RECOMMENDATIONS 



In order to make the work of the State Board of Horticulture 

 more effective, the following recommendations are made to the Legis- 

 lature of the State of Montana : 



1. A law should be passed providing for the inspection of fruits 

 and vegetables with the authority to condemn and destroy any ship- 

 ments if the physical condition of such fruits and vegetables render 

 them unfit for food. A record of such inspection should be taken per 

 se as evidence in court of the condition of the produce in question at 

 the time of inspection. Such inspection would safeguard the inter- 

 ests of the shipper, the dealer, the railroads and the consumer. In- 

 spection need be given only upon the request of one of the parties con- 

 cerned or upon the request of the public. A provision of this sort 

 would not to any extent overlap the work of the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture as it maintains only one office in the state. 

 The funds required to operate such a system of inspection would not be 

 large, since the present organization of the horticultural inspection 

 iorce could be used in its entirety. In making inspections' upon request 

 it would be wise to charge a small fee in order to cover the actual 

 cost of the work. 



2. It is very necessary that the salary of the clerk in the State 

 Horticulturist's office be increased. It is impossible to retain compe- 

 tent help at the present salary of one thousand dollars per year as 

 provided by law. It is respectfully asked that the law relating to 

 this matter be changed abolishing the position of clerk and creating the 

 position of secretary with the duties of clerk and stenographer, which 

 position shall carry a salary not to exceed one thousand eight hun- 

 dred dollars per year. 



3. On account of the connection which the common barberry 

 has with the spread of wheat rust, a law should be passed declaring 

 barberry bushes a menace and making it unlawful to harbor them on 

 one's premises, giving power to the State Board of Horticulture to 

 eradicate them wherever found. It is not native to the state and 

 the plantings of this shrub are not extensive. It is useful only for 

 ornamentation, but other plants may be substituted for it which 

 are not a menace to farm crops. 



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