P.D. 123 19 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF PLANT PEST 

 CONTROL 



Nursery Inspection 



There has been little, if any, change in the policy and method of in- 

 spection during the season of 1926. 



It is of very great interest to the nurserymen of Massachusetts as well 

 as to the inspection service to have the Eastern Plant Conference Board 

 functioning smoothly at this time. This Board was recently formed to 

 act as a clearing house where problems arising between individual States 

 or between a State and the Federal Government could be ironed out; 

 also to act on State questions, such as quarantines between States. It is 

 recognized that State quarantines are sometimes impracticable and that 

 oftentimes the cause which might seem to necessitate a quarantine can 

 be eliminated in conference. Meetings have been held this year which 

 were well represented by the members — consisting of two from each 

 State. It has been conceded for a long time that one of the greatest hin- 

 drances and a great inconvenience to the nurserymen was the filing of 

 bonds and payment of license fees to certain States before nursery busi- 

 ness could be transacted therein. At a recent meeting of the Eastern 

 Plant Conference Board it was voted unanimously that these practices 

 should be eliminated, and we look for the various States to make the 

 necessary changes in their laws to bring this about. 



The successful culture of trees and shrubs has become a closely con- 

 tested battle against insects and diseases. Plants are subject to their 

 attacks thru all stages of growth. Very few persons realize the immense 

 loss annually caused by pests. It is because of this loss that the inspec- 

 tion of nurseries is so necessary. 



The field inspection started in May with the examination of the pines 

 for white pine blister rust. A small number of pines were found in- 

 fected, but as the previous reports have indicated, it is to be expected 

 that with the blister rust so prevalent throughout Massachusetts, we 

 must expect to find infection in the nurseries until proper safeguards are 

 established. To this end, we are maintaining around the large pine 

 growing nurseries, a Ribes-free zone. This zone or area eliminates all 

 red currants and gooseberries for a distance of 1500 feet from the nur- 

 sery, and black currants for a distance of one mile. It is planned to 

 establish similar zones around all nurseries as funds and time permit. 

 The black currant, Ribes nigrum, is recognized as a serious menace in 

 that it is very susceptible to the white pine blister rust. Because of its 

 susceptibility, the Department has deemed it wise to declare this plant 

 a public nuisance and recommend its elimination. The program for such 

 elimination has not as yet been outlined, but it is hoped that a great deal 

 will be accomplished through a publicity campaign. 



During July and August, the annual summer inspection of the grow- 

 ing stock was made by a force of ten inspectors. Conditions on the whole 

 were very satisfactory, and less scale infested plants were noted. It is 

 apparent that less deciduous stock is being grown than in previous years, 

 and while the acreage is fully as large as formerly, the space is now being 

 used for the growing of evergreen stock. Again this year, the gypsy 

 egg masses were found to be very prevalent on Cape Cod and in parts of 

 Bristol County. However, this pest has apparently been eliminated from 

 Berkshire County, and the Government has seen fit to raise the quaran- 

 tine there. 



A check of the property surrounding the nurseries showed them to 

 be quite free from pests, but where any were noticeable, proper steps 

 were taken to have them eradicatd. 



The Satin Moth which last year established itself as far west as Worces- 



