208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



considered as covering the brown-tail moth. With one ex- 

 ception, no gypsy moths were found in any of the places 

 inspected, and it would seem probable that the condition of 

 this pest with reference to the nurseries has not materially 

 changed since the last report. 



The San Jose scale has been as much as ever in evidence, 

 and the past summer has been favorable for its rapid increase 

 and spread. The main source of nursery infestation, how- 

 ever, has been its introduction on certificated stock from cer- 

 tain other States. The inspector now has records of thirty 

 cases where living scale was found on such stock soon after its 

 receipt from outside the State. Of course such stock when 

 discovered by the inspectors is at once destroyed, but most 

 of it is bought for immediate delivery to fill orders. As a 

 result, the scale is almost certain to be distributed to some 

 extent in this way on trees and shrubs which have never been 

 seen by the inspector, and which he therefore cannot be held 

 responsible for. What may be termed an interstate courtesy 

 exists between the inspecting officials of different States ; 

 this could hardly be otherwise under existing conditions ; 

 but it is certain that as a result of this Massachusetts each 

 year receives quite an amount of stock which is infested. 

 Virginia some years ago experienced conditions similar to 

 this, and attempted to determine what stock should be 

 admitted, and what should not, with reference to the States 

 from which it came ; but so many difficulties arose in carry- 

 ing out this practice that it seems doubtful if anything of the 

 kind would be practicable in Massachusetts. Aside from this, 

 the control of the San Jose scale in Massachusetts nurseries 

 presents few difficulties, and has in fact ceased to worry the 

 inspector, as, if time enough to permit of thorough inspec- 

 tion can be taken, it is doubtful if infested trees would fail 

 to be discovered and destroyed. 



The real danger to-day to Massachusetts from this scale 

 does not come from the nurseries, but from the orchards and 

 ornamental shrubs outside. Though this is hardly within the 

 province of the nursery inspector, it is a very important mat- 

 ter to all who are interested in horticulture in the State, and 

 a brief outline of the present conditions is accordingly given. 



