72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



Interstate shipments have varied Httle in number and quality 

 of stock from former years. Some have been below the Massa- 

 chusetts standard, and all such when found have either been 

 returned to the shipper or destroyed. 



As in other years particular attention has been given to the 

 examination of stock imported from other countries. 



Though we already have many insects and diseases which 

 have reached this country and have established themselves 

 here, there is no reason why others should be given an oppor- 

 tunity to enter by failure to examine stock brought in, and 

 every year dangerous insects and diseases are found by the 

 inspectors on imported stock and destroyed. It is probably 

 safe to say that in all probability some of these pests and 

 diseases will reach this country somewhere, perhaps through 

 some State where the inspection is carelessly made, but each 

 year they are kept out is a distinct gain to our agricultural 

 and horticultural interests. 



The possibility of the entrance of these foes of man into this 

 country in spite of all protective measures which can be taken 

 is so great that at a recent conference of workers on insect 

 pests and plant diseases it was voted to recommend to the 

 United States Federal Horticultural Board the establishment 

 of an absolute embargo on the importation into this country of 

 all plants except such as the Board, for sufficient reasons, should 

 see fit to exempt from the application of the embargo. Whether 

 this will be adopted by the Board is, of course, not yet known, 

 but it at least indicates the views of a body of men who have 

 given much study to the matter as to the liability of new pests 

 and diseases reaching this country in spite of every precaution 

 which can be taken. 



The following report on the import shipments received during 

 the year beginning December 1, 1915, and ending November 

 30, 1916, indicates the number and sources of the shipments, 

 and the pests and diseases found. 



During the year 594 shipments, comprising 5,181 cases, were 

 received. Inspection of 59 of these shipments (263 cases) has 

 not as yet been completed. In fact, most of them have not 

 reached their destinations, having only just arrived in this 

 country. Any pests or diseases found on these cannot therefore 

 be included in this report. 



