1000 PACKAGES OF SHAMROCKS RETURNED TO IRELAND
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On March 11, 1925, Associated Press reports "more than 1000 packages of shamrocks*...were ordered sent back to Ireland today by representatives of the Department of Agriculture."
AP says...
"The action was taken under the regulation which prohibits the importation of living plants because of the danger of pests."
In one of the boxes shipped from Ireland, inspectors found a "small bottle of Irish whiskey" along with a note which read...
'This will keep the shamrocks fresh,' so St. Patrick said.
*shamrocks are a type of clover used as a symbol of Ireland & said to have been used by St. Patrick to illustrate the Catholic doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
SOURCE
"Shamrocks Barred, Even With Liquor To Freshen Them," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 11, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
