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them. Growers can, if they choose, keep the other pests suflB- 

 ciently in check, and be indifferent as to whether their neigh- 

 bours do so or not. One thing that it is considered should be 

 stringently dealt with is the sending or carrying of diseased or 

 insect-infested trees, plants, or fruit to or from any place out- 

 side or in the colony; such trees, plants, or fruit should be 

 seized and destroyed at owner's expense wherever found. If that 

 were done, growers would either have to destroy the pests or 

 give up the business. All disused orchards and- vineyards 

 ought to be destroyed. 



Fungoid diseases generally affect certain varieties of fruit 

 trees and vines in unfavorable situations, and are worse some 

 seasons than others. Most growers in this district do not 

 consider that it is necessary to legislate regarding them. 



With regard to inspection of orchards and vineyards, this 

 association is of opinion that there ought be an insect and 

 disease committee in each district to act in conjunction with an 

 inspector, and a consulting entomological and fungoid diseases 

 expert in Melbourne. 



It will, however, be extremely difficult to legislate effectively 

 regarding insect or other pests. Many of the proposed remedies 

 are of doubtful efficacy or involve great labour and considerable 

 expense in application. Besides, it will be difficult to compel a 

 man to do more than use certain means for the destruction of the 

 various pests, and unless done under the eye of an inspector, it 

 might be done in such a way as to do little or no good. Any 

 compulsory legislation will have to be very carefully considered, 

 if it is not to be a mere sham, or to drive many out of the fruit- 

 growing business altogether. 



Mr. J. Stkes, of the Burwood, Nunawading, and Mulgrave 

 Fruit-growers' Association, read the following suggestions re- 

 specting Prohibition of plants, and suppression of insect pests : — 



Mr. Chairman and G-entlemen: — 



At the general meeting of the Burwood, Nunawading, and Mul- 

 grave Fruit-growers' Association, I was appointed to attend this 

 Convention, and instructed to lay various resolutions, re Insect 

 Pests Bill, before you. We wish to affirm the desirability of such 

 a Bill, because unless we have legislation dealing stringently with 

 the pests, in the very near future fruit-growing will be almost an 

 impossibility ; even if some growers are willing to enter into a 

 crusade against the pest, other growers are indifferent, and will 

 not do the necessary acts, consequently those who try to clean 

 their gardens are handicapped to such an extent as to make their 



