46 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' DEPARTMENT. 



Cost of County Horticultural Inspection. 



By Geo. P. "Weldon. 



Few people, not engaged in either the nursery business or fruit grow- 

 ing, realize the tremendous significance of the work done by the county 

 horticultural commissioners. Indeed, there are many orchardists who 

 look upon this work in an indifferent manner, failing absolutely to 

 comprehend its importance. The annual reports of the commissioners 

 to the state commissioner contain nuich that is of interest, and give 

 one an insight into the magnitude of the quarantine phase of their 

 work. The table which follows gives the total number of plants and 

 trees inspected and condemned, also a statement as to the cost of the 

 work in the various counties where the commissioners are serving. It 

 may be seen from this table that Los Angeles County is spending more 

 for the work than any other in the state. In this county there are 

 31 inspectors employed, besides a commissioner, deputy commissioner, 

 clerk and stenographer, making a total of 35 persons hired by the 

 county to protect the horticultural interests. The total cost of this 

 work in Los Angeles County for the year ending September 30, 1914, 

 was $39,426.51. 



The appended table does not give much idea of what this money 

 was spent for, as the work of inspecting incoming trees is only a very 

 small part of a county commissioner's duties, for dangerous diseases 

 and insect pests in the orchard must be eradicated or controlled ; trou- 

 blesome weeds must not be allowed to go unmolested, and advice is 

 given wherever possible, on all topics pertaining to horticulture. 



California should be proud of the service of the horticultural com- 

 missioners, without M'hich the fruit grower would have little or no 

 assurance of the cleanliness of the stock which he plants, and without 

 which insect pests and diseases of all kinds would be spread broadcast. 



