82 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



The word "quarantine" at that time assumed gigantic proportions 

 and it was feared that the seed trade with other states would be 

 ruined if such action was taken on the part of the Government. 

 In some cases it was beheved that such an action would mean 

 the retention of all potatoes within the state. 



A meeting was called in Houlton soon after the preliminary 

 investigation on the part of the state and federal authorities 

 and many of the dealers and growers were on hand. It was 

 decided to ask the Governor and Council to send delegates to 

 the public hearing held in Washington, and that these delegates 

 be authorized to state the position of the state in the matter and 

 urge that the Department of Agriculture of Maine be allowed 

 to handle the situation for the present season, and that the 

 Governor and Council endow the Commissioner of Agriculture 

 with the necessary authority. 



The Governor and Council agreed to take such action as was 

 necessary and appointed delegates for the hearing. 



RESULT OF INFORMAL HEARING IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 



At this meeting were Commissioner John A. Roberts, William 

 A. Martin of Houlton and Dr. Woods of the Experiment Sta- 

 tion as representatives from the State of Maine, also Senators 

 Charlesi F. Johnson and Edwin C. Burleigh, Representatives 

 John A. Peters and Frank E. Guernsey, Mr. George E. Wicks, 

 general freight agent of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, 

 and Major E. E. Philbrook of this department. 



The situation was carefully gone over with the result that for 

 the time it seemed best to leave the control of the potato situa- 

 tion to the State of Maine, w^ith experts from the Department 

 of Agriculture to assist in an advisory capacity. The following 

 plan of action was agreed to by the Maine authorities and by 

 the representatives of the railroads : 



RAILROADS. 



1. To agree definitely to accept for carriage only potatoes 

 that are certified by the proper authorities of Maine. 



2. To report daily to the Commissioner of Agriculture of 

 Maine and the Federal Horticultural Board of Washington the 

 origin, the car number, and the destination of the car, indicating 

 whether the potatoes are for seed or for table purposes. 



