18 P.D. 123 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF PLANT PEST 



CONTROL 



Nursery Inspection 



Nursery inspection, a public service which benefits all citizens of the 

 State, is required not so much for the good of the nurseryman as for the 

 protection of the individual who buys the stock. It is to the interest of 

 the nurseryman to maintain his plants in as high a state of health as 

 possible, and for this reason a general adoption of regular control meas- 

 ures is urged, to bring about a clean condition of nursery plants. It is 

 the duty of the inspector to detect the presence of pests and to notify the 

 nurseryman who can take the necessary steps to eliminate the trouble or 

 establish reasonable control. The accomplishment of pest control in the 

 nursery is largely the concern of the nurseryman, assisted by instruction 

 and cooperation from the inspector. 



This past year, the Division of Plant Pest Control inspected 248 nur- 

 series and issued certificates covering these. It was necessary to inspect 

 a reasonable distance around each nursery, thereby establishing an im- 

 mune belt. It is absolutely essential to have such a clean area around 

 the nurseries. Whenever pests are found in this belt, notice is served on 

 the property owner, giving a specified time for said owner to abate what- 

 ever nuisance is present. In 1927, most of the owners complied with re- 

 quests to clean up. It was, however, necessary in a few instances for the 

 Division to enter and perform the work. In general, the condition of the 

 nurseries was exceptionally good. Very little scale infested stock was 

 found. It was also noticeable that the stock entering Massachusetts from 

 other States was especially free from scale. 



Infection of white pine blister rust was found in two nurseries. In 

 order that the larger nurseries of the State might be better protected 

 against this disease, the Division is endeavoring to maintain a Ribes free 

 zone for 1500 feet around nurseries growing any considerable amount of 

 white pine. As an additional precaution, all black currants are removed 

 for a distance of one mile from the nursery. On April 1 the black cur- 

 rant was declared a nuisance in Massachusetts. In order to aid the eradi- 

 cation of this plant and to better acquaint the public with it, a circular 

 was prepared and issued, and several thousand copies were distributed 

 through the Massachusetts Forestry Association and the County Exten- 

 sion Services. It will probably be at least two more years before this 

 work is completed. 



The menace to the white pine forests of this country by blister rust, 

 needs little comment to anyone who has had an opportunity to see this 

 disease in operation. The greatest care should be exercised to check the 

 spread of blister rust. 



While the gypsy moths were much more prevalent this year than last, 

 the immune belt prevented any serious infestation in the nurseries. 



The Satin Moth which was first noticed in this country a few years 

 ago and which attacks only willows and poplars, is very seldom found in 

 the nurseries. This insect is considered a free flier, and has spread rap- 

 idly within the last three years, the scouting this past summer showing 

 it to be as far West as Holyoke. It was noticeable in several cases that 

 the degree of infestation had increased. This pest, however, is easily 

 controlled by spraying with arsenate of lead in June. 



A disease, new to this country was brought to the attention of the 

 Division early this summ.er. It is commonly called Larch canker and was 

 found to be quite prevalent on larches on the estate of Nathan Mathews, 

 at Hamilton. Very little is known about the disease, but in all probability 

 it was imported from Scotland. A careful study is being made of the 



