AGRICULTURE. LABOR AND INDUSTRY 11 



Inspection of Fruit Shipments: During the period commencing 

 July 1, 1920 and ending June 30, 1922 sliipments aggregating 2,251,121 

 boxes of fruit were inspected to prevent the introduction of insect pests 

 and diseases of deciduous trees into the state. No new insect pests or 

 diseases have been introduced into the state during this period. 



In addition to our inspection for insect pests and diseases the de- 

 partment has issued certificates as to grade on approximately 300 cars 

 of apples. Practically all of the Montana Mcintosh apples shipped to 

 the New York market have been certified to by this department. The 

 value of this work is shown by the reception of the Mcintosh in New 

 York. Its reputation is second to none and the high standard main- 

 tained has enabled it to command the top market price throughout its 

 entire season. Under the agreement between this department and the 

 Fruits and Vegetable Inspection service of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, joint state and federal inspection certificates at 

 shipping point will be issued in the future. During the past two years 

 twelve carloads of nursery stock, together with the smaller shipments, 

 totaling 485,273 plants, were inspected and 538 plants were condemned. 



The present method of handling this work we do not consider at 

 all satisfactory. The work is being done by inspectors located at some 

 twenty-four points in the state. The men work on a fee basis and 

 receive the amount of fees collected for the inspections made. It is 

 difficult to get men who are competent to make these inspections, and 

 impossible at many of these points to unpack a shipment of nursery 

 stock and repack it properly with the facilities at hand. Inspection of 

 nursery stock at points of entrance into the state, is now proposed. 



Serrice With Potatoes: At the request of the potato growers of 

 the state the commissioner of agriculture entered into an agreement 

 with the Fruits and Vegetables Inspection Service of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture under which our inspectors are licensed to 

 issue joint state and federal grade certificates on apples and potatoes 

 at shipping point. The certificates issued being joint state and federal 

 are accepted as prima facie evidence in all courts of the United States. 



The federal department placed a super\asor for some three months 

 in the state, the state paying his salary and expenses during that time. 

 Some 22 men are now qualified to inspect potatoes at shipping points 

 and to issue joint state and federal certificates. The results have shown 

 that the service is well worth while and in time will be used generally 

 over the entire state. It enables this department to give a statewide 

 service and does not confine activities to western Montana. 



Inspection of Seed Lahels: The enforcement of the seed law has 

 been handled by this department at very slight expense. Samples of 

 grain and forage crop seed from some 54 dealers in 27 different towns 

 in the state were taken and sent to the seed laboratory at the State 

 college at Bozeman for analysis. With very few exceptions we find the 

 law requiring the labeling of seed offered for sale in Montana has been 

 complied with. 



3Iontana Qnai'antines : There are four quarantines established by 

 the state of Montana which have been rigidly enforced, covering the 

 alfalfa weevil, white pine blister rust, barberry and tuber moth. As the 

 greatest portion of the quarantine work is handled through Butte, 

 J. A. Fossum, inspector at that point, was appointed chief quarantine 

 officer. 



Orchard Inspection: During the past two years the department 

 has continued the work of orchard inspection. Inspectors are making 

 personal visits to the different orchards in their districts and acting 

 in an advisory capacity upon all matters pertaining to better horticul- 



