1298 



THE PROBLEM OF STOCKS FOR AMERICAN FRUIT GROWERS. 



By B. T. Galloway. 



For a good many years the Office of Foreign Seed 

 and Plant Introduction of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture has been engaged in bringing in plant material 

 that gave promise of value for stocks. Special atten- 

 tion has been given to fruit stocks, particularly 

 stocks for the apple, pear, peach, apricot and plum. 

 Since 1898 something over 400 types of pears have been 

 introduced and disseminated. Many types of peach and 

 plum have also been introduced and have been placed in 

 the hands of specialists and others for work in con- 

 nection with securing disease and insect resistance, 

 soil and climatic adaptability, and congeniality. 



Recently the Federal Horticultural Board announced 

 a proposed quarantine on nursery stock and other plants 

 and seeds imported into the United States. On and 

 after June 1, 1919, all plants and plant materials 

 will be excluded except two groups one of which will 

 be admitted without restrictions and regulations and 

 the other with restrictions and regulations. Fruits, 

 vegetables, cereals, and other plant products imported 

 for medicinal, food, or manufacturing purposes; and 

 field, flower, and vegetable seed will have unrestricted 

 entry,- unless on account of some dangerous disease 

 or insect, when there maybe issued either a temporary 

 or permanent quarantine. It is conceivable, for ex- 

 ample, that there might be a disease affecting the 

 lemon in a foreign country which would make it nec- 

 essary to quarantine against that country. The Fed- 

 eral Horticultural Board has issued a number of these 

 special quarantines and will no doubt continue to is- 

 sue them in cases of emergency. 



PLANTS ADMITTED UNDER RESTRICTIONS. 



The plants and plant materials that will be al- 

 lowed to come in under restrictions and regulations 

 are lily bulbs, lily of the valley, narcissus, hya- 

 cinths, tulips, and crocus. In case any of these ma- 

 terials are packed in sand or soil, the sand or soil 

 must previously be sterilized by heat in a manner 

 satisfactory to the Board. Seedling fruit stocks, 

 cuttings, scions, and buds of fruits for propagating 

 will also be admitted under regulations, together 



