4 
N r kSKRv ixsi>]-:cT]()N 
If our ap])ropriation would ])ermit, a winter ins])ection of apple 
ami cane stock while in the cellar, would be helpful in this con- 
nection. 
We have inspected 120 nurseries this year, of which nurseries 
115 ha\e received certihcates, the remaining' four not having as 
yet ])aid the legal fee and therefore not having as yet been so 
faA’ored ; also dealers’ certihcates have been granted to eight deal- 
ers. Collections have been made to the amount of v$625, tvhich has 
been turned in to the State Treasury and recei])t received for same. 
IMPORTED STOCK. 
In the matter of imi)orted stock, it is sur])rising to note that in 
spite of the war, and all that it means to Belgium, the importations 
of azaleas this fall have been nearly as extensi^'e as in years previ- 
ous to 1914. ddie azrdeas arriving from Belgium in large numbers 
lun'e reached Minnesota in excellent condition, showing every 
evidence of care in cultivation, digging, and ])acking. Cases of 
im])orted stock, including azaleas and ornamentals, to the number 
of 594 boxes, have been ins])ected to date, representing ap])roxi- 
mately 518,330 ])lants. 
ddie allies ha\'e placed a very effectual stop])er on im])ortations 
from Cermany, the Belgian and we believe also the Holland dealers 
having to make affidavit that the stock to be ship])ed via the Eng- 
lish channel has been grown in one or the other of these two 
countries. 
h'urther, the amount in cash for which each azalea shipment 
is sold has to be deposited in an Ifnglish bank to remain there 
until after the war. Quoting from a statement in “American 
hb'uits,” when this is done, a “permit may be issued allowing free 
])assage for such shijunent. According to a letter from a Dutch 
hrm of growers, after this became known, the Belgian Exporters’ 
Association was notilied by the German authorities, who have pos- 
session of that ])art of Belgium where these ])lants are grown, that 
in the circumstances export would not be allowed.” Yet, in spite 
of this prohibitive decree, Minnesota has been receiving large con- 
signments from Belgium as abene noted. The 594 cases above 
mentioned came from the following countries: heroin Belgium, 
218 cases: from Holland, 279; from 1‘b'ance, 65; Japan, 22; Ger- 
manv, 5 ; Icngland, 5. 
W e hnd that stock coming from Holland is, almost without 
exception, free from insect ])ests and beautifulh' ]:>acked. This is 
also irue of azaleas shi])ped from Belgium. These latter j)lants 
