SUPPRESSION OF INSECT PESTS AND PLANT DISEASES. 25 



we do see our way clear. I shall object, because I can not, as a uursery- 

 inau in this country, consent to form a law which would restrict trade 

 entirely. Every nurseryman imports more or less nursery stock, and 

 this section would cut it off entirely. I may be wrong. To save time 

 I will also refer to another part: " Shall be duly stamped or labeled." 

 How do you interpret that! Is every i)articular item to be ''duly 

 stamped or labeled!'' Sux:)pose I have 100 cases, when would that be 

 done? 



^Ir. BissELL. The Secretary of Agriculture would be authorized to 

 use discretion in such matters. 



Mr. Barky. Xursery stock is not like other goods. Prompt action 

 must be taken, and if you are going to leave the thing in this indefinite 

 shape I shall object to it. Do not think I am criticising this merely 

 for the j)urpose of criticising. These simply appear to me to be diffi- 

 culties in the way. Somebody may see a way out. 



Mr. Wakdell. I want to call the attention of the gentleman to the 

 fact that we have a quarantine in our State [California]. We do open 

 and examine goods. Usually they are goods in shipment for nursery- 

 men throughout the State. The material arrives at San Francisco and 

 much of it we have been compelled to quarantine. If our State can do 

 it, certainly the great United States can do it. In regard to feasibilitj^ 

 and practicability of inspecting these goods, that is a simple matter. 

 Copies of the laws will be sent to men making shipments from foreign 

 countries, and they will understand that trees and plants must be so 

 placed, must be so packed, that they can be readily opened and 

 inspected, otherwise they will be subjected to inevitable delay. Copies 

 of the regulations will be printed and sent out, as a matter of course, 

 so that no man will have to act in the dark, and no man can reasonably 

 plead ignorance. Goods will be packed so that they can be readily 

 inspected and readily treated if necessary, and that, I rei)eat, is a very 

 simx)le matter. We expect the Secretary of Agriculture will meet this 

 easily. It is not necessary to saj^ how goods shall be packed. They 

 may be i^laced in boxes with lids which could be opened and closed 

 just as a trunk is inspected at the customhouse. 



It is an easy matter to paste on the case a certificate stating that it has 

 passed inspection. This is all that the bill anticipates. The gentleman, 

 of course, recognizes the fact that we have struggled with these ques- 

 tions for many hours, and they have been fully discussed in committee. 

 I do not see any reason why the United States Government can not 

 quarantine against any dangerous insect, and do it efficiently, and do 

 it so as not to inconvenience the nurseryman. In my State we are 

 constantly inspecting goods, opening cases, etc., and if any contain 

 injurious insects or disease they are promptly destroyed. What has 

 been done can be done again. 



Mr. Barry. The last speaker stated that there was no difficulty. I 

 can see very grave difficulties. Goods arrive say iu the middle of 



