NURSERY INSPECTION 



After July 1st. when the new fiscal year for the state begins, 

 this division starts the annual inspection of all nurseries through- 

 out the Commonwealth engaged in the growing and selling of nursery 

 stock. 



As required by Section 17 of Chapter 128, of the General Laws, 

 each nursery must have an inspection of the growing stock for 

 harmful insects and diseases. If the plants are found free of such 

 pests a growers' certificate is issued permitting sales of that 

 stock until June 30th. of the following year. 



Each year approximately 500 nurseries ar^ inspected by the 7 

 temporary nursery inspectors hired for this purpose. In most cases 

 they are either school teachers or entomology students majoring in 

 this field getting on the job training. 



Those nurseries which ship plants to other parts of the Common- 

 wealth and to other states need to take their new license to a 

 printer and have copies made and attach a copy to each shipment made, 



Most states require that a copy of their growers' certificate 

 accompany shipments of nursery stock into their state. Some states 

 charge nurserymen from out of state a fee to sell stock in their 

 state, however, Massachusetts works on a reciprocal basis with all 

 other states by not charging nurserymen of other states a fee to 

 do business here. 



While most nurseries are inspected during July and August, the 

 responsibility of checking nurseries for harmful insects and dis- 

 eases goes on throughout the year and whenever new firms are located, 



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