Commissioner of Agriculture 175 



mean, of course, that there are not some trees that may show marks of scale, or 

 ■even contain some dead scale, as we could not expect the hand inspection to be 

 perfect in any blocks in which scale was found at our official inspection. Of course, 

 all of our stock is fumigated before being shipped, so that, as a general policy, I 

 would much prefer the nurserymen not to sell stock that had been infested. 



I think it is an excellent plan for nurserymen to take the extra precaution of 

 spraying nursery stock susceptible to the San Jose scale before fumigating, but 

 such precaution should not be held sufficient to render it safe for scale-marked stock 

 to be shipped interstate. I should be inclined to disapprove the certificate of any 

 state, the inspection authorities of which hold that such extra precautionary treat- 

 ment is sufficient, and to quarantine against nurseries depending upon it. 



I have your letter of June 7th and have read it carefully. I am inclosing a 

 statement of our requirements, which is satisfactory from our standpoint. We 

 have been accustomed to compel our nurserymen not only to spray infested blocks 

 for the scale, but to destroy all that show any scale marks whatever, and we are 

 inclined to hold that stock sent in to us should conform to as high a standard as this. 



We do not wish, therefore, to receive stock which has been sprayed with lime 

 and sulphur and followed with fumigation, if the same shows scale marks upon it. 

 In the first place, even by using the utmost precautions, it is impracticable to 

 guarantee that all scale will be destroyed ; and, in the second place, by requiring the 

 destruction of all scale-marked stock we come nearer to insuring freedom than 

 would be possible under the conditions that you describe. 



As to your inquiry concerning the shipment into this state of nursery stock 

 showing marks of San Jose scale, would say that, while we under no circumstances 

 would condemn or reject any stock simply showing the scale marks without finding 

 thereon live scale, this state in common with the requests sent out by nearly all 

 other states in the Union realizes the danger of shipping stock showing scale 

 marks, even though no live scale is in evidence. It is a fact, when scale has been 

 present, that even with the most careful spraying and fumigation and the most 

 searching inspection, there is a possibility that the scale, though present, may be 

 overlooked. I think the only absolutely safe guide in all instances would be to 

 avoid the shipment of such stock. 



The following is a brief summary of the laws and regulations of the United 

 States relative to importations, also of the several states and Canada, govern- 

 ing the inspection, certification and transportation of nursery stock. 



For further information correspondents are referred to the officials who 

 have charge of the work in the several states or countries. 



UNITED STATES. — All persons who intend to import trees or plants from 

 any foreign country should first apply for and receive a permit from the 

 Federal Horticultural Board, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, 

 D. C, under the Plant Quarantine Act of August 20, 1912. 



A permit should be applied for in advance. This permit should preferably 

 be taken out by the person who is to receive the goods at the final destina- 

 tion. A broker or commission merchant may take out a permit in his own 

 name, if he imports for his own account, or he may act as agent for and 

 take out the permit in the name of the actual purchaser. The importer must 

 see that each package on arrival at the port of entry bears the proper certi- 



