THE POTATO QUARANTINE. 11 



tide of trade between the two nations, it is very difficult to prevent 

 transshipments from the quarantined country through the ports of 

 the nonquarantmed country unless special measures are taken by 

 the governments concerned to regulate such trade. 



Finally, it is impossible to foresee all the conditions that will arise 

 in the course of international commerce. Shipments come from new 

 sources and may bring parasites hitherto unknown to which existing 

 regulations may not apply. An example is afforded by some small 

 importations of potatoes from South America in 1913, which were 

 found infested with new species of weevils, more dangerous than any 

 previously known, which tunnel through the tuber and destroy its 

 value without greatly impairing its appearance. 1 This finding em- 

 phasizes the necessity of maintaining a careful watch over all pota- 

 toes coming from South or Central American sources. Effective 

 regulations are therefore to be preferred to quarantines, in order to 

 permit the most complete protection against the introduction of 

 parasites without hampering trade more than is necessary. 



A step in this direction has been taken by the issuance of the fol- 

 lowing order applying to potatoes the provisions of the nursery stock 

 regulations, under the plant quarantine act: 



United States Department op Agriculture, 



Opfice op the Secretary, 

 Federal Horticultural Board. 



Order Covering Admission of Foreign Potatoes under Restriction. 



The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the unrestricted importation 

 from any foreign country of the common or Irish potato grown in the Dominion of 

 Canada, Newfoundland, Great Britain, Ireland, Continental Europe, and other foreign 

 countries may result in the entry into the United States, its Territories and Districts, 

 of injurious potato diseases, including the powdery scab (Spongospora nibterranea) , 

 and injurious insect pests. 



Now, therefore, I, David F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture, under authority 

 conferred by section 5 of the act of Congress approved August 20, 1912, known as 

 ''The Plant Quarantine Act" (37 United States Statutes at Large, page 315), do 

 hereby determine and declare that on and after January 15, 1914, common or Irish 

 potatoes imported or offered for import into the United States or any of its Territories 

 or Districts shall be subject to all the provisions of sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of said act of 

 Congress. 



Done at Washington this 22d day of December, 1913. 



Witness my hand and the seal of the United States Department of Agriculture. 



[seal.] David F. Houston, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



■ ' Pierce, W. Dwight. Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 1, no. 4, p. 347-352, pi. 3, 1914. 



