— la ein i ee a ee Oe 
—. 
“Surra”—an Indian Disease of Horses, Cattle, and Camels.—For many years 
the only importations from Asiatic countries have been camels. ‘These beasts 
of burden have proved invaluable for transport in our waterless interior. They 
have introduced a form of skin disease due to a parasite which is very trouble- 
some, and might have been prevented from gaining entrance had proper examina- 
tion and control been exercised. Again, the application of science was neglected. 
Fortunately, science was successfully applied about ten years ago, when Dr. J. 
B. Cleland discovered the blood parasite called trypanosome in camels which 
had been imported to Western Australia. He was able to demonstrate that 
these blood parasites were of the same nature as those causing the disease 
surra amongst stock in India, and the camels were destroyed by order of the 
Government. ; 
“Citrus Canker’’—Lemon and Orange Trees.—Like animal diseases, plant 
diseases haye been introduced through the absence of scientific precautions. An 
example is “citrus canker,” a disease affecting citrus plants of all varieties. 
Many years ago, this was introduced to Darwin by plants from China, and was 
even propagated in the Government gardens. ‘The small orchards of various 
settlers became contaminated by plants from these gardens. Fortunately, before 
it extended to other parts of Australia, its presence was detected by Mr. F. G. 
Hill, the Government Entomologist. His conclusions were confirmed by other 
experts, and last year the disease was thoroughly dealt with by the destruction 
of all citrus plants in infected orchards. Science was in this case applied 
before any extensive damage was done to the fruit industry of Australia, 
although the loss to some of the local settlers, despite the compensation awarded, 
was considerable. : 
Weeds—Prickly Pear, &¢—In the past, all new countries have suffered 
through the importation of weeds, some considered unimportant in the land 
of origin, others recognised to be severe handicaps. ‘Proper scientific control 
would have prevented the introduction of such troubles to the agriculturist. 
One need only mention the prickly pear, which, covering already millions of 
acres in Queensland, is spreading at an alarming rate. 
Many weeds have been introduced to Australia, as to other new countries, by 
ballast brought in ‘sailing ships and duniped anywhere. In Nova Scotia, ragwort 
was so introduced. It rapidly spread, and soon covered large areas of country. 
It is responsible for the so-called Pictou cattle disease, a chronic affection of 
the liver, almost invariably fatal. It was not until the same disease was 
thoroughly investigated by me in New Zealand that the connexion with rag- 
wort was established. In Southland and in Auckland proyinces it was the cause 
of serious losses in both horses and cattle, and although sheep could apparently 
eat the plant with impunity, and were useful in its eradication, an almost 
exclusive diet of it is attended ultimately with fatal results. It is most probable 
in New Zealand the plant was also introduced by ballast. Scientific control, 
had it been applied to such cargoes, should have prevented the introduction of 
that and similar pests. The plant is known in certain parts of Australia, but, so 
far, no cases of losses in horses and cattle have been recorded. 
__ Conclusion.—It is not to be assumed that the lessons were not heeded. Quaran- 
tine laws in relation to stock and plants have been in force for many years, and 
the expert staffs of all Departments, particularly those of agriculture, in Aus- 
tralasia have been, and are being, continuously increased, although 25 years ago 
they were- practically non-existent. It is- well: to remind ourselves, however, 
when calculating how much science may help us in the future, that carelessness 
in regard to its potentialities in the past has cast on the community serious 
burdens, the annual losses from which are enormous. 
