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80
them some of the potatoes for examination and advice. They informed me
that "the potatoes were suffering from a form of dry rot caused by a species of
Fusarium which differs from Fusarium caeruleum, the common potato dry rot
fungus of the British Isles, and which produces in the tubers symptoms differing
slightly from those due to F. caeruleum in the initial stages of the disease,
allthough they closely resemble them in the final stages." The Ministry were
further of opinion that from the standpoint of public health the case was
relatively unimportant as before consumption the decayed portions would
certainly be removed and they could not be regarded as dangerous to health.
The potatoes were in a perishing condition and 4,700 bags of them, weighing
235 tons 13 cwts., were destroyed.
About 70 bunches of bananas were surrendered to this department in
August last and destroyed as they appeared to be affected with some definite
disease. They had brown and black spots which did not seem to be the result
of bruises. All the bananas were affected though many were quite green.
The fruit came from Jamaica and the whole of the 70 bunches was more or less
affected. In view of the important matters which might have been involved
I communicated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and sent specimens
for examination. They stated that" the bananas were suffering from
ripe rot due to Gloeosporium musarum. This fungus invariably attacks
bruised and old bananas. The only known method of avoiding such rotting is
to avoid bruising."
A box of 45 Borax-preserved Hams from America were consigned to a
neighbouring Borough in December last to be smoke-cured on behalf of a firm
in this Borough. Borax is a prohibited preservative in meat but this particular
consignment was to be used as ships stores for foreign bound ships and would
not be used in this country for human consumption. The goods were allowed
to be sent away for the purpose for which they were consigned and were
disposed of to certain ships between 25th October and 10th November.