U. S. A. When, however, the list is examined, it will be found that 
three, comprising one beneficial species (Philonthus politus), and one 
pest (Hepialus lupulinus) must have come in with the soil. Another 
(Apion ulicis) is neutral and feeds only on a weed. Another (Apetela 
auricoma) is certainly an error, as the insect is on the verge of extinc- 
tion in Britain. Still another (Z¥mphytus cinctus) is a Rose feeder of no 
importance and in any case easily amenable to control, while moreover, its 
presence in future shipments can easily be avoided. 
So far as the introduction of new and dangerous pests into the U. S. 
A. is concerned, the interceptions must be regarded as something of a 
triumph for the British Service. 
In a letter dated March 4, 1919, Mr. Houston [then Secretary of 
Argiculture] admitted that, as regards Europe, England stands in a some- 
what exceptional position and would be regarded as less dangerous to the 
United States than other countries, were it not that England is such a 
very large distributor of plants grown abroad. The development of the 
British Pathological Service would render it quite feasible to guard 
against the re-export of alien plants from England and there are, there- 
fore, clear grounds for discrimination by the United States in favor of 
English home-grown produce. 
The English Pathological Service Today 
Whatever grounds for suspicion the Federal Horticultural Board 
may have had in connection with plants from England, the risks have 
very much decreased owing to the improvement which has been made in 
the pathological service of England during recent years. 
The various elements of this service work together in complete co- 
operation. They have recently carried out a Plant Disease Survey of the 
entire country, and are continually engaged in cooperative measures for 
reducing the damage done by plant pests. Under the general direction 
of the Ministry, there is in existence a staff consisting of about 40 trained 
entomologists and mycologists engaged in fighting plant pests and in- 
sects, while there are also 37 inspectors, specially trained in their subject 
whose business it is to enforce the various legal measures now found 
necessary for preventing the spread of pests within the country. It 
can, therefore, fairly be claimed, not only that the English Phytopatho- 
logical Service is in a satisfactory condition, but also that, both in its 
organization and in its personnel, it is in advance of that of most other 
countries in the world. 
There should, therefore, be no grounds whatever for complaint on 
the part of the U. S. A., to the end that regulations, though scientifically 
safe, cannot be carried out owing to the lack of sufficient scientific and 
trained staff. 
English Plant Import Regulations 
Under the Destructive Insects and Pests Order of 1921 the free entry 
of plants into England and Wales is allowed provided they are accom- 
panied by a health certificate, issued after official inspection in the coun- 
try of origin, to the effect that the plants are free from certain scheduled 
serious diseases, and healthy as regards pests in general. Provided the 
inspection is properly performed by experts in the exporting country, and 
the certificates conscientiously given, there is little fear of danger from 
the health of the plants, but the risks can be still further reduced if a 
second inspection takes place at the ports of the receiving country, and 
this double system of inspection is now in operation. The order has not 
been in operation sufficiently long to enable a precise estimate to be made 
of the risks involved, but it is clear from the season’s working that the 
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