72 INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1909 AND IQIO. 
THE DANGER OF INTRODUCING THE GYPSY AND 
BROWN-TAIL MOTHS INTO MINNESOTA. 
A WarRNING TO FLorRIsts, NURSERYMEN AND ALL IMPORTERS OF 
STOCK FROM FRANCE OR HOLLAND. 
The danger of introducing these two European pests into Min- 
nesota should not be regarded too lightly, and all parties importing 
stock should feel the necessity of affording the inspector every 
possible chance to see that no nest of Brown-Tail moth, or eggs of 
Gypsy moth are on the shrubs, plants, trees or vines purchased 
abroad. Not only would the florists’ trade suffer, but all horticul- 
tural interests in this state would receive a serious setback if, through 
the indifference or neglect of an importer, either one or both of these 
pests should obtain a foothold here. 
We are pleased to say that, with a few exceptions, all importers 
appear willing, not only to report the arrival of stock from abroad 
but to assist the inspector in every way possible. But it is well to 
remember that it would only require one case of neglect, possibly, to 
distribute these pests over the entire state and neighboring states. 
The State Entomologist, who is also State Nursery Inspector, 
has been deputized by the Department of Agriculture at Washington 
to examine all imported stock coming intc Minnesota. Every box 
of imported stock consigned to a shipping company at New York, 
and destined for parties in this state, is reported to him from Wash- 
ington. Later, he receives notice from the collectors of customs in 
St. Paul and Minneapolis of such consignments as pass through their 
hands, and immediately communicates with the consignee. 
The presence of a foreign certificate of inspection upon these 
boxes is no guarantee that the stock is clean. Particularly is this 
true of France, where the inspection, up to recent date, has been 
almost farcical. The French government has promised to better 
