BULLETIN OF THE 
No, 81 
Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Wm. A. Taylor, Chie 
the Federal Horticultural Board, C. L. Marlatt, Chairman, 
March 31, 1914. 
THE POTATO QUARANTINE AND THE AMERICAN POTATO 
INDUSTRY. 
By W. A. Orton, 
Pathologist in Charge of Cotton and Truck Disease and Sugar-Plant Investigations,' 
Bureau of Plant Industry, and Vice Chairman of the Federal Horticultural Board. 
INTRODUCTION. 
In September, 1912, a quarantine order was issued by the Secre- 
tary of Agriculture prohibiting the importation of potatoes into the 
United States from the British Isles, Germany, Austria-Hungary, 
and from Newfoundland, St. Pierre, and Miquelon, on account of the 
potato wart. In December, 1913, an additional temporary quar- 
antine was laid against Canada and all the countries of Europe, 
pending further investigations of the occurrence of powdery scab 
and the establishment of a system of inspection on the part of for- 
eign governments that will provide for the certification of potatoes 
offered for export to the United States, to the effect that they are free 
from disease, that they were grown in a disease-free locality from 
which the American quarantine has been lifted, and that in other re- 
spects they conform to the regulations established by this Government. 
The discussion of these quarantines has focused public attention 
on the potato question to an unusual degree and has emphasized 
the need for available information concerning the reasons for the 
quarantines, the nature of the new regulations, and the general 
status of the potato industry. This bulletin is intended as a contribu- 
tion to this end. It is sought also to outline a constructive policy 
for future development that will lessen losses from disease and other 
wastes and place potato culture on a basis more profitable to the 
producer, while at the same time permanently reducing the cost to the 
consumer of this staple food. 
Note.— This bulletin tells of the necessity for establishing a quarantine against potatoes from certain 
countries, gives brief descriptions of the potato diseases that have been imported, indicates some of the 
agencies by which these diseases have been spread over this country, and gives information that potato 
growers should have in advance of the planting season. It is intended for general distribution. 
30952°— Bull. 81—14 1 
