12 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
A French Nurseryman’s Opinion on the Plant Embargo 
Tlie following lotter was received by the “National 
Nurseryman” in response to a letter solii*iling’ the re¬ 
newal of an advertisement. It throws light on the opinion 
that foreign nurserymen have in regard to the embargo 
and points out to a certain extent, the injustice and eom- 
])lications that may arise. 
16 Route d’Olivet, 
Orleans, France, November 28, 1018. 
Dear Sirs: 
In answer to your favour of the 6th inst, we regret to 
inform that we shall not renew our advertisement this 
season. We had a very limited quantity of ornamental 
stocks this year, and most of the sorts will soon he ex¬ 
hausted. 
We take this opportunity and inform you that we are 
very much afraid of the intention of the Federal Horti¬ 
cultural Board to prohibit from June 1st, 1919, all impor¬ 
tations of ornamental stock. 
We must say that a certain number of French fiians, 
grow yearly, considerable quantities of young ornamen¬ 
tal trees and shrubs, specially required by the American 
trade. Although they did not have many men employed 
this year, they made great efforts to increase their cul¬ 
tures of these plants, in anticipation of the demand they 
expected after the war. Must this work he all loss? 
Must they he compelled to destroy all these plants? 
Is it really a danger for America to import plants from 
foreign countries? We clearly understand that imported 
stocks must he very carefully inspected, and infested 
stocks destroyed, hut our opinion is that the Federal Hor¬ 
ticultural Board oITicers exaggerate the situation. We 
may add that a great number of insects or pests causing 
damage in Europe were first imported from iVmerica. 
There may he exporters who do not suffieiently control 
their cultures and do not attempt to get rid of pests af¬ 
fecting their plants. These careless growers, if any, 
ought not to he allowed to export. The inspectors of each’ 
exporting country ought to he more severe and refuse 
certificates to such firms. If one or two firms had to hear 
a penalty, wdiatever it is, it is certain other exporters 
would become more careful, and careful exporters 
would thus not he compelled to suffer through the care¬ 
lessness of others. 
In our district the Inspectors of the Service Phytopath- 
ologique are very attentive, when an insect or pest, even 
if it has no dangerous effect on plants or trees, is found, 
they require the grower to have the plants destroyed at 
once, and give them the best remedy for preventing the 
return of these insects or pests. Their instructions are 
always followed by responsible firms. 
Before the plants are packed the Inspectors arrive 
unexpeetedly in the packing sheds, control all plants and 
eonqiel tlie exporter to take from the orders the stocks on 
which they have a doubt. We believe that a better in¬ 
spection cannot be made. 
We are glad to say personally that none of our plants 
have caused us any dilfieulty either with the French in¬ 
spectors nor with the American inspectors. Only one 
exception. Two years ago we sent a lot of Syr'mga per- 
sira to a customer and when inspecting them on arrival 
the American inspector said they were infested with 
crown gall. These plants were grafted on the Califoniia 
privet, as these plants do not unite very Avell, a large 
swelling was formed at the union of the grafts of some 
plants, as often happens. Our plants were destroyed, we 
deducted their amount from our customers account, and 
never protested against this error of an over zealous in¬ 
spector. 
We do not understand the reason why the Federal Hor¬ 
ticultural Board allow the importation of the fruit tree 
stocks and prohibit the ornamentals. These fruit tree 
stocks, however, can carry all the same sorts of insects 
or pests, perhaps still more, than Spiraeas, Philadelphus, 
Buddleia and many other plants on which insects or 
pests are rarely to he found. 
We further notice that seeds of fruit trees, shrubs, 
etc., are allowed to he imported. Does not the Federal 
Horticultural Board fear that, at the demand of interested 
exporters of plants, the exportations of seeds from France 
or allied countries could be prohibited as a repressive 
action. We have heard several of our colleagues speak¬ 
ing about such a decision. If this became of final decision, 
America could import neither plants nor seeds. We 
should he very sorry if our government took such a de¬ 
cision that wmuld affect the trade of a country wdio so 
generously spent their men and so much money in order 
to help our unfortunate France. We do not believe it 
w ill happen. 
On your side, could you not let the Federal Horticul¬ 
tural Board know" w"hat a loss their prohibition w"ill 
cause to France, wdio has already so much suffered by 
its loss of men and money? 
We must add that, if the prohibition is decided upon, it 
w ould he considered as a penalty imposed on France and 
allied countries, although w"e feel sure it is not the inten¬ 
tion of the Federal Horticultural Board. 
We hope that after careful examination of the situa¬ 
tion the United States Government will not cause the 
