Commissioner of Agriculture 195 



State of New York, so that the movement of this material was 

 blocked at both ends. This explains why no violations were un- 

 covered. 



The only delay in releasing shipments was due to the fact that 

 the waybills showed the point of origin to be within the infested 

 area and it was necessary to establish the history of the stock be- 

 fore releasing it without an inspection. This was done with as 

 much dispatch as possible. 



It seems desirable to emphasize that the telephone reporting of 

 these car lots by the railroads, and the consequent release of the 

 same, by reason of delay, may easily become a source of great 

 annoyance to these companies. Often when the Department is 

 advised, the cars are in transit upon floats from Hoboken to 

 Long Island City, or some similar routing. If the information 

 is returned within half an hour, it may prevent breaking up trains 

 and switching cars to sidings until it is determined that inspection 

 is not desired, whereupon the trains are again made up. By 

 prompt reports from the Department this unnecessary work may 

 be eliminated. 



It is necessary each day to confirm in writing, to the terminal 

 reporting the shipment, those released by the Department, so 

 that, should an oversight occur on the part of the railroad clerk, 

 an unnecessary charge for demurrage damages may not be ac- 

 credited to the Department of Agriculture. 



It was ordered that all cars found in apparent violation should 

 be inspected. Where cars were held to determine their origin 

 and routing, inspection was offered the consignee. This often 

 avoided a delay which might mean a financial loss. The following 

 cars of trees, as per our instructions to the railroads, were re- 

 ported : 



From New England Ill cars. 



From Canada 18 cars. 



From New York 7 cars. 



From Nova Scotia 1 car. 



From Pennsylvania 1 car. 



In addition there were four consignments of way lots, totaling 

 481 bundles of table Christmas trees, for which the following 

 points of origin were given : 



