April, '12] SYMONS: ENFORCING FUMIGATION 221 



This is SO generally recognized that it is believed to be required by 

 all inspectors, and in fact is incorporated in all laws or rules and regu- 

 lations that are now in force in the several States, having any legisla- 

 tion over the distribution of nursery stock. 



While this is nominall}^ or legallj' true, as you may call it, yet how 

 many of us are assured that our instructions in this particular have 

 always been systematically carried out. 



In my experience the nurserymen have not looked upon the treat- 

 ment as wholly necessary, and in fact many of them even to this day 

 doubt the non-injurious effect of the treatment upon the stock, and 

 feel that one requiring same is a professional whim or a dead letter. 



IMoreover, there are many growers who vigorously oppose the 

 fumigation of their stock for fear that it lessens the vitality of their 

 trees. In such cases, the nurserymen, in some instances, have allowed 

 such growers to have their stock unfumigated, in order to make the 

 sale. 



The argument presented by the grower is that they already have 

 scale in their orchards and do not now fear it, therefore, they do not 

 mind buying trees that may be slightly infested, provided that they 

 are otherwise healthy and of good vigor. 



Under such conditions, it is readily seen that the nurseryman even 

 if he is satisfied that no injury will result, readily desires to acquiesce 

 to the demand of the grower as it saves him trouble and expense. 



In order to be in position to know of the character of stock distrib- 

 uted, the Board of Trustees supervising this work in Maryland, has 

 sought the cooperation of the nurserymen to the end that we now have 

 a regular paid assistant under our immediate direction, placed at the 

 large nurseries, during shipping season, to superintend fumigation 

 and other treatment of stock for distribution. By this means the 

 nurseryman has an expert at hand all the time for consultation on 

 insect and disease control, and is assured as far as possible of having 

 no irregularities bj^ laborers in the fumigation or other treatment of 

 the stock. 



This arrangement has worked satisfactorily during the past season, 

 and it is believed to be the only way by which the inspector can have 

 first hand knowledge of the character of stock distributed. Treat- 

 ment of stock at smaller nurseries is accomplished by sending assist- 

 ants to the nurseries at digging time. If such arrangement could be 

 effected in all the States, it is believed that we could largely improve 

 the general character of nursery stock distributed. 



Notwdthstanding our desire to assure the grower of receiving healthy 

 stock, and at the same time to aid the nurserymen in producing and 

 distributing it, there are some apparent inconsistencies in the require- 



