, as at this period far more drastic measures can 

 be applied with safety. By such means all superficial 

 spores would be killed. If, on the other hand, an active 

 disease showed itself, the plant should be promptly de- 

 stroyed. It seems absolutely necessary that all these pre- 

 cautions should be taken before living plants, imported 

 into a country, should be allowed to be sold and scattered 

 broadcast through the country. If once distributed, the 

 purchaser may not recognise a disease, or if he does, would 

 not in all probability promptly destroy the tree, but hope 

 for the best, until the disease became established and 

 beyond control. 



As to whether such methods will be followed remains 

 to be seen ; so far as the importation of ripe fruit, more 

 especially apples and pears, into this country is concerned, . 

 there is nothing to fear ; we are already well provided with 

 all known diseases. 



