THE most urgent need of agrticul-turists in the direction of laws is a statute in every state designed to control fungous diseases of plants. The ravages of the codlin moth, curculio, canker worm and even rose chafer are of minor importance to the destruction wrought by the fungi. The work of insects is tangible and for the most part it is more easily controlled than that of the fungi. The fungous injuries are obscure, and at times they are spread with almost incredible rapidity over great areas. Once established, many of the fungi are invulnerable, and in all of them timeliness is the most important factor in their control. In fact, many of them can be controlled only by quarantine. This is particularly true of peach yellows, which, for practical purposes, may be rated a fungous disease. One who has observed the almost wonderful results of this system of quarantine and rooting-out in the Michigan peach regions, and who has seen the thousands of acres of wrecked orchards in Delaware and Maryland where the disease has been neglected or fought by arguments, cannot for an instant doubt the efficiency of vigorous and concerted effort in the control of plant diseases.

Two provisions need attention [in laws to control plant diseases. It should be a misdemeanor for anyone to allow diseases which can be controlled only by quarantine to exist upon his premises. Such diseases are pear blight, peach yellows and black knot of the plum and cherry. Then a contingent fund should be provided to be used in the investigation or eradication of any new disease which may appear, and in disseminating information as to the proper methods of combating specific diseases.

Michigan led this movement by enactment of a yellows law, and New Jersey has made a general law against fungous diseases. European states have undertaken to control them. Every state in the Union should now consider the matter.