Il 
pretty well aware of what diseases are prevalent in any of the 
countries with which we are likely to deal; and I may say at 
once, Sir, that I think the prevention of the importation of 
plants—complete prevention or prohibition—is obsolescent. We 
have come to that stage now that we must receive plants from 
certain places, and must adopt such measures as will enable 
_us to introduce them with safety. Some of these measures 
have been set forth by Mr. Rogers in his paper. For instance, 
a certificate of freedom from disease from a competent 
authority. That is essential. Fumigation in the country of 
origin is a thing upon which I would not rely. It all depends 
upon how it is done, and it is not successful in all cases even 
where it is thoroughly done. Inspection at the country of 
import is also absolutely necessary, and fumigation there is 
necessary in certain cases. These are the measures that will 
have to be adopted, and I think, Sir, that as we progress ir 
our knowledge of the methods of intreduction of plants—we 
are really in a state of evolution in regard to our knowledge of 
these plant diseases—our planters and our Governments will 
insist upon the importation of plants only from those countries 
in which a certificate from a competent authority can be 
obtained. I think that will be the commercial ending of the 
question. 
Professor Dr. Warsurc (Germany): Mr. Chairman and 
Gentlemen—I think this question is one of the most important 
with which we have to deal here, because the difficulty of get- 
ting rid of diseases, and the prevention of the introduction of 
fresh ones, is now very important for all tropical countries 
and colonies. Bur I think the matter is one upon which we 
cannot come to any definite conclusion here. We have heard 
already of some difficulties which are raised by certain of the 
proposals of the Rome Convention, and I believe that our 
tropical interests are so -very great that we must form our own 
conclusions, and that will only be possible, I think, by appoint- 
ing a Committee to consider the question. We have no idea 
which diseases have to be excluded, and even if the interchange 
of communications between the different countries and the 
different stations is now very frequent, it is impossible, from 
the literature alone, to determine what is really necessary. And 
so I believe we must appoint an International Committee to 
prepare a report for the next Congress—a Committee consist- 
ing partly of phytopathological experts of the different nations, 
and partly of administrators who know what is possible in the 
different countries. Only if this is done can we propose any 
regulations to the General Committee, or to the Institute at 
Rome. It is impossible now, I believe, to take here any 
certain steps without going thoroughly into the matter, so I 
shall propose such a Committee for working out the question. 
