107 



7. The office is more commodious, has a cement floor, and has 

 greatly assisted us in our important work. I take this opportun- 

 ity in again thanking the Board of Harbor Commissioners for 

 their cooperation and many past favors. As the Port of Hilo is 

 now in direct communication with the Orient we are somewhat 

 handicapped in regard to a suitable fumigating room. The small 

 room on the Matson Whraf is sufficient for ordinary work, but 

 would not answer in case a large shipment of rice had to be 

 treated. This matter was taken up during the last year, but as 

 the Kuhio wharf was without covering it was thought best to 

 postpone the erection of suitable quarters at present. However, 

 that we might be prepared to handle an infested shipment, 

 should such arrive, I had two large gas-proof tarpaulins made, 

 w^hich can be used for the purpose until such time when a better 

 equipment can be installed. The question is often asked why rice 

 shipments are found infested after being fumigated at Kobe, 

 Japan. In reply to this I will state that these shipments can be- 

 come infested from non-fumigated rice on board the steamers, be- 

 cause the rice shipments going to the coast from Japan are not 

 fumigated, and very often the cargo destined for Honolulu is 

 placed alongside or on top of these shipments. The larvae of 

 the rice moth and rice weevils can readily crawl from one lot to 

 another. The consignees at Honolulu or Hilo therefore can hardly 

 be held responsible for infestations, especially if they have com- 

 plied with the regulations of the Board. All bills of lading of 

 rice shipments have the government certificate of fumigation at- 

 tached. I have taken up the matter of fumigation for coast ship- 

 ments with the California Commissioners of Horticulture, but 

 so far no action has been taken. 



INTER ISLAND INSPECTION. 



During the biennial period the inspection of inter island 

 shipments of fruits, vegetables arid plants has been continued 

 despite the fact that the Mediterranean fruit fly, for w^hich this 

 work was originally started, has found its way to all the islands. 

 ISTow that this pest has gained a foothold on all the islands, we 

 are more than ever convinced that other pests, which might be 

 accidentally introduced at Honolulu, the. port of entry, should be 

 closely watched. Besides fruit, vegetables and plants especial 

 stress h,as been put on inspection of soil attached to the roots of 

 plants which were removed from the ground or recently potted. 

 The constant finding of grubs and beetles and other noxious in- 

 sects in soil from the Orient and other countries, demonstrates 

 clearly the necessity of a very close inspection here. It is also 

 well known that many fungi and diseases of plants are carried in 

 soil and having a system for inter-island inspection, it will be a 



