FOREWORD 



The Plant Pest Control program in the Massachusetts Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture is designed to prevent the introduction and possible 

 spread of damaging insects and plant disease organisms within the 

 Commonwealth, 



Under the program the following activities are undertaken: 

 (1) the inspection of garden centers, greenhouses and nurseries and 

 the certification of plant material as to apparent freedom from plant 

 pests and diseases; (2) the issuance of nursery agents' licenses per- 

 mitting sales in Massachusetts of nursery stock from certified nurseries 

 in the United States; (3) the inspection and certification of plant 

 shipments consigned to other states and foreign countries; (4) the 

 inspection of plant material from other states; (5) the promulgation 

 and enforcement of plant quarantines; (6) collaboration with the U* 8. 

 Dept. of Agriculture in connection with the enforcement of federal 

 plant quarantines; (7) field surveys to determine the extent or status 

 of plant pest infestations; (8) the abatement of public nuisances rep- 

 resented by the actual presence of menacing plant pests; (9) public 

 relations activities. 



These various phases of this program are governed by state 

 law in Sections 16-31A inclusive. Chapter 128 G.L, Mass. Tercentenary 

 Edition as amended. 

 Personnel 



The division of Plant Pest Control is directed by an Asst. 

 Director, aided by a Supervising Nursery Inspector, and one permanent 

 Plant Pest Suppressor. During the period of July 1 to September 15, 

 6 to Sntemporary Plant Pest Suppressors are hired in order to inspect 

 the 600 establishments in this state. In most cases those hired are 

 Entomology students at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, 

 Mass. Not only does this help us accomplish our duty of inspection. 



