THE POTATO QUARANTINE. 11 
tide of trade between the two nations, it is very difficult to prevent 
transskipnients from the quarantined country through the ports of 
the nonquarantined country unless special measures are taken by 
the governments concerned to regulate such trade, 
Finally, it is impossible to foresee all the conditions that will arise 
in the course of international commerce. Shipments come from new 
sources and may bring parasites hitherto unknown to which existing 
regulations may not apply. An example is afforded by some small 
importations of potatoes from South America in 1913, which were 
found infested with new species of weevils* more dangerous than any 
previously known, which tunnel through the tuber and destroy its 
value without greatly -impairing its appearance. 1 This finding em- 
phasizes the necessity of maintaining a careful watch over all pota- 
toes coming from South or Central American sources. Effective 
regulations are therefore to be preferred to quarantines, in order to 
permit the most complete protection against the introduction of 
parasites without hampering trade more than is necessary. 
A step in this direction has been taken by the issuance of the fol- 
lowing order applying to potatoes the provisions of the nursery stock 
regulations, under the plant quarantine act: 
United States Department of Aokiuultuiie, 
Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Horticultural Board. 
•Order Covering Admission of Foreign Potatoes under Restriction. 
The Secretary ci Agriculture lias determined that the unrestricted importation 
from any foreign country of the common or Irish potato grown in the Dominion of 
Canada, Newfoundland, Great Britain, Ireland, Continental Europe, and other foreign 
countries may result in the entry into the United States, its Territories and Districts, 
of injurious potato diseases, including the powdery scab (JSpongospqra subterranea) , 
and injurious insect pests. 
Now, therefore, I, David F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture, under authority 
conferred by section 5 of the act of Congress approved August 20, 1912, known as 
"The Plant Quarantine Act 1 ' (37 United States Statutes .at Large, page 315), do 
hereby determine and declare that on and after January 15, 1914, common or Irish 
potatoes imported or offered for import into the United States or any of its Territories 
or Districts shall be subject to all the provisions of sections I, 2 7 3, and 4 of said act of 
Congress. 
Done at Washington this 22d day of December, 1913. 
Witness my hand and the seal of the United States Department of Agriculture. 
[seal.] David F. Houston, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
1 Pierce, W. D wight. Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 1, no. 4, p. 347-352, pi. 3, 1914. 
