Mr. HART. There is hope, then, of reducing it? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Mr. THURSTON. You get a good many of those in Washington, do you not? Mr. STRONG. Yes; there is quite an infestation of them out here a little way. Mr. HART. The corn borer is prevalent in Europe? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Mr. HART. And they have never found any other parasite that would attack the corn borer, have they, in Europe? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir; there are parasites that attack it. I do not know whether that is a real measure of control there or not. It does something in the way of cutting down the population, but it is probably controlled in some instances by climatic conditions and by cultural conditions, too, over there. We have introduced corn-borer parasites into this country from Europe. Mr. HART. And they have never been successful in Europe? Mr. STRONG. Well, it cannot be said that they have held the pest in complete control. Mr. HART. I think the testimony last year was that they had very little effect in Europe. Mr. STRONG. I think it depends on the locality. In some localities it is more effective than in other localities. But we have introduced them here and have colonized them and distributed them in the hope that they would be effective, and we have had quite a good many recoveries. REDUCTION IN ESTIMATE FOR 1935 Mr. SANDLIN. I see under Japanese beetle control you have quite a reduction in the estimate for 1935 as compared with the appropria tion for 1934. Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Mr. SANDLIN. In this item of supervision of nurseries and greenhouses there is a reduction of $17,381. Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Our work under that item has been to attempt to prevent the spread of the Japanese beetle out of the present infested area, and in view of the fact that the larva, or the grub of the insect, is in the soil, we have had to certify for movement out of this infested area all of the nursery stock and plants that move out. A large part of them have had to be treated in one way or another, and we have worked out a system whereby plants can be planted in soil that has lead arsenate worked into it, which kills the grubs in this lead arsenate soil. Then we have had to make inspections to determine the limit of the infestations in order to know where to place our quarantine lines. Formerly that was done by the use of scouts who would go from place to place and see if the beetle was there. Then traps were developed, in which a bait is placed which is very attractive to the beetle, and we discontinued entirely, outside of the nurseries, the use of men for scouting; we now put out these traps. We had last year about 66,000 traps in several States, all the way through the South and through the Middle West, and also adjacent to the area that was known to be infested. This present year we used the same number of traps and found very little spread this year. Last year we found a whole lot of infested areas, but that was more likely due to the increased efficiency of the trap than to the fact that there had been during that year any great spread. This year we found almost none. But with this reduction in the Budget we will have to discontinue the trapping program and depend more or less on guesswork as to what the spread of the beetle is, and it is going to be very difficult to determine what line the quarantine area should follow. If we are not able to effectively, enforce the quarantine, of course we will have to take the Federal quarantine off, and that may result in State embargoes on this pest. Mr. SANDLIN. Your statement on page 170 explains the decreases in these different items, I believe. Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Mr. SANDLIN. I imagine that is about the statement you would make now. Mr. STRONG. Yes; I would have to repeat that, probably. Mr. SANDLIN. The emergency funds under the different projects are explained on page 171? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Those are for repairs, resurfacing a road, reconstructing a concrete loading platform, and so on. MEXICAN FRUIT-FLY CONTROL Mr. SANDLIN. I see we have our old friend the Mexican fruit fly: Mexican fruit-fly control: For the control and prevention of spread of the Mexican fruit fly, including necessary surveys and control operations in Mexico in cooperation with the Mexican Government or local Mexican authorities, $101,652. How are you getting along with that? Mr. STRONG. Not so good. Last year we found some 62 infested properties. The Mexican fruit fly, of course, as you know, is a fly that lays its eggs under the skin of the fruit, and then those eggs hatch into maggots. The following statement is presented for this activity: Increase, Budget 1935, compared with estimated obligations, 1934_____ 4, 669 The reduction of $12,545 in the 1935 estimate of $101,652 below the appropriation of $114,197 for 1934 consists of: The Mexican fruit fly was found in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the crop season of 1927. Eradication measures were immediately undertaken