REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 29 



ments with reference to the substitution of other crops for cotton 

 secured much needed information relating to the habits and food 

 plants of the insect. This information will be very useful in deter- 

 mining the most efficient means of eradication and of preventing 

 the spread of the pest. The wheat and corn crops of the Laguna this 

 year have been unusually successful, and the peanuts and castor-bean 

 crops have given good promise. 



NURSERY STOCK IMPORTATIONS. 



The need of additional restrictions on the entry into this country 

 of certain classes of nursery stock and other plants and seeds has 

 been under consideration. The danger of introducing destructive 

 diseases with plants having earth about the roots and plants and 

 seeds of all kinds for propagation from little-known or little-ex- 

 plored countries is especially great. The large risks from importa- 

 tions of these two classes arise from the' impossibility of properly 

 inspecting the former and from the dangers which can not be fore- 

 seen with respect to the latter. Examination of such material is 

 necessarily difficult, and the discovery of infesting insects, particu- 

 larly if hidden in bark or wood, or of evidences of disease is largely 

 a matter of chance. Such control, therefore, as a condition of entry 

 is a very imperfect safeguard. 



There has developed throughout the country a wide interest in 

 the subject which has manifested itself in numerous requests from 

 official bodies all over the Union for greater restriction on plant im- 

 ports. As a basis for such additional restrictions, a public hearing 

 was held in May at which the whole subject was fully discussed with 

 all of the interests concerned. As a result, it is proposed to issue a 

 quarantine which shall restrict the entry of foreign plants and seeds 

 for propagation substantially to field, vegetable, and flower seeds, 

 certain bulbs, rose stocks, and fruit stocks, cuttings, and scions. The 

 entry of these classes of plants is represented to be essential to the 

 floriculture and horticulture of this country. 



CITRUS CANKER. 



Since the autumn of 1914 the Department has cooperated with 

 the Gulf States in a campaign to eradicate the canker disease 

 of citrus fruit and trees. Notwithstanding its wide dissemina- 

 tion before its identity and nature were determined, the prog- 



