368 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 4 



and which are subject to infestation by species of insects injurious to 

 horticultural interests, should be defined as public nuisances whether 

 or not injurious insects actually exist thereon and it should be the duty 

 of the County Entomologist with the approval of the county commis- 

 sioners to condemn any such plants, trees or shrubs when necessary 

 to protect said interests. 



8. Regulations should be included in the state law governing the 

 importation of plants into the state of Florida. It should be required 

 that importations of plants be accompanied by a certificate of inspec- 

 tion from an authorized state or government entomologist or inspector; 

 also by a complete invoice from the shipper showing the contents of 

 the shipment and the place where the plants were grown. Any per- 

 son, persons or common carriers bringing or causing to be brought 

 into the state plants of any kind should be required to hold such plants, 

 immediately notifying the County Entomologist or the State Entomol- 

 ogist in case no County Entomologist has been appointed. It should be 

 the duty of the County or State entomologist to inspect such imported 

 plants within twenty-four hours after receiving notice of their arrival. 

 Such plants should not be delivered until the common carrier and con- 

 signee have each been furnished with a certificate of release by the 

 proper entomologist or his duly authorized agent. If imported plants 

 are found to be infested with injurious insects which are not of general 

 occurrence in the county, the entomologist should be authorized to 

 condemn or disinfect. In the former case the plants should immedi- 

 ately be shipped out of the state by the consignee or should be 

 destroyed under the direction of the County or State entomologist at 

 the expense of the consignee. If in the opinion of the entomologist 

 fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas or treatment with an insecticide 

 will render the plants innocuous, the expense of such treatment as 

 he may decide upon should be borne by the consignee. 



9. The most important duty of the county entomologists in citrus 

 fruit producing counties should be defined in the state law as promot- 

 ing the horticultural interests of their respective counties by supervis- 

 ing the control of insect pests, particularly whiteflies, bj^ organizing 

 and aiding in the organization of citrus growers into local protective 

 associations, in acting as advisors to such associations and individual 

 owners and in cooperating with them in bringing insect pests into 

 a condition of control and in maintaining this condition. 



10. The State Crop Pest Commission should be required to meet 

 once a year for the transaction of business. The State Entomologist 

 should be designated as ex officio chairman and a vice-chairman and 

 a secretary should be elected by the members. The commission 

 should be authorized to declare quarantines prohibiting the impor- 



