97 



Dominion Government entomologist, for assistance and remuneration for the loss 

 we had sustained. Mr. Blue, considering it to be a matter with which the Local 

 Government had to do, brought Dr. Bryce, Secretary of the Provincial Board of 

 Health, and submitted the matter to the Government for action. Afterwards Dr. 

 Bryce and Mr. Fletcher came together, and finally the whole matter was left in- 

 charge of Dr. Bryce and the Provincial Board of Health. 



" In the meantime we took down our machinery and subjected it to steam- 

 ing. Every part was thoroughly steamed. The mill was swept down and sub- 

 jected to sulphur fumes. The walls, ceilings, etc., were cleaned, and elevator 

 spouts and loose wooden work burnt up. Paper bags and hundreds of dollars 

 worth of goods were burnt in the furnace, while the other bags, elevator belts and 

 cups were boiled for hours in a cauldron of water. The machines and all parts 

 that were not destroyed were then burnt by means of a kerosene torch, which 

 flamed and smoked through and around every part of them until we considered 

 we had everything clean and ready for putting together again. 



"But on the 19th of September the Local Government passed an Order in 

 Council compelling us to take more stringent steps, or rather ordering the Pro- 

 vincial Board of Health to take immediate steps for the suppression of the pest. 

 This Act was approved of by His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor, who signed 

 the Order in Council, and on the 20th September we received an order from Dr.. 

 Bryce which stated that before placing our machinery in position we should sub- 

 ject it to a thorough disinfecting process in a strong room so arranged that steam 

 under pressure might be drawn or driven into it. 



" In compliance with this order we at once constructed a tight steam box six 

 feet wide, six feet high and 12 feet long, and attached a steam pipe to it from 

 the boiler. In this box we put every machine, and even our mill stones and iron 

 rollers. This process was very expensive and took up considerable time, as we 

 were over a week at the process and were delayed in the placing of our machin- 

 ery. The Board of Health visited us in a body during the time this process was- 

 going on and pronouuced it a success. This was all done not only in our own 

 interests, but in the interests of the public health and commerce of the country. 

 Having now got to the position which enables us to go to work again after two 

 months loss of time, and the loss of machinery, fixtures, stock and expense, we- 

 have arranged for remedial measures to prevent the reappearance or destruction 

 of the pest should we ever be again attacked. We have erected a steam stand- 

 pipe with hose or other connection on each flat of the mill building. By shutting 

 up all doors and windows of each flat and turning on the steam simultaneously 

 to each floor the whole building can be filled with hot live steam sufficient to kill 

 anything. This will rust all bright parts of the machiney, but to remedy this 

 we intend using oil on them, should we ever be under the necessity of resorting 

 to the measure. 



Another purpose of this steam stand-pipe will be, in cold weather, to lei om 

 sufficient steam to moisten every thing and part of the building at night and let'- 

 the frost penetrate so as to kill any eggs or insects that may have become lodged 

 in unseen parts. 



By these measures, with plenty of light, thorough cleanliness, a cold mil] 5 ,, 

 and caution in taking in stock and old bags, we hope to keep free of a pest which 

 has given us so much trouble and loss. 



The above accounts serve to show what a serious matter was the introduction off 

 this insect into Canada. There is no class of foods more important to the masses 

 than those which we derive from cereal crops, any cause therefore which brought 

 about their destruction was an enemy menacing the whole community. By the 



7 (EN.) 