by the United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the State of Texas. While these efforts were apparently successful, there have been recurring infestations, due possibly in some instances at least, to reinfestation which came into Texas from Mexico. This insect exists at the present time just across the Rio Grande River from Brownsville, Tex. The constant shipping to Mexican towns along the border of infested fruits from the interior of Mexico presents a continual menace to the fruit cultures on this side of the line. A continuance of these activities is necessary to prevent the spread of the Mexican fruit fly from the infested area in the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, to eradicate it from that area, and to eliminate so far as possible the infestation existing in the small area across the Rio Grande River from Brownsville, Tex., in order to minimize the risk of reintroduction of the pest. During the season grove inspections are made once in 30 days as that is about the time required for development of the larvae of the Mexican fruit fly. The States outside the infested area susceptible to infestation dependon the Federal authorities to prevent the movement of commodities which might be detrimental to the fruit culture outside the infested area. If infestations can be found before they build up to serious proportions eradication efforts are more efficient, less expensive, and result in destruction of less fruit for the growers. " This situation has been seriously aggravated by the hurricane of September 4, 1933. Between ten and twelve thousand carloads of citrus fruit were blown from the trees. Relieved of this load unusually early blooming is likely to result which would be followed by so-called "off bloom' fruit. This fruit matures during the nonhost fruit season and its detection and destruction forms no small part of the work of the inspection force during the season. There are more than 8,000,000 citrus trees of all ages in the three counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy, and of this number more than half have reached bearing age. The protection afforded the other States lies in the requirement of Federal certification. Certificates are not issued, except on fruit, the growers, packers, and shippers of which have complied with certain regulations and sanitary precuations. Cooperation is maintained with Texas, which State, in the aggregate, is contributing during 1934 an amount of $25,713 to the work. MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY Mr. THURSTON. Is this Mexican fruit fly related to the Mediterranean fruit flv? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir; it is about a first cousin, I should say, or something like that. Mr. THURSTON. We got taken in to the tune of some $16,000,000 on that a few years ago. Mr. STRONG. No; it was not that much, Mr. Thurston. Mr. THURSTON. It was not that much? Mr. STRONG. No. Mr. THURSTON. Later they decided that it was not of any value whatever? Mr. STRONG. No: I do not think it was like that. Mr. SANDLIN. You have gotten into something now. Mr. STRONG. There was not any question about the importance of the insect, I think, and there was no question about its having been there, because we have the specimens of it that were taken on something over a thousand properties in Florida, and the insect, so far as we know, was completely eradicated. It has not been found since that time. Mr. THURSTON. Is it not true that they always have the fly down there? Mr. STRONG. No, sir. Mr. THURSTON. It was reported subsequently that it had always been there, but possibly dormant in form. Mr. STRONG. There were all kinds of reports while that was going on. Mr. THURSTON. So you now say that was a necessary and valuable work? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. Mr. THURSTON. Notwithstanding the reports to the contrary? Mr. CANNON. From what source is that pest introduced? Mr. STRONG. I have no idea. It could have come in, of course, in a great number of ways. It could have come in in some small package of fruit that somebody brought in, maybe from Bermuda or the Hawaiian Islands-something that got by the customs and our own quarantine people, undoubtedly. There is a theory that they blew in on the wind from some other country, possibly from Bermuda, but I have not been able to credit that. I think it was carried in there, some small quantity of it, and the maggots were thrown out and became established. Of course, that is a guess; nobody knows how it came. MEXICAN FRUIT FLY ACTIVITIES IN TEXAS Mr. SANDLIN. The activities for the control of this Mexican fruit fly are almost limited to southern Texas, are they not, on the Rio Grande? Mr. STRONG. That is the only place where the fly exists in this country-in three counties in southern Texas on the Rio Grande River. They have something over 8,000,000 citrus trees there, about half of them in bearing, and our efforts there are to inspect the groves, and if any infestation is found, to destroy what is infested, take necessary precautions in the way of spraying, and certify the fruit out that is eligible to move. Mr. SANDLIN. Do the different localities cooperate with you in the destruction of these trees? Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir. For the Mexican fruit fly we have tried to maintain a host-free period; that is, to have some 6 to 7 months when there was nothing in the way of fruit of sufficient maturity to be susceptible to attack by the fly. That meant that we had to have all the citrus fruits off the trees by the 1st of April. They start shipping along about the 1st of October or the middle of October, and the people down there, in order to prevent having these alternate hosts, deciduous fruits that might carry over the fly from summer, have themselves taken out something over 40,000 deciduous fruit trees. This is a 1-crop country so far as fruit is concernedthat is citrus fruit, grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines. There are no deciduous fruits produced down there now at all, but in spite of that, and in spite of the fact that we have put on two sprays there in the past fiscal year, we are finding a good many infestations of the fruit fly during the past month or two. They had, as you know, a severe hurricane there that blew off some 10 or 12 thousand carloads of fruit on to the ground, and whether that fruit was infested and the maggots went into the ground and are now coming out as adult flies, it is hard to say; but in any event we have got a very serious situation there with the fruit fly. This fly does not confine its attack to oranges and grapefruit, but it does attack peaches, plums, and other deciduous fruits, and probably would be a serious pest farther north than it now is. Mr. SANDLIN. I see the State of Texas contributed $25,713 to this work. Mr. STRONG. Yes; they help us out in every way. CITRUS-CANKER ERADICATION Mr. SANDLIN. The next item is: Citrus-canker eradication: For determining and applying such methods of eradication or control of the disease of citrus trees known as citrus canker as in the judgment of the Secretary of Agriculture may be necessary, including cooperation with such authorities of the States concerned, organizations of growers, or individuals, as he may deem necessary to accomplish such purposes, $12,299, and, no expenditures shall be made for these purposes until a sum or sums at least equal to such expenditures shall have been appropriated, subscribed, or contributed by State, county, or local authorities, or by individuals or organizations for the accomplishment of such purposes: Provided, That no part of the money herein appropriated shall be used to pay the cost or value of trees or other property injured or destroyed. Mr. STRONG. The following statement is presented for inclusion in the hearings: Increase, Budget 1935, compared with estimated obligations, 1934.... 593 Estimated obligations, 1934_ Budget estimate, 1935. The reduction of $12,701 in the 1935 estimate of $12,299 below the appropriation of $25,000 for 1934 consists of: Impoundment of 6% percent of 15 percent pay cut Curtailments in 1934 working funds. 5 percent salary restoration.. CHANGE IN LANGUAGE - $790 -12, 504 +593 - 12, 701 The elimination of the words authorizing "investigations of the nature and means of communication of the disease" provided in the Budget estimate is recommended as such investigations as are necessary will be carried on by the Bureau of Plant Industry. The elimination of the words "the payment of such expenses and the employment of such persons and means, in the city of Washington and elsewhere, and" is recommended in the interest of simplification since the necessary authority is provided in the introductory paragraph or preamble. The elimination of the words "in the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture" proposed in the Budget estimate will make it necessary to secure contributions in the amount of the appropriation before any expenditure can be made. This may prevent prompt action in case of an outbreak; and may, unless all sections are equally interested and prompt, prevent or delay work in States or localities which have provided a fair and adequate proportion of funds required for work in their section. WORK DONE UNDER THIS APPROPRIATION In cooperation with Louisiana and Texas, the Bureau conducts a campaign for the eradication of citrus canker, a bacterial disease of citrus fruits and trees, by the thorough inspection of nurseries and citrus groves, formalin treatment of infected soil, protective spraying of groves exposed to infection, and destruction of diseased trees. As a result of the vigorous campaign, the disease has been practically eliminated from the commercially important areas, but scattered infections still occur sporadically. Each State is now maintaining a close reinspection of all citrus properties and this will be continued for several years because of the extreme infectiousness of the disease, as scattered infections in dooryard plantings outside of commercial districts have been found in Texas and Louisiana. Cooperation is maintained with the States of Louisiana and Texas, which States are contributing in the aggregate an amount of $20,000 to the work during the fiscal year 1934. |
