THE YELLOWS. 



FULL TEXT OF THE ACT TO PREVENT THE SPRICAD OF THE 



DISEASE. 



Many inquiries have been made for the exact language of the law regarding 

 the checking of the peach disease known as yellows, and we give it as found on 

 page ?2G of the Local Acts of 1875. 



Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That any and all 

 trees in the counties of Allegan, Van Buren, and Ottawa, whether peach, 

 almond, apricot, or nectarine, infected with the contagious disease known as tho 

 yellows, shall he held to be without pecuniary value, and the fruit unfit for 

 use as food ; and that, as the best known means of preventing the spread of 

 such disease, both tree and fruit so infected shall bo subject to destruction as 

 public nuisances. 



Sec. 2. In any township of the counties of Allegan, Van Buren, and Ottawa, 

 in which the contagious disease of the peach, almond, apricot, or nectarine 

 tree, known as the yellows, is believed to exist, or in which danger may be ap- 

 prehended of its spread or its introduction, it shall be competent for any five or 

 more residents of the same or adjoining township to make allegation of such, 

 belief or apprehension, in writing, addressed to the township board of such 

 township, and requesting them to take measures, as hereinafter provided, to 

 prevent the spread of such contagious disease, and for the eradication of the 

 same, which request must be filed with the clerk of the township in which such 

 application is made. 



Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the township clerk, on receipt of the request 

 specified in section two of this act, to call a meeting of the township board 

 within ten days thereafter ; and upon the assembling of said board to lay such 

 allegation and request before them ; whereupon it shall be the duty of said board 

 to appoint a discreet and suitable person as commissioner, who shall hold his office 

 during the pleasure of such board ; and to said commissioner shall be submitted 

 any and all complaints of the existence or impending introduction of said con- 

 tagious disease, arising under the provisions of this act, within such township. 



Sec. 4. Complaints of the existence or impending introduction of said dis- 

 ease may be made by any one or more residents of the same or of an adjoining 

 township, and must be in writing, addressed to said commissioner, and must 

 state distinctly the premises on which such disease is alleged to exist, or the 



