The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1921-06-17
WAR ON INSECTS URGED ~
STATE AGRICULTURAL Chief

The Importance of horticulture to
western Montana and the need for
proper methods to protect the indus
try from insect pests, are explained
by Chester C. Davis, state commits
sioner of agriculture. He has just
returned from the Bitter Root valley.
where he met with fruit growers and
obtained their cooperation in the
horticultural activities of the depart
ment. With reference to the situa-
ton. Mr.. Davis says:
THE state of Montana last year
produced a commercial crop of APP
quarters of million dollars, much
OF which found ready market in the
city of New York. In addition, there
was tremendous production of APP
plies and small fruits consumed local
ly, which would probably bring the
total valuation Of fruit to beyond the
million dollar mark. Montana's COM
mercial fruit production is centered
in three counties-Ravalli Flathead
and Missoula.
Those familiar with fruit produc-
ton know that the development of
orchards is continuous battle
against insect and bacterial pests
which, if uncontrolled. would entire
ly wipe out the industry. Montana's
horticultural industry is no different
and no worse in that respect than
that OF other states and sections. Yet
on our trip over the Bitter Root val
ley we found at the upper end an in
festation of the Colorado leaf roller.
which promises to destroy some of the
best orchards in the state within the
next year or two unless it is con-
trolled. The leaf roller if uncontrol-
led will spread rapidly down the Bit
ter Root and over the rest Of the
commercial orchards of the state.
Control Work Necessary
In Missoula. as we'll as in Hamil-
ton, there is an infestation of codling
moth which threatens to spread to
the commercial orchards of the COM
munities. It is OF vital Importance
that spraying programs be carried
out for the control of the codling
moth not only of the orchards but
within the city boundaries as WELL
The control Of insect pests and
diseases and the inspection Of fruit
and nursery stock in the past was
handled under the state board of hor-
ticulture, which the new law creating
the department of agriculture has
abolished. Under the direction of
that board an organization for pest
control has been built up. admins
tered from the offices OF the state
horticulturist in Missoula and with
its field work handled by four in
spectors operating out OF Missoula,
Kalispell, Stevensville and Hamilton.
THE fruit growers have been ac-
customed to look to the treasury of
the state of Montana to bear the en-
tire expense of this control work. II
has developed to the point where the
total annual cost has amounted to
approximately $4,000, Of which
about one-half is derived from fees
collected for the inspection, the other
half coming from the state treasury.
The recent legislature did not provide
funds sufficient to conduct this work
as it is now organized, at state ex-
pense. You can see by estimating at
s17,500 per year, the cost of the
work at this time. in addition to the
income from fees, that the depart
ment Of agriculture, with total blan-
ket appropriation of S38,675 year
is unable to finance the work without
shutting down its other departments.
The Western Plan
The principle Of pest control work
in the large western fruit growing
states is not that which Montana has
followed in the past In these other
SIC hSvr
and Utah, the expense of local field
men and inspectors is borne out of
county funds. though the inspectors
work under the direction of a state
horticulturist. In Montana it is ne
eessary now that some local support
be provided for the horticultural
work or else that a considerable por-
ton Of it be dropped entirely.
Il have gone over the situation
thoroughly and on this trip have in
terviewed scores of the fruit grow
ers and am convinced of the unsur-
passed Importance of continuing the
work. Nevertheless, unless local sup
port is forthcoming. the four inspect
ors or field men now in state employ
will have to be dropped on July /.
The recent legislative assembly
passed law which is Chapter 227, OF
the session laws. which authorizes the
boards of commissioners of counties
TO employ men at fixed per diem
and to purchase materials and sup
plies toward the expenses of fighting
insect pests. This law is not ade-
quate to permit the work to be han
died as it is handled in other fruit
growing states but it is the best me-
dunn that exists to permit the coun-
ties 10 get behind the control work
We presented the situation to the
board OF county commissioners of Ra-
yalli county at Hamilton at what is