147 
and several earth worms were found alive. The soil was there- 
fore carefully removed and dumped overboard. 
Apples from Australia. — The same steamer had 40 cases of ap- 
ples from Sydney consigned to Honolulu. When the ship's offi- 
cers were reminded of the Board's regulation prohibiting the im- 
portation of fresh fruits from Australia, the fruit was not landed 
here. Your inspector examined the boxes on board and satis- 
fied himself they were sufficiently well covered to prevent the es- 
cape of fruit-fly that might have emerged en route. 
Delayed Inspection. — The S. S. Virginian arrived from San 
Francisco late in the afternoon of May 27th and brought, among 
other things, 12 cases of plants, an unusually large number for 
one steamer. Upon examination the following morning they 
were found invaded by a horde of cockroaches {Phillodromia ger- 
manica). In addition, a number of the cases contained mango 
and avocado trees from Florida, the former even bearing speci- 
mens of a species of Pulvinaria. Fumigation of the entire lot 
was imperative and Wells Fargo Express Co., to whom most 
were consigned, as well as their draymen, were notified that the 
cases need to be transported to the Oceanic dock for the purpose. 
In view of the fact that the Alameda with her usual heavy cargo 
of fresh fruit was due next day, the importance of immediate 
transportation, in order to enable us to fumigate and inspect the 
same day was urged upon the Express people. Notwithstanding 
our insistence the cases did not reach the Oceanic dock until 3:50 
P. M., and by the time the fumigatory was ventilated it was too 
late to attempt inspection. It transpired later that it was impos- 
sible to secure a dray, hence the delay. We were compelled to 
defer inspection of these plants until after about 150 lots of fresh 
fruits and vegetables (not counting deck vegetables) brought by 
the Alameda next day were inspected. Naturally, as it was im- 
possible to foretell what obstacle might present itself in course 
of this fruit inspection it was equally impossible to make definite 
promises as to when the work of final inspection of those plants 
could be undertaken. However, by dint of a supreme eitort we 
succeeded in inspecting all of those plants that very afternoon. 
Despite the handicap of reduction in inspection force the Division 
is satisfied that it has attended to the work of inspection promptly 
and thoroly. 
Bordeaux Dipping. — The Alameda of May 29th brought 3 
large cases containing 5,000 roots of asparagus for planting pur- 
poses. To prevent the introduction of that terrible pest of the 
asparagus grower on the mainland — Asparagus rust (Puccinia 
aspagari, D. C.) — the plants were dipped in a standard solution 
of Bordeaux before being passed. 
Seed Potatoes. — The same steamer also brought 19 sacks of 
potatoes consigned to A. W. C. which, it was later ascertained 
were intended for seed purposes on Hawaii. When this was 
learned they were removed to the Government Xursery where 
