EEPOET OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 27 



and at any time may make extended jumps. During 1921 in some 

 200,000 baskets of sweet corn which moved out of the infested dis- 

 trict upward of 5,000 beetles were found. The insect may be car- 

 ried by almost any of the farm, garden, florist, or nursery products, 

 and also is a strong flyer. Hope of eradication was early abandoned, 

 and while the rapidity of its spread can be retarded by efficient 

 quarantine, there seems no question but that in time this pest will 

 spread throughout the United States. Holding it in check by means 

 of a quarantine is important, in that it gives time to study methods of 

 control, and especially to find and introduce natural enemies upon 

 which we must rely for the most effective control. Large shipments 

 of parasites of this Japanese beetle have been received. 



No new outbreak of the corn borer has been reported this year, 

 but it has maintained itself in the previous areas of infestation. A 

 correct estimate of the damage which may be done by this pest can 

 not now be made, but there seems no doubt as to its threatening 

 character. It may prove to be a very serious pest when it reaches 

 the great Corn Belt, and particularly when it gets into the more 

 southern regions of corn culture. Therefore, quarantine and control 

 measures should be used vigorously. A hopeful development has 

 been the discovery in the south of France of what seems to be a 

 rather effective parasite of the corn borer. This parasite has been 

 introduced and established in Massachusetts. Also, judging from 

 laboratory studies, this same parasite will attack the native corn- 

 stalk borer in the Carolinas and the sugar-cane borer in Louisiana. 

 Apparently, also, it will destroy the larvae of the codling moth of the 

 apple. It seems to be a benevolently active parasite, and everything 

 possible is being done to make it at home here and encourage its 

 multiplication. 



THE IVURSERY-STOCK, PLANT, AND SEED dUARANTINE. 



For over three years Quarantine 37 has been in force. This quar- 

 antine regulates and conditions the entry of foreign plants and seeds 

 for propagation. It has been severely criticized, both by importers 

 and many amateur florists and horticulturists. To give full oppor- 

 tunity for such criticism and for considering it on its merits, I 

 called a conference at Washington in May of 1922. This conference 

 was largely attended by representatives of the various trade associa- 

 tions, horticultural and agricultural societies and associations, both 



