150 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



Hessian fly, angumois grain moth, the hop plant louse, 

 cabbage worm, several species of weevils affecting peas 

 and beans, three species of domesticated cockroaches, 

 bulb mites, narcissus bulb fly, the elm leaf beetle, gypsy 

 moth, l)rown-tail moth, leopard moth, cotton boll 

 weevil, the alfalfa weevil and Argentine ant. In this list 

 we find some of our most expensive and costly importa- 



BROWN' ROT OF THE PEACH 



This is a serious disease in the peach growing section of the eastern United States, 

 even render worthless the fruit while it is in transit to market. 



tions; but by no means have wc introduced all 

 which may come to our shores — for there 

 await introduction large nmnbcrs of species 

 of insects and diseases, which are known to 

 be pests in foreign countries, and might pos- 

 sibly be much more serious if introduced to 

 America. 



The question which arises in our minds is a 

 preventive for this amazing and startling condi- 

 tion of affairs, and there seems to be but one 

 method whereby we may eliminate further 

 danger absolutely, and that is by a Federal em- 

 bargo on the further importation of plants and 

 plant products from abroad. The imposition 

 at once of such an embargo would for a time 

 handicap the nurserymen, florists and seedsmen 

 of this countr\-, Init there is no reason to be- 



lieve that a final adjustment of these lines cannot be 

 effected within a very short time, so that we will not be de- 

 pendent on other countries for our horticultural products. 

 Statements have been made by our nurserj-men that 

 it is impossible to grow in America plants of such superior 

 quality as are now produced abroad and shipped to this 

 country. This is a debatable question, and will remain 

 so until absolutely serious efforts have been 

 made in America to produce these desired prod- 

 ucts. The placing of an embargo on the 

 import of horticultural products would iilli- 

 matcly benefit the nurserymen, florists and hor- 

 ticulturists of this coimtrv', by eliminating those 

 pests which are gradually being introduced into 

 this country, and just as surely, after due time 

 and opportunity, are injuring all demand for 

 certain kinds of nursery and florists' stock. As 

 an instance, no one in the region now infected 

 with chestnut blight will bu}' or plant chestnut 

 nursery stock. If the citrus canker should 

 escape control in Florida and ruin the citrus 

 industry, the nvn'serymen growing citrus stock 

 would have to seek other business. If the 

 white pine blister canker escapes and destroys 

 our v.'hite pine as rapidly as it is planted, there 

 will be no demand for nursery stock of this 

 type. vSimilar examples might be cited in 

 other lines, if so desired. 



It may 



;\ri'LE SCAB 

 This is the most destructive disease to which this fruit is subject 

 orchards, it may destroy the whole crop. 

 United States because of this disease is enormous. 



PEAt:H SCAB 

 This causes an .ivLragL- loss'of 10 per cent of the total value of the peach crop of the 

 eastern United States. 



The possibility of a Federal embargo being placed 

 on the importation of nursery stock has aroused some 

 of our nurserymen and florists considerably, and they 

 have maintained that an "absolute embargo" would 

 almost ruin their business. Certain of the farseeing, 

 and I may say better informed nurserymen, realize 

 that something must be done to protect their interests 

 from the ravages of pests, and after two or three in- 

 formal talks with various groups of nurserymen, I am 

 l^leased to report that in most cases these men are 

 willing to forego the importation of certain classes of 

 what may be termed "finished nursery products," 

 In unsprayed fccHng that tlicv wish to contiuuc the importation 



The total expenditure 'for spraying in the ^^ „„„ji;.,„ „*„„!.' f fj — ;„ t-UJo ^^„„t^,. Jn 



of seedling stock for propagation in this country. 



