66 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



GEORGE COMPERE. 



He know's 'em by their looks, 



But he didn't learn from books 

 Or from reading of their histories in tomes; 



Be it bug or caterpillar, 



Coecid, fly or little miller, 

 He has made them all a visit at their homes. 



"With passengers and ships, 



In stream or at the slips. 

 He's a way of doing business that commends, 



With officers and crew, 



And many others too, 

 And his common sense has made a host of friends. 



A lover of plant life. 



No passenger meets strife 

 Should they bring with them from foreign lands a tree ; 



If of bugs its leaves are clean 



And no fungi can be seen 

 And if Compere finds its roots from soil are free. 



But when it comes to fruit, 



Trade shipments or just loot, 

 He's a knowledge of locations that's uncanny; 



Hand bag or box or trunk. 



Gallery, locker, hold or bunk. 

 For of voyages himself has made a many. 



Herein the danger lies, 



Of bringing in fruit flies. 

 And from this search he never takes a rest ; 



From all of those who know, 



He can the best proofs show, 

 Of most intimate acquaintance with this pest. 



Here's to his methods straight. 



May never ships or freight 

 Fail to undergo his thorough supervision ; 



Here's to his honest self, 



His disregard of pelf. 

 He's a credit to the Quarantine Division. 



Note. — Frederick Maskew in "United States Customs and Kindred Services" San 

 Francisco, December, 1915. 



