February, '12] marlatt: recent importations 73 



be exceedingly useful both to nurserymen and inspectors, and would 

 certainly help to put these two parties into more sympathetic relations 

 in the search for their common enemies. 



Alas! after having drawn up an outline of what I had to say, a copy 

 of the programme reached me which showed that practically all of my 

 thoughts and queries were already provided for, and many more 

 besides. We will, therefore, do well to proceed wdth the business of 

 the Association at this, its Tenth Annual Meeting, which will, let us 

 hope, be one of great pleasure and profit. 



SOME RECENT NEW IMPORTATIONS 



By C. L. Marlatt, Bureau of Enlomuh gy, U. S. Department of Agriculture 



It is not necessary nor is it possible to report fully on importations 

 of new pests during the last few years. To emphasize the need of 

 protection at the earliest possible moment, a few^ recent records, or 

 recent destructive work of older importations, may be noted. 



CONDITION OF IMPORTED NURSERY STOCK, 1910-1911 



Fewer brown-tail moth nests were received on imported stock 

 during the season just ended (1910-1911), largely owing to the agita- 

 tion in this country and the more strict supervision by foreign govern- 

 ments, and doubtless particularly to the natural fluctuation in the 

 numbers of this pest abroad. These nests are, however, still coming 

 in, some 100 nests being reported as received in New^ York State and 

 2 in Ohio. Reports have not been received from other states. The 

 danger from this condition is perhaps even greater than when the nests 

 are coming in more abundantly. The infrequent finding of these nests 

 will naturally lead to a laxity of examination and result in an even 

 greater risk of infested material being passed. 



The Department's connection with the w^ork is the same as before. 

 The voluntary reports received from the customs officers and the 

 railroad companies have been transmitted to inspection officials of the 

 several states. These reports are by no means complete, and can not 

 be complete under existing conditions. 



The inspection notices sent to the Bureau of Entomology by the 

 customs officials of the various ports of entry for the last fiscal year 

 (July 1, 1910, to June 30, 1911) indicate over 6,000 different shipments 

 and some 90,000 separate parcels. This, however, includes bulbs, 

 orchids, and greenhouse stock, as well as nursery stock proper. The 



