109 
Sir James Wilson, who is a member of the Board of Agricul- 
ture. Mr. Rogers will to-day give us an account of the lines 
upon which that International Parliament of Agriculture has 
recommended that action shall be taken by all Governments 
for the regulation of plant diseases, and for the promotion 
of the commerce of the world with safety and with increased 
hope for the future. I have very great pleasure in now call- 
ing upon Mr. Rogers to read his paper upon the work done 
by that Conference at Rome. 
THE INTERNATIONAL PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL CONVENTION 
OF ROME AND ITS RELATION TO TROPICAL AGRI- 
CULTURE. 
By A. G. L. Rocers, 
Board of Agriculture. 
[ ABSTRACT. ] 
(1) History of the movement in favour of international 
action for control of plant diseases. 
(2) The Congress at Rome, February-March, 1914. 
(3) Summary of draft convention of Rome. 
(4) Inadequate representation of tropical countries. 
(5) Summary of legislation and regulations at present in 
force in tropical and sub-tropical countries. 
(6) Comparison of these regulations with those contemplated 
by Rome convention. 
(7) Advantages and disadvantages of the proposed change of 
method. 
[ Discusston. ] 
Dr. C. J. J. van Hatt (Department of Agriculture, Buiten- 
zorg, Java): Mr. Chairman—I have listened with considerable 
interest to the paper of Mr. Rogers. As regards the three 
different ways which he suggested to prevent the introduction 
of diseases and pests from abroad, I am afraid that two of 
them, viz., eradicating completely the disease in its home 
country, and controlling all shipments of plants and seeds in 
the country of origin, will never be regarded as sufficient by 
the country which desires to import the plants or seeds. Each 
country will in the end have to rely upon itself for controlling 
the plants and seeds imported. Besides, it must not be forgotten. 
that it often happens that a disease has only just attacked 
a plant when it is shipped, and that it is then almost impossible 
to detect its presence, while on arrival at its destination 
