A LEAF-CURL DISEASE OF OAKS. 



BY E. MEAD WILCOX, 



Several of the native oaks are widely planted and 

 highly prized in this State as shade trees both along city 

 and town streets and about private dwellings. No small 

 part of the beauty of a city or town is to be found in the 

 number and character of tJie shade trees along its streets. 

 While shade trees about private dwellings add much to 

 the general appearance and attractiveness of the home 

 and contribute largely to the comfort and pleasure of 

 the occupants of the house. In fact, the general condi- 

 tion of the shade trees along the streets of any town may 

 well be taken as a fairly accurate index of the prosper- 

 ity and intelligence of the people of the community. 

 Many of our people now appreciate the value of good 

 shade trees and are desirous of protecting them against 

 all their enemies. The purpose of the present bulletin 

 is to call attention to one of the fungus diseases of some 

 of our native oaks that threatens now to de- 

 stroy many of these trees, particularly in our cities and 

 towns. If, incidentally, more interest is aroused in home 

 and city adorament through the agency of good shade 

 trees, a useful purpose will have been accomplished in 

 that direction. 



It is a pleasure to acknowledge here the kindness of 

 numerous correspondents in this and other States who 

 have sent the Avriter specimens and notes of great value. 

 I wish also to give expression here to my indebtedness 

 to Dr. N. L. Britton, Director-in-chief of the N. Y. Bo- 

 tanic (lardens, and members of his staff, and Miss Jose- 

 phine A. Clark, Librarian of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, for many exceptional favors and helpful as- 

 sistance rendered in the consultation of the extensive lit- 

 earture in their charge. 



