36 
were present Messrs. Thurston, Giffard. Brown, Dole, Perkins 
and Smith. The cuttings were surrounded with a large amount 
of soil, some of them in a filthy condition and the question arose 
as to what should be done with them. At this meeting it was 
decided that they be taken to the Governmait Nursery to be in- 
spected by the entomologists and then removed to the Federal 
Station, where they could be propagated. 
]\Ir. Perkins, questioned as to whether he had any other report 
to make upon the condition of the bananas, aside from that made 
at the informal meeting, replied that he had spent three or four 
hours at the Nursery, and found a number of living insects and 
also remains of a new borer, but could not say whether the in- 
sects were present in a larvae state. 
Air. Perkins, upon being asked as a Government official, 
whether or not be would allow the admission of these bananas, 
replied that it was not a question of entomology, but one of judg- 
ment. Upon being asked by Air. Smith whether any experiments 
had been made to kill cane borer, said that he had made some but 
found it extremely difficult to kill the borer without killing the 
cane. 
Air. Smith stated that the banana growers of the Islands are 
very anxious to procure a number of these plants, for it means 
a good deal of money to them, and remarked that if the Board 
does not permit the admission of such importations, individual 
growers will make attempts to get Bluefields at their own risk. 
He stated that gas treatment would remove every possibility of 
the introduction of living insects and should hate very much to 
have this importation destroyed on the mere "fragmentary evi- 
dence of insects having been discovered in connection with the 
roots." 
A motion was made by Air. Giffard, seconded by Air. Dole, for 
the purpose of discussion, that the action already taken by the 
members, at the informal meeting, be confirmed, but said that he 
would not vote in favor of the admission of this shipment. 
Air. Giffard did not believe it would be right for the Board 
to act inconsistently with the entomologists whom it should look 
to for advice on such matters. He hated to see the bananas de- 
stroyed, but would like to see a few propagated at the Govern- 
ment Nursery. 
Air. Carter stated that if there was no insect found that was 
detrimental it would seem unwise to destroy the bananas, for we 
do not want to do anything that would look as though we were 
not in sympathy with people who are probably making a living 
from them. 
Alessrs. Dole and Brown agreed with Air. Carter and Air. Dole 
believes that the banana industry is capable of beconiing a very 
important one. 
A discussion then arose as to the method of treatment of the 
