362 



ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE VIRUS ACT (37 STAT., 832). 



Thirty-eight apparent violations of the act of March 4, 1913 (37 

 Stat., 832), governing the preparation, shipment, and importation 

 of viruses, serums, toxins, and analogous products, intended for use 

 in the treatment of domestic animals, were reported to the Attorney 

 General. At the close of the fiscal year 1915, one case was pending. 

 The 38 reported during 191G and one pending at the close of 1915, in 

 all 39, were terminated during 1916. Twenty-eight w r ere consoli- 

 dated, and a fine of $100 was imposed. Three other cases were dis 

 missed. In 7 the defendants pleaded guilty and were fined. In 1 

 the defendant pleaded nolo contendere and was fined. No case was 

 pending at the close of the year. The fines imposed were: 



< Twenty eifrht cases ipainst one defendant were consolidated and a fine of S100 imposed. 

 THE INSECTICIDE ACT (36 STAT., 331). 



Eighty-seven cases were reported to the Attorney General, in 76 

 of which criminal proceedings and in 11 seizures were recommended. 

 At the close of the fiscal year 1915, 74 cases were pending, of which 

 71 were criminal prosecutions and 3 were seizures. Fifty-five cases 

 pending at the close of the year 1915, and 48 reported during the year 

 3916, in all 103, were terminated in 1916. Of the cases terminated, 

 93 were criminal and 10 civil. In the 93 criminal cases, 8 violations 

 were combined with others for the purpose of prosecution ; fines were 

 imposed in 80 ; sentence was suspended in 1 ; three were dropped or 

 dismissed; one was nolle prossed. After the combination for pur- 

 pose of prosecution, in 74 pleas of guilty, and in 7 pleas of nolo con- 

 tendere were entered. 



In the criminal cases in which convictions were obtained the fines 

 were as follows: 



Costs were assessed in a considerable number of cases in which 

 convictions were obtained. Decrees of condemnation and forfeiture 

 were entered in 10 civil cases. At the close of the year 58 cases were 

 pending, of which 54 were criminal prosecutions and 4 seizures. 



During the year 40 notices of judgment were prepared. 



THE PLANT QUARANTINE ACT (37 STAT., 315). 



No violations were reported to the Attorney General. Nine cases 

 pending at the close of the preceding year are in various stages of 

 prosecution. 



