82 BUREAU OF PLANT QUARANTINE 
[July-Sept 
ANNOUNCEMENTS RELATING TO NURSERY STOCK, PLANT, AND 
SEED QUARANTINE (NO. 37) 
INSTRUCTIONS TO COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS 
T. D. 44800, Publishing Notice of Quarantine No. 37 with Revised Regu- 
lations Covering Nursery Stock, Plants, and Seeds, Amended by 
Effecting Changes in Regulations 3 and 7 Thereof (T. D. 45793) 
Treasury Department, 
Office of the Commissioner of Customs, 
Washington, D. C, July 16, 1932. 
To Collectors of Customs and Others Concerned: 
The appended copy of amendment No. 1 to the revised rules and regulations 
supplemental to notice of quarantine No. 37 (nursery stock, plant, and seed 
quarantine), issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, effective July 1, 1932, is 
published for the information and guidance of customs officers and others 
concerned. 
F. X. A. Eble, 
Commissioner of Customs. 
[Then follows the full text of the amendment.] 
explanation of provisions for entry of plants under QUARANTINE 37 
B* P. Q.— 340 
(Supersedes P. Q. C. A. — 249, as revised) 
August 20, 1932. 
1. Before taking up the specific subject of this circular it seems desirable to 
indicate briefly the necessity for the restrictions under Quarantine 37 on the entry 
of plants. 
Necessity for Restricting the Entry of Plants 
2. Imported nursery stock and other plants and seeds have been the source of 
the introduction of practically all of the insect pests and plant diseases which 
have come to us from other countries and which now occasion huge annual 
losses to our agriculture and forestry. Formerly such material often came with 
the roots embedded in earth, and practically always it was promptly taken to the 
field or greenhouse where other plants were growing, thus furnishing the best 
possible conditions for the local establishment of any insect pests or plant diseases 
which might be carried by the plants or in soil about their roots. 
3. The safeguarding by inspection and disinfection of plants imported in un- 
limited quantities has been proven inadequate. The conclusion has been forced 
that the only possible means of effectively reducing the risk of introducing new 
plant enemies is by reducing the volume of plant importations. Carrying out 
this policy, Quarantine 37 restricts the entry of most nursery stock and other 
ornamentals to purposes believed to be necessary to the development of Amer- 
ican horticulture. Unlimited entry is permitted of certain classes of plants which 
are believed to involve a comparatively negligible pest risk such as seeds, certain 
classes of bulbs, and cuttings, scions, and buds of fruits; and also rose stocks, 
represented to be a temporary horticultural necessity. The entry of all other 
plants is restricted, but, to enable this country to keep abreast with the horti- 
cultural progress of the world, any of such restricted plants as are either new or 
unavailable in the United States may be imported for propagation or for any 
approved experimental, educational, or scientific purpose. The comparatively 
limited entry necessary for such purposes is being safeguarded by thorough in- 
spection and, if necessary, by treatment at the time of importation followed by 
inspections of the growing plants on the premises of the permittee — safeguards 
which are impracticable of application to unlimited commercial or other importa- 
tions. Importations of such restricted material, other than for the public-service 
purposes indicated, have not been authorized since the promulgation of Quaran- 
tine No. 37, in 1919. The provisions for the entry of both the restricted and the 
unrestricted classes of plants are explained in this circular. 
Provisions for the Entry of Plants under Quarantine 37 
4. Under regulation 2 of the quarantine, unrestricted entry is possible, without 
permit, of field, vegetable, and flower seeds, and of plant products imported for 
