REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 203 



too numerous to mention;' these would not be conveyed on 

 nursery stock except in the egg stage, hke the green apple louse, 

 etc. 



BETTER NURSERY STOCK FOR MAINE. 



In this new era of "Farm Betterment," secured under the 

 problem of "The Conservation of Our Natural Resourses," we 

 are confronted with the important problem of our present 

 orchard conditions in Maine. We are all very familiar with 

 these conditions. The great question that presents itself is how 

 best to go at this problem in order to reach a successful solution. 



As quite a per cent of our orchards are in a deplorable condi- 

 tion it seems just the opportune moment in which to put forth 

 our best efforts and start at the beginning by demanding better 

 nursery stock and accepting the best. 



It is now the universal cry all over the country, "Better Seed 

 Corn!" "Better Dairy Cows!" "Purer Food!" "Purer Air!'' 

 "Freedom from Tuberculosis, the Alalarial Mosquito, Typhoid 

 Fly" and I may add for New England, the Brown-tail itch ! 



If we are demanding all these why not include that very essen- 

 tial element of good health, viz : — Good Fruit, and this can be 

 best secured by obtaining first-class nursery stock. 



For a number of years there has been an indistinct murmur 

 in the air regarding much of the stock that has been received 

 from some of the nurseries in other states. This murmur has 

 increased in volume until now there is no mistaking the sound. 

 It is ominous of disaster to out-of-State stock, unless some radi- 

 cal measure of improvement is immediately adopted. 



The number of complaints received at the office have been 

 increasing each year. Last spring it was deemed advisable to 

 take a more decided stand on this question. \\'ith this end in 

 view a thorough investigation was instituted. With the data 

 thus secured guilty parties were reported to the proper authori- 

 ties with the result that a personal trip was made to some of 

 the leading nurseries in New York state. 



A conference was held with the Commissioner of Agriculture 

 and the Chief of the Bureau of Horticulture to see what could 

 be done. As a result of this trip we feel that Maine will receive 

 better stock in the future. If any inferior stock is received or 

 any that is infested with any kind of insect pests, kindly report 



