April, '10] INSPECTORS' DISCUSSION 241 



Second. While repairing is from time to time necessary, it is 

 seldom practical. This expense added to that of trimming the hedge 

 every year to keep it in a presentable condition, is more than enough 

 to effect the cost of erection of a good wire fence. The hedge should 

 be given one or even two or more trimmings each season. This is an 

 •expensive and very disagreeable operation principally on account of 

 the thorns. 



Third. The Osage Orange plant is a very vigorous grower, its roots 

 permeate the ground on each side of the hedge for at least ten feet 

 and in many cases greater distances. It thus robs the soil of fertility 

 and moisture that should be accessible to crops planted in the field. 



There are, therefore, several vulnerable points of attack, in fact the 

 majority of those who keep Osage hedges recognize it as a general 

 nuisance, but aside from the natural reluctance to lose the first cost 

 of the plants and perhaps many years of expense in maintenance, the 

 expense of grubbing up the hedge and the setting of a new fence is in 

 the majority of cases the only excuse for their existence on so many 

 farms. 



In Maryland the department has adopted the policy of allowing the 

 farmers three years in which to rid their property of this nuisance. 

 Thus the hedge bordering on the fields to be cultivated each season 

 can be destroyed. Tliis method will not work a hardship on the owner 

 or tenant, and it is hoped that it will serve to gradually eliminate this 

 important food plant of the San Jose scale, and otherwise expensive 

 make-shift for a fence from Maryland farms. 



It seems to me that a widespread campaign may be waged by the 

 inspectors of the several states in ridding our country of this most 

 troublesome hedge plant. 



DISCUSSIONS OF QUESTIONS ON PROGRAM 



President: Question Two: "What means can be taken to require 

 the railroad officials to be more strict in demanding certificates when 

 accepting nursery stock for transportation ? " 



If there is nothing special to be said about this matter, we will pass 

 •on, as the railroad officials are very willing to cooperate with the 

 inspector, and I believe have always sent notices of stock received 

 without certificates, or have held the stock, or refused to take it, be- 

 cause it was not accompanied by a certificate. 



Mr. Surface: Notifications of the receipt of foreign stock, how- 

 ever, sometimes do not reach us until the goods have passed through 

 9 



