52 agriculture; of maine. 



gypsy moth work. 



We most sincerely hope that those who are looking to the 

 conservation of our forests will not overlook this, the most 

 important enemy of our Pine Tree State. If once this pest 

 should get away from the fetters that now keep it under control 

 our fair State would suffer beyond measure. 



From an economic standpoint we can ill afford to let this 

 menace go unrestrained. It is a most subtle power of destruc- 

 tion that lurks in our midst and unless a more aggressive policy 

 is inaugurated and a combined movement set on foot in Maine 

 as well as New Hampshire this pest will get the upper hands 

 of us. The experience of Massachusetts is a lesson that should 

 not go unheeded. A careful study of the report of our special 

 field agent should be made in order to realize the importance 

 of this work. 



INFESTED NURSERY STOCK. 



There has been such a volume of complaint regarding the 

 nursery stock purchased last spring that we feel the time has 

 come for more drastic measures in dealing with this phase of 

 the movement for better fruit in Maine. 



We were anxious to secure the passage of the bill requiring 

 all persons who wished to take orders for nursery stock, for 

 parties outside of the State, to obtain a license from this depart- 

 ment for so doing. The experience of the past season has 

 shown the wisdom of this act. One nursery has been forced 

 out of business, as far as this State is concerned, and should 

 be shut out from doing business in any state. The agent act- 

 ing for that company has been refused a license on the ground 

 of obtaining orders under false pretences. 



One or two other nurserymen have been cautioned about the 

 stock they have been selling in this State, with the result that 

 these parties will either mend their ways in the future or will 

 be obliged to drop out of business as far as Maine goes. We 

 have organized a movement for better fruit and we must insist 

 that better nursery stock is sent in the future. Several of the 

 Gregory orchards had to be ruled out on account of inferior 

 stock. In some cases hardly a tree started to leaf out in the 

 orchard set. The trees had hardly any root system, and the 



