28 BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT QUARANTINE [Jan.-March 
FUMIGATION TREATMENT METHOD 
(1) Fumigation must be done with methyl bromide at a dosage of one pound 
pen 1,000 cubic feet, including the space occupied by the plants, for a period 
of 4 hours, the soil in which the pots are planted and the air in the fumigation 
chamber to be at a temperature of not less than 85° F. 
(2) Such fumigation shall apply only to those plants in 3-inch pots or 
smaller, or in soil balls not larger than those which would be contained in 
3-inch pots, and the plants shall be stacked on racks so that the gas mixture 
can have access to all sides of the pots or soil ball. 
(3) The fumigation shall be done in a tight chamber with gastight doors. 
(4) After the chamber is loaded and closed, the appropriate amount of 
methyl bromide shall be volatilized therein and the air-gas mixture shall be 
circulated by means of a fan or blower throughout the entire 4-hour fumigation 
period. 
SUGGESTIONS 
(1) A fumigation chamber, lined with sheet metal throughout and with a 
metal-covered door closing against gaskets and held tightly in place by refrig- 
erator door fasteners, is recommended. 
(2) A list of plants, which have been fumigated experimentally with methyl 
bromide according to the recommendations here given and are classified as to 
their ability to withstand such treatment as indicated by these experiments, 
is attached. 
DISCLAIMER 
In authorizing the movement of potted plants or nursery stock, fumigated 
according to the requirements stated above, it is understood that no liability 
shall attach either to the United States Department of Agriculure or to any 
of its employees in the event of injury resulting from the use of the fumigant. 
CAUTION 
Methyl bromide is a gas at ordinary temperatures. It is colorless and prac- 
tically odorless in concentrations used for fumigation of plants. It is a poison, 
and the operator should use an approved gas mask when exposed to the gas 
at concentrations used in fumigation. The plants in the fumigation chamber 
should be well aerated by blowing air through them and the room adequately 
ventilated before it is entered. (Sec. 301.72-5b, issued under authority contained 
in sec. 301.72-5.) 
Lee A. Strong, 
Chief, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. 
The following plants, known to the trade by the following names, have been 
fumigated in up to 3-inch pots with methyl bromide at the rate of one pound 
per 1,000 cubic feet for 4 hours at 85° F. with the results indicated : 
No injury to the following : 
Areca lutescens. 
Aspidistra lurida. 
Boston fern. 
Cape-jasmine (Gardenia). 
Christmas cactus. 
Codiaeum, corkscrew croton. 
Codiaeum croton Robt. Craig. 
Codiaeum croton punctatum, 
Cressulus arborences. 
Dracaena, massange. 
Ficus elastica (variegated). 
Ficus elastica (green). 
Ficus nitida. 
Habrus and Hahns ivy.. 
Latania barbonica. 
Nephthedes. 
Norwood fern. 
Pandanus veitchi. Plants which have 
pure white leaves not to be fumi- 
gated. 
Pedilanthus. 
Peperomia (green). 
Peperomia ( variegated ) . 
Ph ilodcndron corda tum. 
Phoenix roebelini, 
Sansevieria. 
