FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 613 



THE NURSERY STOCK, PLANT, AND SEED QUARANTINE. 



CONFERENCE OF MAY 15, 1922. 



Quarantine No. 37, regulatino; and conditioninor the entry of for- 

 eign plant*^ and seeds for propao;ation. has been in force for over three 

 years, and while in its main features it has Ijeen recoojnized and 

 accepted as necessary for the protection of the country from the 

 entry of new pests, there have been objections to certain phases of the 

 quarantine from time to time on the part of certain interests and 

 individuals. To give opportunity for a full and free discussion of 

 the whole subject of quarantine No. 37 a conference was called at 

 Washington for May 15. This conference was largely attended, both 

 by representatives of the various trade associations, the important 

 horticultural and agricultural societies and associations, national 

 and regional, and State horticultural, agricultural, and quarantine 

 officials. There were also in attendance numerous individuals intcir- 

 ested in the horticultural trades involved; also foreign delegates 

 representing England, Holland, Belgimn, and France. 



It is believed that a better understanding of the need of safeguard- 

 ing the country against the possible introduction of destructive pests 

 and diseases has resulted from this conference, and also that it has 

 cleared up a good many of the prejudices and mistaken ideas that 

 existed concerning quarantine No. 37 and its operation. 



At the conclusion of the conference provision was made by the 

 department to take up certain special subjects which needed more 

 intimate discussion at some time convenient to the department and 

 the interests involved. Among the subjects to be thus considered 

 are the questions of bulb importations and possibly orchids and certain 

 classes of florist and nursery stock. 



No plants or classes of plants are specifically excluded by quaran- 

 tine No. 37. On the other hand, the quarantine makes provision 

 for the entry of any plants for which a real horticultural or experi- 

 mental need can be shown, and under it very large importations of 

 what are often styled "prohibited plants" are being constantly made. 

 (See records of importations of nursery stock plants and seeds, p. 17). 



The records in the possession of the department fully demonstrate 

 that any importation of any class of plants is attended with greater 

 or less risk of bringing in new enemies in spite of all safeguards of 

 inspection and disinfection. The protection which the country 

 needs and demands therefore involves the exclusion of all stock not 

 absolutely essential to the horticultural, floricultural, and forestry 

 needs of the United States, and that is just what quarantine No. 37 

 attempts to do and must do if it is to be of any real service in exclud- 

 ing plant pests. 



In this connection it is perhaps proper to point out that in connec- 

 tion with the unportations which were permitted during the fiscal 

 year 1922 there were intercepted upward of 500 did'erent species of 

 msect pests and also a considerable number of plant diseases. As a 

 single example, in connection with importations in 1921 of fruit and 

 rose seedlings from France,' no less than 182 brown-tad moth nests 

 were intercepted, distributed among some 41 did'erent shipments. 

 That tlais represents a growing carelessness on the part of the French 

 exporter is indicated by the fact that in the nine preceding years only 

 63 such nests were found altogether. This alarming state of affairs 



