FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE NURSERY 



INSPECTOR. 



To the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture. 



I have the honor to present herewith the first annual re- 

 port of the State Nursery Inspector. 



The knowledge that much of the nursery stock sold in 

 Massachusetts is infested by injurious insect pests and fun- 

 gous diseases has for several years led to a desire on the part 

 of fruit growers and others interested to obtain some degree 

 of protection from such foes. During the winter of 1901- 

 1902 this desire resulted in the presentation to the Legisla- 

 ture of a bill requiring the inspection of all nursery stock 

 grown in the State, and making certain requirements for all 

 brought in from elsewhere. The text of the law enacted as 

 the result of the presentation of this bill is as follows : — 



[Acts of 1902, Chapter 495.] 

 An Act to authorize the state board of agriculture to 



APPOINT A state NURSERY INSPECTOR, AND TO PROVIDE FOR 

 the PROTECTION OF TREES AND SHRUBS FROM INJURIOUS 

 INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



Be it enacted, etc., as follows : 



Section 1. The state board of agiiciilture shall annually ap- 

 point some person qualified by scientific training and practical 

 experience, to be state nursery inspector, and he shall be respon- 

 sible to the board for the performance of his duties as prescribed 

 in this act. The said inspector may appoint such number of 

 deputies, not exceeding three, as he may deem necessary or ex- 

 pedient. 



Section 2. It shall be the duty of the state nursery inspector, 

 either personally or through his deputies, to inspect at least once 

 each year all nurseries or places in the state where nursery stock 

 is grown, sold or offered for sale, and if no dangerous insect or 

 fungous pests are found therein a certificate to that effect shall be 

 given. If such pests are found therein the owner of the stock 



