66 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE). 



Chestnut Bark Disease. 



This fall an infection of this disease was discovered in Au- 

 burn by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. It is probably 

 the most northern infection and shows the adaptability of this 

 canker to varied cHmatic conditions. The number of chestnut 

 trees in the state is not large, nor are they developed for 

 economic purposes to any great extent. Nevertheless, those 

 that we have shou'ld be preserved and care should be exercised 

 in stamping out this disease before it gains a larger foothold. 

 When the spores of this fungus gain entrance into a wound 

 on any part of the trunk or limbs, they commonly give rise to 

 a spreading canker which soon girdles the tree. In many ways 

 it resembles some forms of apple canker, oiily it is more de- 

 structive. The bark cambium and even the outer layers of sap 

 wood are destroyed. If the trunk is infected the entire tree 

 dies; if the smaller branches, only those portions beyond the 

 point of attack are killed. The canker usually shows in the 

 form of dead, discolored, sunken areas which later become 

 covered with orange or reddish brown spots about the size of 

 a pin head. Under damp ccHrLditions spores are freed and may 

 be carried by animals, insects and other agencies to other trees. 

 Small infections may be cut out, care being taken to use sharp 

 tools and to disinfect the wound after the operation. In case 

 of heavy infections, trees should be cut dbwn. About the only 

 remedy that would be efficient would seem to be the breeding 

 of resistant stock. 



White Pine Blister Rust. 



So far as we have been able to determine, this rust has not 

 gained entrance into the state and it is to be hoped that it will 

 never infect our white pine, as they form a large percentage 

 of our forest wealth. Should anything be discovered we hope 

 the Department will be notified at once. 



APPLE PACKING SCHOOLS. 



Early in the year, Harry Conant of East Hebron suggested 

 that the Department hold a three days' school at East Hebron 

 Grange Hall to demonstrate packing in boxes and in barrels and 

 to give a series of talks upon matters pertaining to the fruit 



