Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-06-13
AN ANTI. PEST BILL.

The state of Colorado has set an ex.
ample in the matter of anti-pest leeis-
lation that might we'll be followed
with profit by sister commonwealths.
The measure in question, which Is
known as the Casady-Tellier bill. is
the result of the activity and interest
of the State Anti-pest association and
in particular of the painstaking work
of the secretary of the society. {. l.
Fitch Certain sections of Colorado
suffered heavily from grasshoppers
and potato bugs during the years 1908,
1909 and 1910. and 1t was this emer
gency that made the passage OF the
bill, though drastic In character. with
out amendment possible. The bill IS
especially worthy Of publicity because
ii recognizes definitely the cooperative
or community idea in the lighting OF
pests. type Of cooperation that Is
imperative If such work is to be eff
fective and farreaching. Briefly tht
new law, which went into effect i'm
mediately upon its passage. provides
1OT iflG DIOlGGllOll Vi ~ SCos A. NASl''f
and pastuTage against the rayages OF
insects, rodents. weeds and plant dis
eases. This protection may be invoked
whenever the owners of II majority OF
the acreage of given district not ex-
ceeding thirty-six square miles file
petition in due form asking that pest
inspection district be established. This
is directed to the board OF county com
missioners and not only gives the
names and description OF the lands OF
the interested petitioners. but defines
the area to be set Off AS an inspection
district and states the nature OF the
pest through which loss is threatened.
The provisions Of the new law are car
ried out under the supervision of the
state entomoogist and county lnspec-
tors. which are appointed by the coun-
ty commissioners upon petition signed
by twenty-five persons. The county ~
spectors are in turn assisted by The dis
trict inspectors who are named in the
original petition.
The state entomologist Is required to
make inspections twice year of all
sections where he has reason 10 be
lieye pests exist or when asked to do
so by the district inspectors. He may
direct determination work 10 be done,
and in case il il not the inspector may
take 1t in charge. Violations OF the
provisions Of the act or failure to car
ry out the directions of authorized III
spectors Is subject to Il tine OF mol
less than S25 nor more than $500. and
each days delay In obeying instruc
tions IL separate offense, while The
cost of work done by inspectors where
the owner fails TO act becomes a
lien upon the land. Inspectors having
pest work in hand must make month.
ly reports to the state entonologist
who furnishes them with necessary
blanks and gives directions to property
owners for lighting the pest. The
state pays the additional salary of the
entomologist and his deputies. while
the county pays the salary of county
and district inspectors and their help
ers. The bill as passed resembles
closely in important aspects the laN
in force under the British board OF
agriculture in her Indian. African nnt
Australian colonies. where Il ha
proved very effective The idan %
small district cooperation is Il feature
OF the new bill suggested by Colo
RADIO farmer