50 



Other illustrations occur: a package of seeds of Erythroxylon 

 coca were sent from Cuba to Wasiiogton. Tlie seeds were not 

 removed from the fruit ibut this was picked fresh from the bushes 

 and packed in a sawdust for shipment. The bushes and the 

 fruits were absolutely healthy. On their arrival in Washing- 

 ton the fruit had somewhat 'dried and moulded. The inspector 

 found on the fruit species of Gloeosporimn and of Pestalozzia. 

 Now some species of these fucoigi do cause harm and whether these 

 particular ones were causimg any harm to the fruits in .Cuba, the 

 Inspector could not say, therefore to make sure of not introduc- 

 ing any pests, he ordered the fruits to be planted in the quaran- 

 tine greenhouse or returned to the shippers, and as there was no 

 room for planting, they were returned, notwithstanding the fact 

 that they had toeen shipped clean. 



During the past summer a large number of avocado seeds 

 were shiipped to the United States. Many of them arrived at their 

 destination entirely rotted due to the action of fungi, but these 

 shipments were not rejected by the Inspector because it was 

 known to him that this sort of rot was common and was not due 

 to a disease whieh would affect the seedling avocado or the grow- 

 ing plant. 



'These examples illustrate some of the difficulties encountered 

 and the necessary for care in inspection of various crops. 



TEOHNICATj work of THE OOMMTSSION 



Strictly speaking the only technical work of the 'Commission 

 is confined to the testing of various spraying apparatus amd 

 mixtures for luse with them. Spraying is not much 'practiced 

 in Cuba, and probably for that reason a good class of spray 

 pump is difficult to find here. There are for sale pumps of 

 various sizes and kinds, buteket pumps, knapsaok sprayers, small 

 tank machines and 'barrel pumps. It would really seem desirable 

 that the Comimission have on exhibition in their office various 

 kinds of spraying machinery, to show to people interested in 

 this thing. 



Aside from the important work of the Commission in the 

 control of certain serious ipests, it would seem 'desirable, that 

 there actually be undertaken some demonstration work, illustrat- 

 ing the advantages to 'be 'gained by spraying and showing the 

 best kinds of apparatus and those suitable for various types of 

 work. 



