4 
NURSERY INSPECTION 
LEGISLATION TO CONTROL WHITE PINE BLISTER 
RUST AND OTHER PLANT PESTS. 
Several measures are at present before the Legislature, all 
planned to be of service in combating the White Pine Blister Rust. 
House File 477 is an appropriation bill for work against this disease. 
Senate File 315, House File 601 represents an amendment to our 
present inspection law, enabling us to handle not only the blister 
rust situation as it exists in Minnesota today, but also to act in sim- 
ilar emergencies in the future. It has been indorsed by the National 
Committee for the Suppression of White Pine Blister Rust 
in America, and, as amended, by representatives of the Minne- 
sota Retail Nurserymen’s Association, and other bodies. It is at 
present in the Agricultural Committee of the Senate and the appro- 
priation bill above mentioned is before the Finance Committee. It 
depends upon the decision of the latter committee and upon the 
passage of proper laws whether Minnesota will handle this problem 
as it should be handled or go on record as favoring no action. Mas- 
sachusetts is asking for $60,000, and that sum is at this date re- 
ported out at conference. New Hampshire asked $28,000, Maine 
$20,000, Connecticut $15,000, New York, $30,000. Nevada has 
already quarantined against entrance into that state of all five leaf 
pines,, currants and gooseberries from Minnesota and all points 'east 
of the Mississippi. Other western states will follow this action and 
the Federal Horticultural Board will undoubtedly place severe re- 
strictions on Minnesota nursery trade, unless we show by prompt 
and vigorous action that we propose to handle this matter in an effi- 
cient way. 
Two affected nurseries have suffered loss through efforts last 
summer to eradicate the disease. The proprietors of these volun- 
tarily destroyed stock to prevent the spread of the Blister Rust, 
and in accordance with a resolution passed in the Governor’s office 
on June 20, 1916, should be reimbursed upon a conservative basis 
for value of stock they destroyed. That part of the resolution bear- 
ing upon this is here given : 
“Resolved further, that it is the sense of the undersigned officers of the 
State of Minnesota that, in harmony with an appraisement by a proper 
committee, the Legislature convening in the winter of 1916-17 be urged to 
properly compensate nurserymen and others who lost stock through its 
destruction for the ourpose of stopping this calamity. 
June 20, 1916. 
J. A. A. BURNQUIST, 
Governor. 
J. A. O. PREUS, 
Auditor. 
A. C. GOODING. 
Treasurer 
