BLIGHT COMMISSION INSTRUCTION 



By prof. HUGH P. BAKER 



OURING the week of February 2Gth to March 2d, Mr. S. B. Detwiler, 

 Executive Officer of the I*eims.ylvania Chestnut Tree Blight Commission, 

 his field superintendents and twenty-four of the field agents gathered 

 in the Forestry Building at Penn State for lectures and demonstrations in 

 Forest Pathology, Soils, Entomology and Forestry. 



Professor H. R. Fulton, Pathologist of the Experiment Station, told the 

 men of the nature of fungi and their relation to other plants. How natural 

 conditions may aid or check the extension of a fungus and of the common 

 methods of combatting fungi. An especial study was made of the Chestnut 

 Blight Disease (Diaporthe parasitica Murrill) and the men were shown the 

 different sj)ore forms and their development both in the field and under the 

 microscope. 



In the work in Entomology, Professor W. R. McConnell described the 

 development of an insect and showed how they may be instrumental in spread- 

 ing the spores of fungi. The importance of bird life in checking extension of 

 insects was explained and beneficial birds were shown and described. The 

 men were unusually well acquainted with the common birds. 



Professor C. F. Shaw, who is carrying on a soil survey of the State, told 

 of the origin and nature of the various soils of Pennsylvania and touched 

 upon the influence of soils upon tree growth. The importance of protecting 

 the soil from erosion and baking, was brought out. Practical suggestions 

 were given for preventing the washing of soils from steep slopes. 



A forenoon was si)ent with Professor J. W. Gregg, Landscape Gardener, 

 who gave a demonstration in pruning trees of different sizes and how wounds 

 should be treated to prevent the entrance of spores of fungi. The men are 

 being asked constantly as to methods of i)runing trees infested with insects 

 and disea^ie and told of hearing many queer theories as to pruning. 



The members of the Department of Forestry gave work both in the class 

 room and in the field in rough methods of measuring and estimating timber; 

 the structure and market forms of timber and ways of increasing durability. 

 Some simple methods of management were discussed and applied to wood- 

 lands in which chestnut was dying out. The best trees for planting in 

 various situations were described and estimates of cost of planting and 

 returns were given. 



The field force of the Commission is made up of an attractive and enthu- 

 siastic lot of fellows of all ages from recent high school and college graduates 

 to self trained men past middle age who have had long experience in the 

 woods. 



During the past winter, while it has been difficult to work in the woods, 

 the Commission has been doing a splendid line of educational work throughout 

 the State. Meetings and demonstrations have been held in school houses, 

 grange halls and city buildings throughout the eastern and central portions 

 of the state. The people are showing a surprising interest in the work of 

 the Commission and in forestry and whatever the results of the efforts to 

 check the blight may be there is no question but that the work of the Com- 

 mission will have a tremendous influence in developing Forestry in Pennsyl- 

 vania. < jg^ 



