10 P.D .123 



REPORT OF DIVISION OF PLANT PEST CONTROL AND FAIRS 



The inspections in the Massachusetts nurseries are made in order that we might 

 prevent the spread of insect pests and plant diseases. This is accomplished by a 

 careful examination of all growing plants offered for sale and the licensing of all 

 stock brought in from other States. These inspections also assure the purchaser of 

 clean, healthy stock. Each nursery is inspected at least once each year and several 

 inspections are made in the larger nurseries during the growing season. 



The first annual inspection is made early in the spring at which time all five-leafed 

 pines are examined to determine whether or not they are infected with the white 

 pine blister rust. This disease is occasionally found, but only in limited numbers. 

 The surroundings of establishments growing five-leafed pines are carefully examined 

 for a distance of 1200 feet from the growing stock and Ribes (currant and gooseberry 

 bushes) are not permitted to be grown in this area. 



During the spring and fall an inspection is made of stock sent into the state from 

 outside nurseries. This is accompanied by certificates from the state of origin and 

 is usually free from pests. Whenever it is found that this stock is not up to the 

 Alassachusetts standard, it is either subject to treatment, returned to the consignor 

 or destroyed. 



The examination of the growing stock in our nurseries this season showed it to 

 be in excellent condition. The policy of not allowing infested stock to remain in the 

 nurseries (and a source of infestation) has for the past several years been very helpful. 

 It has made the inspection less burdensome, both to the inspector and the nurseryman 

 and has eliminated a dangerous source of infestation. Considerable time is spent in 

 maintaining a clean area outside the nurseries, as a protection, and the results fully 

 justify this practice. There are 330 nurseries in Massachusetts holding grower's cer- 

 tificates permitting them to sell nursery stock. 



The Japanese Beetle has been found in all of the New England States, but is not 

 as yet so prevalent in Massachusetts as to cause any appreciable damage. Infestations 

 as reported to this department are usually on ornamental plants and may be controlled 

 by spraying, trapping or hand picking. We have not as yet had our attention called 

 to infestations heavy enough to cause defoliation of a single tree. Since this insect 

 passes a part of its life in the soil, it can be controlled there. Treating the soil with 

 arsenate of lead at the rate of 10 lbs. per 1,000 square feet of ground, is a satisfactory 

 control. The department scouts commercial establishments for Japanese Beetles 

 during July and August, in order to eliminate the possibility of spreading the insects 

 on plants consigned to points outside the known infested area. 



Infestations of the European Corn Borer were very much reduced in 1940. Many 

 growers reported fewer borers in sweet corn than had been in evidence for several 

 years. Federal and state surveys confirmed this. Many factors could have contri- 

 buted to the reduction, but quite likely much of it can be credited to the fall plowing. 

 The Massachusetts law requires that corn stubble be plowed or destroyed by Decem- 

 ber 1. The department is enforcing this law vigorously. A corps of twenty inspectors 

 make a thorough canvass starting December 1 and report all violations to this office. 

 Hearings are held throughout the winter, at which time the violators are asked to 

 appear and explain their failure to comply with the regulation. Fewer violations were 

 reported this year than last, and it is hoped that the number will decrease each year. 



The Dutch Elm Disease is within a few miles of Massachusetts, both to the West 

 in New York State and South in Connecticut, but as yet has not been found in this 

 state. The control in the states where it is known to be present is very encouraging. 



Apiary Inspection. 



All apiaries in which American foulbrood had been found in 1939, were reinspected 

 in 1940. In most instances, these apiaries showed a marked reduction in or a complete 

 disappearance of the disease and in none of these localities has the disease spread. 

 This reinspection reveals a steady improvement in formerly diseased areas. Other 

 bee diseases are seldom encountered today and cause slight damage in Massachusetts. 



As in the preceding two years, the established policy was one of "area-clean-up". 

 As fast as the disease has been eliminated or brought under control, it has been 

 possible to extend inspection in adjacent localities. Thus in 1940, it was possible 



