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1895. NEW ZEALAND.

PHYLLOXERA IN GRAPE-VINES (OPINIONS OF EXPERTS THEREON).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 31st July, 1895. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House the opinions received by the Agricultural Department from experts as to the danger from phylloxera being communicated to grape-vines through the importation of grapes."— {Mr. Pirani.)

No. 1. F. von■ Mueleee, Esq., to the Hon. the Commissionee of Teade and Customs, Wellington. Melbourne, 16th March, 1883. In reply to your letter of the 27th February, numbered 178, I have the honour to remark that, in endeavours to prevent the spreading of Phylloxera vestatrix into any new country, it will be better to go too far than not far enough, and it is desirable that the importation of fresh grapes from any actually-infested district should be prohibited; for, although the Phylloxera preys only on the roots of European vines, the insect in its migration, or even merely by accidental contact of its ova, may quite possibly be carried by means of grapes to fresh centres of devastation mechanically. The greatest danger, however, exists in the Phylloxera being transferred to new localities by rooted vines and vine-cuttings, under the bark of which or on the root of which ova may be nestling unobserved and undisputed. The Hon. the Commissioner of Trade and Customs, F. yon Muellee. Wellington.

No. 2. F. yon Mueller, Esq., to F. Whitmoee Isitt, Esq. Sib,- Melbourne, 15th July, 1882. In reply to your letter received this day, I most assuredly advise that your intention to petition the New Zealand Government not to allow the importation of any plants or cuttings or fruits of the grape-vine be carried into effect. Indeed, by my own impulse I urged an influential correspondent some time ago that such a measure as the Horticultural Society of Christchurch very properly advocates should become law. New Zealand, by its insular position, will derive full benefit from an Act of the Legislature to this effect, while countries or colonies territorially connected, or even'invaded at only one place, are not so sure to protect themselves against the influx and spreading of Phylloxera vestatrix, however rigorously the importation of grapes and of vine plants and cuttings may be prevented from adjoining places. It will be even a matter for consideration for New Zealand whether or not every kind of living plant should be prohibited from being sent there from any country in which the Phylloxera vestatrix has established itself. By some such full and complete interdict the dreaded insect has been kept out of the islands of Greece, while all the other countries around the Mediterranean Sea became infected by this insect pest in their vineries. I have, &c, F. Whitmore Isitt, Esq. P. yon Muellee. Approximate Cost of Paper, —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,300 copies), 18s.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s. Price, 3d.}