The Fumigation Didn't Take: Live Scale Found on Japanese Oranges
A King County fruit-growers' committee inspects a shipment of imported oranges that the state's own commissioner had fumigated, finds the mealy bug and scale still alive, and demands stricter enforcement before the fruit goes on sale.
At the regular session of the King County Horticultural Society, held at Maple's hall in August, the question of the importation of infected fruit from Japan, now being sold in the markets, was brought up.
The sentiment expressed by the members present was to the effect that the manner of fumigation employed under the direction of Horticultural Commissioner Baker was defective, and thereupon a committee of three — namely, the president, Sandahl, of the Puget Sound Nursery Company; J. W. Maple, ex-treasurer of King County and vice-president of the association; and W. Prouty, a prominent fruit-grower — was appointed to make a thorough investigation and report its findings.
On Monday the committee met at the office of J. M. Hixson Co. and made an examination of the samples of oranges taken from the shipments, and it was conclusively shown that the fumigation did not have the anticipated effect: the specimens of mealy bug as well as several varieties of scale were found to be alive. Thereupon the committee drew up the following resolutions:
"Whereas, This committee, appointed by the King County Horticultural Society, upon making a thorough examination of the samples of oranges received by recent shipment from Japan, and that were fumigated in the manner specified by Horticultural Commissioner Baker, and placed on exhibition by Prof. Brown under oath, are found to be still infected with the mealy bug and several species of scales; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That the committee deplores the manner of fumigation employed by Mr. Baker, believing it to be incomplete, and that by reason of such infected fruit being placed on sale and distributed broadcast throughout the land, our fruit industry is in danger of being injured to a great degree. While we believe Mr. Baker is sincere in his efforts, he should employ more strict methods where such shipments are brought in.
"Resolved, further, That as the law gives the officers of this state ample power to check importations of fruit infected with dangerous pests, it is the sentiment of this organization that a more complete system be used in future, and if necessary all wrappings be taken off before fumigation, and such fumigation be made as thorough as possible. Before such fruit is allowed to be put on sale we believe that it should be definitely known that the pests are all killed. The committee fully recognizes the importance of fostering our Oriental trade relations, and therefore believes that arrangements can be made in an amicable way, while the importers of such shipments should be given to understand the full intent of the laws, and that a strict adherence to their provisions hereafter be called for.
C. N. Sandahl, J. W. Maple, C. W. Prouty.
“"...by reason of such infected fruit being placed on sale and distributed broadcast throughout the land, our fruit industry is in danger of being injured to a great degree."”
A century before spotted lanternflies and imported fruit quarantines made the news, Washington growers were already fighting over whether the state's inspection regime actually worked. Then as now, the tension was between protecting a home industry and keeping an eye on Pacific trade. The growers' verdict — the fumigation was performed, and the bugs lived anyway — is a reminder that a regulation is only as good as its enforcement.
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