1929] SERVICE AND REGULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS 79 
While the Mediterranean fruit fly is largely a subtropical pest, it is destruc- 
tively abundant over such range in the Mediterranean region of Europe and 
in parts of South America, Australia, and South Africa as to indicate the 
probability that it would thrive with us at least throughout the Cotton Belt 
and the citrus-producing reg ons of California, Arizona, and New Mexico, as 
well as Florida. 
Immediately upon the discovery of the fruit fly in Florida, C. L. Marlatt, 
Chief of the Plant Quarantine and Control Administration, proceeded to that 
State to get first-hand information of the conditions and to cooperate with 
the State officials In a plan for a campaign of eradication against this pest. 
The State of Florida had already begun vigorous action following the dis- 
covery of the pest and its determination by State and Federal authorities a 
few days before. The State plant board has now mobilized its entire person- 
nel — with the exception of its port guardians — in the infested area. Con- 
siderable forces of Federal men were immediately called to aid in the work 
from the Mexican fruit worm and cotton projects in Texas, and experts 
were placed on the ground to aid in the supervision and determination of 
infested fruits. 
In the matter of funds, the State of Florida, in addition to its current 
appropriations, released an emergency fund of $50,000, making it immediately 
available. It is also expected that a further fund totaling at least $1,000,000 
will be made available by the State appropriation for regulatory and eradication 
purposes for the biennium beginning July 1, 1929. At the present time, as a 
result of the scouting carried out by State and Federal men, the insect has 
been found in what seems to be merely beginning points of infestation in 
some seven counties. However, in no case has any intense or general infesta- 
tion been found at such outlying points. 
The State plant board promulgated a quarantine April 15 covering all of 
Orange and Seminole Counties, and part of Lake County; in other words, 
the district that was then known to be infested by the pest. Prompt action 
has been taken, however, with respect to the control of all later determined 
outlying points of infestation. This quarantine prohibits the movement out of 
the quarantined area of all hosts and is being enforced by the State militia, 
a portion of which has been ordered out by the governor at the request of 
the State plant board. 
The concern which the invasion of the Mediterranean fruit fly has aroused 
throughout the United States was indicated by the large attendance at the 
public hearing April 22. Representatives of important associations of fruit 
and vegetable growers of the United State< were present, together with 
members of Congress representing many of the States interested in fruit 
and vegetable production. Many leading producers and representatives of 
transportation companies of the southeastern United States were also present. 
Expression-- of concern and requests that the utmost be done by State and 
Federal agencies to stamp out this pest were received also by telegram and 
letter from other States and Interested bodies and persons. 
MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT-FLY QUARANTINE ISSUED 
I Press notice] 
Apbil 26, 1!>2«.>. 
The Secretary of Agriculture announced to-day the promulgation of a quar- 
antine to prevent tin- spread of the recently discovered Mediterranean fruit-fly 
infestation in Florida. 
While the quarantine and regulations bring under restriction the state 
of Florida as a whole, a^ to ail fruits and a limited number of vegetables 
which are also attacked by the fly, nevertheless under these restrictions mosl <<( 
the fruit of Florida and practically all of the vegetables will lie permitted 
to move <ait of the state under what are believed to be adequate safeguards. 
The regulations have been discussed with and amended to meet reasonable 
Suggestions of the Stale Plant l'.oa rd of Florida and of leading growers and 
transportation officers of the principal common carriers concerned in produce 
movements from Florida. 
Pending action by iih> state plant board to bring the state into alignment, 
the restrictions under this quarantine become immediately effective a- to the 
areas designated as info-ted iii the quarantine promulgated April 15, ww. 
by that board, and to such additional Infested points as have been later deter- 
