regulatory controls to assure accurate and com-
plete labeling of seed and sod at the time of mar-
keting, thus enabling the consumer to determine
what he is purchasing prior to planting or instal-
lation. A State Testing Laboratory is operated for
both service and regulatory testing to assure com-
pliance with label claims. The regulatory phase
involves inspection, testing, reporting results, and
corrective actions for each turf and seed lot found
to be in noncompliance with the provisions of the
seed law (Code Agriculture Article, sees. 9-101
through 9-110; 9-201 through 9-213).

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SECTION

The Weights and Measures Section has custody
of, maintains, and safeguards the State's primary
standards as well as secondary standards and
equipment for the enforcement of Maryland's
Weights and Measures Law. It maintains supervi-
sion over weighing and measuring devices,
weights and measures, and packaged commodities
offered for sale, sold, or in use in the State. This
supervision is extended to the methodology
employed in obtaining accurate measurement and
providing a means for value comparisons.

This Section is also charged with the supervi-
sion and licensing of personnel engaged in the
handling and transportation of fluid dairy
products as it relates to accurate and proper mea-
surement. It is charged with the administration
and enforcement of Title II, Agriculture Article,
Annotated Code of Maryland, which is designed
to ensure accuracy and equity in the sale and
measurement of commodity and similar transact-
ions (Code Agriculture Article, sees. 11-101
through 11-509).

DIVISION OF MARKETING
Richard P. Parson, Director

Parole Plaza Office Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-2181

The Marketing Division provides programs and
services designed to serve all segments of the
economy through the market system from pro-
ducer to consumer. Programs include: Federal-
State market improvement projects, inspection
and grading of agricultural commodities, market
news and statistical reporting service in conjunc-
tion with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
and an active consumer marketing information
program (Code Agriculture Article, sees. 10-101
through 10-204; 10-501 through 10-504; 10-601
through 10-606; 10-701 through 10-708; 10-801
through 10-807; 10-901 through 10-909).

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRIES
Ronald L. Johnson, Director

Parole Plaza Office Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-2325

PLANT PROTECTION SECTION

This Section is responsible for administering
programs relating to nursery inspection, plant pro-
tection and quarantine programs, integrated pest
management, nuisance bird control, forest pest
management, certified plant production, inspection
and registration of honey bee colonies, and admin-
istration of the Interstate Pest Control Compact.

The Chief of this Section provides general su-
pervision to the programs and currently serves as
the State Plant Pathologist. Personnel in this Sec-
tion serve as the State's authority on plant pests
and agricultural quarantines and provide liaison
for the Department with other state and federal
regulatory officials (Code Agriculture Article,
sees. 5-301 through 5-313; 5-501 through 5-507;
and 1976 supplement sees. 5-701 through 5-716,
and 1977 supplement sees. 5-801 through 5-805).

WEED CONTROL SECTION

The primary goal of the Weed Control Section
is to control and prevent the spread of the nox-
ious weed Johnsongrass within the state. The
Johnsongrass Control Program is basically
designed to assist landowners in bringing
Johnsongrass under control through their own
efforts and through the joint efforts of the county
and State as provided in Cooperative Agreements
with the various counties. Landowners are en-
couraged to file Johnsongrass Control Plans with
the Department outlining methods and
procedures for controlling Johnsongrass on their
land. The Department is authorized to take regu-
latory actions against landowners who allow
Johnsongrass to set seed on their property.

The Secretary of Agriculture has legislative au-
thority to declare other noxious weeds and place
them under a control program.

The program supervisor serves as the State's
authority on weed control matters (Code Agricul-
ture Article, sees. 9-401 through 9-405).

TURF AND SEED CERTIFICATION
SECTION

The objective of this Section is to assure the
availability of sufficient quantities of certified turf