9 



regard to the nature and growth of fungi, and how to destroy 

 them, and yet in every measure brought before Parliament to enact 

 legislation for the eradication of noxious insects fungi have been 

 included. 



What we want on this point is education. We are convinced 

 that an Insect Pests Bill should be introduced, which would enforce 

 united action for the destruction of noxious insect pests, but as 

 many of them 'have come from our native trees, stringent measures 

 and heavy fines should not be resorted to, especially where know- 

 ledge as to the means to destroy certain insects is wanting. 



1. The apple root-borer {Leptos Hoyrei) is one of the worst 

 we receive from wattle and gum trees, and to eradicate it at 

 a fortnight's notice cannot be done^ — it takes years to get rid of 

 it — still it is not necessary to destroy all trees which have the 

 worm, as some of my trees, treated with bisulphate of carbon 

 two years ago, are bearing fine fruit this year. 



2. The codlin moth is one of the easiest to keep in check, if 

 united action be taken to carry out the regulations to destroy the 

 insect. By no means will the codlin moth be eradicated any more 

 than the rabbits. The bandaging of the stems of the trees and 

 scraping ofE the rough bark are necessary; also destroy all props, 

 rubbish, &c., and disinfect fruit cases. If these be done, the pres- 

 ence of the moth would hardly be felt. Fruit, with codlin moth, 

 should not be allowed to be ofiEered for sale ; and fruit, which has 

 been badly affected with fungus, should not be offered for sale, 

 being almost unfit for consumption ; but the sale of fruit slightly 

 affected by fungus should not be prohibited, as more than half 

 the crop of apples and pears has traces where fungus has 

 been, and to prevent the sale of the fruit would ruin many fruit- 

 growers. 



3. The woolly-aphis, which has been known in Victoria for 

 40 years, cannot be eradicated, but may be kept down. It should 

 be exempt from the Bill. 



4. The cherry and pear slug should be destroyed. 



All regulations to prohibit the introduction of new insect pests, 

 by means of trees or fruit, are approved of. 



1. Eemedies should in most cases be enforced, and fruit- 

 growers compelled to apply them, under penalty. 



2. Eemedies cannot be so applied as to clear trees of insects in 

 a specified time, as it may take months and even years to clear 

 trees of fungi and other diseases. 



3. There are no insects known on fruit trees requiring trees to 

 be destroyed to kill the insects, but abandoned orchards should be 

 destroyed. 



4. Remedies are not always reliable ; some are too powerful 

 and destroy leaves and fruit for the season. 



