260 THE POTATO 



aflfairs that this bill was not made a law. The 

 part which applies to potatoes was attached to an 

 omnibus bill covering all parts of nursery stock. 



The bill was opposed by importers of nursery 

 stock, who do not want to be bothered with an 

 inspection that will protect the American grower 

 from foreign pests. 



As drawn up by the attorney for the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, a trifling mistake occurred 

 — so that when it was read Congressman Mann 

 of Illinois made a funny speech calling attention to 

 this error. The bill was then held up, and the 

 American potato grower is without protection. 



The legislative end of farm affairs has been 

 badly neglected in the past, but with increasing 

 interest in agriculture this should be remedied 

 in the immediate future. 



Following up this matter during the winter of 

 1911-1912, further consideration was secured in 

 Congress, and a bill prohibiting the importation 

 of all kinds of diseased farm produce and nursery 

 stock has been introduced. 



During this past winter, however, many mil- 

 lions of bushels of potatoes from Europe have 

 been imported, and a bulletin has been sent out 

 warning against the use of these foreign potatoes 

 for seed. 



