80 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



With the change of government and the rapid increase of population, 

 through the discovery of gold, a good home market was created and 

 orchard planting made rapid strides. The enterprising Americans 

 determined to have and grow the best fruits known, so imported trees 

 and plants from other countries, and with them came the pests. The 

 natural enemies of the latter were left behind in their native countries or 

 died on the way, so the scale bugs and other pests had a clear field and 

 spread rapidly. Unfortunately for the good name of California, some 

 of the pests were first scientifically described and named here, and 

 popular names were given that conveyed the impression to outsiders 

 that the insects were natives of this State. 



The State Board of Horticulture was created by an Act of the Legis- 

 lature to look after the fruit interests, and the Governor was given the 

 power to appoint the members. This Board was given authority to 

 make regulations for the purpose of preventing the spread of fruit tree 

 pests, and a subsequent Act gave it the appointment of an officer to 

 attend to quarantine work. 



I will briefly give you a list of some of the pests that have been 

 stopped at the threshold during the time that the Board has honored 

 me with this appointment. 



Each of the fruit-growing counties, as you are aware, has the power, 

 through its Supervisors, when petitioned, to appoint a County Board of 

 Horticulture that works in conjunction with the State Board in prevent- 

 ing the introduction of infested trees into its districts by rail. Where 

 the county officers have received the support of their Supervisors, good 

 work has been done, and the courts have sustained us. Ninety per cent 

 more money has been spent in trying to stamp out pests that were 

 formerly introduced into the State than has been expended in keeping 

 others out, and then we do not compute the enormous damage and loss 

 caused by their presence. 



When the quarantine regulations were enforced, various interests and 

 supposed rights came in conflict with them, and for a time we worked 

 along paths not strewn with flowers. Even now we run against bellicose 

 individuals who think we have no right to interfere with anything they 

 may bring. They finally conclude that we have the better of the argu- 

 ment, and retire, although not always gracefully. 



One of the most amusing incidents in my work was upon the arrival 

 of an old Scotch lady, who had been to Scotland on a visit and came 

 back by way of the Northern Pacific and steamer from the Sound. When 

 she came down the gang plank of the steamer, I noticed something 

 familiar and remarked that I wanted to look at her plants. She was 

 delighted that they should so soon attract attention upon their arrival, 

 and began to explain to me how much care she had bestowed on them 

 on the long voyage across the Atlantic and the great American conti- 



