196 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 14 



appeared to have digressed somewhat from the topic of my paper. As a 

 matter of fact, however, I have just told you of the very foundation of a 

 successful and efficient port quarantine service, a good law. Secondary 

 to the good law is ample financial support. Realizing this, the Florida 

 Legislature has made liberal appropriations for administering the 

 provisions of the Plant Act. 



With the bitter experience with citrus canker, an introduced disease, 

 as an example, the State Plant Board determined that this disease 

 should not again be introduced nor should other pests be brought in if 

 possible to keep them out. Florida, owing to her peculiar geographical 

 location, is exposed to attack by enemies from Central and South America 

 and from the West Indies. Then too, owing to the subtropical nature 

 of her climate, unwelcome visitors find a congenial home. Our task, 

 therefore, was no light one. The State Plant Board, shortly after its 

 organization created, under the direction of the Plant Commissioner, a 

 port inspection service which beginning in a modest way has developed 

 with age and experience. We now have inspection stations at all of the 

 principal ports of entry in Florida, namely, Pensacola, Jacksonville, 

 Miami, Key West and Tampa. Depending upon the volume of im- 

 ports and passenger traffic, our force ranges from one to three men at 

 each of these ports. I am frank in stating that this force is just about 

 half the number really needed. These men are all trained and experi- 

 enced inspectors who have seen service in other branches of Plant Board 

 field service. Many of them have been educated as entomologists and 

 plant pathologists, not all. In this connection, I would point out that 

 in work of this nature, which after all is police or regulatory work, a 

 high degree of technical training in entomology and pathology, while 

 very desirable, is not essential. A knowledge of these subjects, such as 

 may be gained by elementary courses or practical field experience is 

 sufficient. In fact, som.e of our very best m_en have had no collegiate 

 training whatever in entomology or plant pathology but these men as 

 well as those who are technically trained must and do possess other 

 qualifications which are of primary importance. 



From the very nature of the work in which they are engaged our men 

 encounter many difficult and trying situations. I am glad to say that 

 invariably they have been able to overcome the difficulties and to handle 

 unpleasant situations without an undue amount of friction. They 

 have been courteous but firm, decisive but never offensively so, accom- 

 modating but not lax. The successful performance of the many duties 

 devolving upon them calls for the employment of m.en of the very highest 

 type. They must be men who can impress the public with the fact that 

 they know their business and intend to attend to it. Being men of this 



