phasize the fact that therein our aims and interests are identical. But is - 
it not possible that, notwithstanding all its foresight, sincerity, and com- 
mendable desire to effect much needed improvement over early conditions 
in respect to plant importation, it has brought about results that it did 
not foresee and set in motion forces of which it had no conception? 
The energetic boy in the cartoon who, watching a mosquito alight 
on his sleeping father’s nose, picks up a hammer and smites with all his 
strength, is impelled, no doubt, by the laudable desire to do a good, sure 
job. Certainly, he destroys the insect. But can we approve such heroic 
measures as a general thing? 
A tourniquet may prove a life saver if applied promptly to a bleed- 
ing artery—but why let it result in the loss of a finger, arm or leg, sim- 
ply because it was drawn too tightly or left on too long? 
A Federal Horticultural Board which, as Secretary Wallace has 
pointed out, might better be called a “Plant Quarantine Board,” since 
its object is the prevention of the introduction of pests of all kinds of 
plants—agricultural as well as horticultural—is a necessity in these days 
when the isolation of any one country is both impossible and undesirable; 
it can do a great and valuable work; in its work it should make pro- 
vision for the cooperation and assistance of practical growers; and it 
can and should similarly extend the hand of cooperation to them; it 
should exercise the right of inspection and certification of plant impor- 
tations at all main ports of entry; it should impose specific quarantines 
when and for as long as a particular and obvious danger exists; it should 
work in close harmony with corresponding boards of recognized standing 
in other countries, with a view to effecting reciprocal arrangements as to 
inspection, certification, etc. Finally, it should be provided with adequate 
funds, so that it may afford to the agriculture and horticulture of its 
country reasonable protection, without suffocating them with regulations 
and restrictions or destroying the initiative of either educational, indi- 
-vidual or commercial interests. 
Here is the platform of Tur Frorists Excuance. We submit it to 
the American people and to Secretary Henry C. Wallace and appeal to 
him—not to the F. H. B.—for full and just consideration. " 
' 
Plant Quarantines in Great Britain and America 
The formal and comprehensive presentations made at the May 15 confer- 
ence were those of the S. A. F. Tariff and Legislation Committee, by Mr. McHut- 
chison; the Committee on Horticultural Quarantine (in ‘behalf of amateur and 
scientific interests) by Mr. J. Horace McFarland; Belgium, by Mr. Charles 
Pynaert, president of the Chambre Syndicate des Horticulteurs Belge; Holland, 
by Messrs. E. van Slogteren and van Poeteren; and Great Britain, by Mr. William 
G. Lobjoit, Controller of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
The larger part of the latter’s address follows, only that part having been 
omitted that merely reviews the history of plant quarantine legislation in this 
country as it was observed and interpreted in England. The fact that Mr. Lob- 
joit’s office and responsibilities correspond almost exactly with those of Dr. Mar- 
latt, chairman of the F. H. B., and that he is giving England adequate protection 
without imposing any of the excessive and destructive restrictions that have 
been put in force in this country, renders his careful, restrained but highly 
significant statement all the more interesting and important. In a general way 
it also reflects the attitude of the other European countries, especially insofar 
as they are of one mind regarding the desirability of increased international 
trade in all directions in horticultural products—always with thorough, well 
organized mutual protection through systems of inspection and certification of 
all shipments of plants. 
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