The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-08
REPORT OF CROP
PEST COMMISSION

circular letter has been sent out to
fine farmers of the State by j. L. Phli-
Inns state Entomologist, calling atteH-
lion to the act of Assembly creating the
state crop pest commission and amend
ing former acts and the regulations
adoptcd by tho commissioners
The first act was passed seven years
ago, but 1t carried no approprlatloil, ~.
conferred certain powers upon the Board
IF Control OF the Agricultural EXperi-
mental Station permitting them to make
some investigation of this trouble and
recomn1end measures for checking It's
sneed The partial Investigations made
revealed such a serious danger TO the
fruit interests that two years later an
amended act was passed esta bishing the
commission with larger powers and COM
hitting to them the San Jose scale law
Under this legislation $1,000 per annuin
was provided for a limited time. AT the
recent session OF the General Assembly
the law was still further amended. and
Sc 900 per annum was appropriated
The new law also provides for the
publication of list of insect pests; regn-
lation and sale of nursery stock, inspec-
ton OF nursery stock: enforcement OF the
act by the courts imposes penalties for
selling or giving away uninspected plants.
etc. 1t also authorizes the appointment of
local inspectors by Boards of Supervisors
or City Councils,
Nurserymen and their sales agents
| wishing to do business in Virginia must
register with the Auditor of Public Ac-
counts, and receive a Certificate at cost
of $50, All such certificates will be sub
ject to the approval of the State Eittomol-
ogist. A penalty is imposed upon whoever
sells without a certificate,
| The aforementioned circular letter sent
out from Blacksburg by State Entomolo-
| eist Phillips contains the foregoing facts;
also, the acts of Assembly in eStenso. the
| rules and regulations OF the board list
! of insect pests and plant diseases, etc
| This publication OF the board COPIES OF
| which may be obtained free upon appli-
| cation) closes with the following outline
| of tho policy that the board thinks may
be best pursued to enforce the provisions
| of the law and guard the very important
f! interests concerned therein:
LIST. It Is intended to furnish promptly
| to all city and county authorities, and
| also 10 interested individuals. residents
! OF the several counties and cities OF the
state, such information as will enable
| them to act in regard to the suppression
of the San Jose seale.if they see fit The
board. however, expressly desires that
| local action shall only be undertaken at
| the instance of the responsible freehold
ers who are also fruit growers The
stringent provisions of this act in rela-
| lion to the San lose scale can only be
enforced properly where the sentiment
Of Of the community supports the work, 1t
Is the earnest desire of the board TO so
enforce the law as TO save further injury
| "a the great fruit Interests. and to this
and they gbespeak hearty cooperation on
NV narf Of Interested communities.
ID II is desired to call attention to
the enforcement Of the law against peach
vellows ana blaek knot. These are two,
al the most easily communicable and GER
| tainIy fatal fungcus diseases known to