No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 131 



becoiue Ihr dumping grouud for rtfuse nursery stock from every 

 seetion of the TTnited States. There is no legislation to protect our 

 fruit men from t^au Jose Scale oi- diseased or infected nursery stock 

 brought in from other States. 



In the matter of existing legislation, we have laws protecting 

 orchard.sr from depredations. No one is allowed to steal our fruit 

 or break down our trees. We have also a law enacted two years 

 ago relating to San Josd Scale, yellows, black knot, etc. I do not 

 know that this law has anywhere beeu enforced. According to its 

 provisions orchards may be inspected and if condemned may be 

 destroyed, but up to this time I know of no instance where any one 

 has beea jn'osecuted in Pennsylvania for non-compliance with its 

 re(iuirements. 



The Department of Agriculture has appointed experts to inspect 

 nursery stock. A certificate from these experts enables our nursery- 

 men to ship trees and plants outside of the State, but there is no 

 law to prevent nurserymen from selling infected trees anywhere 

 widiin the State. 



The Department also issues bulletins from time to time, which 

 have done good service in enlightening our citizens on the subject of 

 injuiious insects and diseases. Some of our nurserymen have 

 erected fumigating houses, where all nursery stock is properly fumi- 

 gated before shipment, thus taking all possible precaution to pre- 

 vent the spread of insect pests. 



The Department has also secured a list of fruit growers of Penn- 

 sylvania, and is now able to assist them, through the distribution of 

 bulletins, giving information in regard to insect pests and fungi 

 and methods of counteracting their ravages. In the report of this 

 Department for 1899, the proceedings of this Association for 1898 

 and 1899 were published and distributed. 



We need additional legislation. We need a law that will con- 

 trol insects and fungous diseases, a law that is not too radical but 

 that will permit the destruclion of trees that are too badly dis- 

 eased or infected to recover. With that end in view I have pre- 

 pared a bill which I will submit to the consideration of your Asso- 

 ciation. It is made up of extracts from the New York and Missouri 

 State laws. 



There is another law needed which I have not been able to pre- 

 pare in reference to fruit packages. There should also be a law 

 creating a Division of Horticulture and Pomology, in charge of 

 an oflficer who will look after the interests of horticulture. The 

 sooner such a law is enacted the sooner will the fruit interests of 

 the State receive the attention and encouragement which they de- 

 serve. 



