SUPPOSED IMPORTATION OF PHYLLOXERA. 93 



about in exchange for corn. Money is exceedingly tight; exchangi 



an extravagant figure, and in general tin* prospects of Yucatan are ex- 

 ceedingly gloomy. 



I shall be pleased to furnish any details the Department may desire, 

 or to answer any questions that may be put.— [LOUIS H. Aymk. United 

 States Consul. Merida, Yucatan, August 25, 1883. 



Supposed Importation of Phylloxera. 



The following correspondence having been the subject of several 

 Associated Press dispatches last April, we print it in full : 



Treasury Department, April 17, 1883. 

 Sir : I transmit herewith a report from the collector of customs at 

 New York, dated the 13th instant, in regard to the importation at that 

 port of vine-cuttings, which it is suspected may be infected with phyl- 

 loxera. The report of the examiner who made the examination is not 

 conclusive on the question at issue, but even if it were I know of no 

 law that authorizes this Department to prevent their delivery. Dr. 

 Battershall, of the appraiser's office at New York, suggested that the 

 clippings be submitted for examination to Professor Kiley of your De- 

 partment, and they are accordingly transmitted for such examination. 

 Please return the paper with such comments as you may deem proper. 

 Yours, very respectfully, 



H. F. FRENCH, 



Acting Secretary. 

 Hon. Geo. B. Loring, 



Commissioner of Agriculture. 



Customhouse, New York, 

 Collector's Office, April 13, 1S83. 

 Sir: 1 herewith transmit a communication from the United States 

 consul at Funchal, inclosing invoice of vine-cuttings. The communi- 

 cation of the consul was referred to the appraisers immediately on re- 

 ceipt, and that officer's report thereon is herewith inclosed. I also for- 

 ward the vine sample alluded to in the appraiser's report. 



Being unable to find any provision of law authorizing the collector 

 to seize or otherwise interfere with importations of this character, even 

 though the vines are affected as surmised, 1 respect fully refer the mat- 

 ter to the Department, with the request that instructions be given as 

 to any action to be taken by me in the premises. 

 Very respectfullv, 



W. 11. ROBERTSON, 



Collector, 



Hon. Chas. J. Folger, 



Secretary of the Treasury. 



