Part I] STATE NURSERY INSPECTOR. 69 



outbreaks as long as it is scattered throughout the State. Three 

 years ago the pine shoot moth was quite common on stock im- 

 ported from Holland, and in a few cases it had even obtained a 

 foothold in this country. In view of this fact it is very gratify- 

 ing to be able to state that this year only in isolated cases was 

 any trace of the pest noticeable. It is hoped that by another 

 year all evidence of the shoot moth will be eliminated. 



The importations from Europe have been seriously affected 

 this year by the war; yet several pests have been intercepted, 

 any one of which, if allowed to develop unchecked in this 

 country, might prove to be a serious menace, so that the im- 

 portance attached to the work accomplished here cannot be 

 over-estimated. A let-up on the foreign shipments has given 

 the department a greater opportunity to examine stock received 

 from other States, which in most cases has been of a superior 

 quality to that brought in during previous years. However, 

 a few shipments were found to be below the Massachusetts 

 standard, and in these cases the stock was either returned to 

 the consignor or destroyed. 



Nurserymen should familiarize themselves with the require- 

 ments of the States into which they wish to ship stock. Some 

 States require certificate of fumigation, some class strawberry 

 plants as nursery stock; license to sell stock in several States is 

 necessary; in many cases certificates of inspection of the State 

 where stock is grown must be filed in the State of destination. 

 At the present time five-leaved pines from Massachusetts can be 

 shipped only into Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. 



The inspection service has always been somewhat handi- 

 capped in its ability to obtain trained men. The majority of 

 the inspectors have been men who were just out of, or had still 

 to complete, their course in a college or university, and who 

 were willing to leave their studies temporarily in order to obtain 

 financial aid. It is men of this age who are now being called 

 by the government, and already ten who were available as in- 

 spectors have offered their services. This will be felt very 

 keenly during the coming year, but a perfect understanding 

 between the nurserymen and officials in carrying out the in- 

 spection, and a desire for co-operation on the part of each, will 

 greatly facilitate the inspection. 



Inspection of nursery stock from abroad has naturally taken 



