MICHIGAN EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS 341 



to cut off and destro3^ the portions of pear trees diseased with blight, and 

 bhick knot upon plum and cherry trees. 



When trees are infested with canker worms, San Jos^ scale and other 

 injuiious insects, or are infected w'ith dangerous diseases, owners are 

 required by law to effectually spray the trees, or, if necessary, to destroy 

 them. Spraying, except for the canker worm, is prohibited while the 

 trees are in blossom. Under the spraying law such injurious diseases 

 and insects (aside from those mentioned above) would naturally be in- 

 cluded, as are not commonly distributed, or which if not destroyed are 

 likely to injure neighboring trees. 



In case notice is served on the owners, by the commissioners, or by the 

 State Inspector of Orchards or by his deputies, requiring the destruction 

 or the spraying of the trees, (unless they avail themselves of the right to 

 appeal as noted hereafter) they must comply with the requirements within 

 five days or they will be subject to fine or imprisonment. 



DUTIES OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



When any township board or city council are aware of the presence of 

 dangerous insects or diseases, within their jurisdiction, or when ten free- 

 holders petition for it, it is their duty to appoint three competent free- 

 holders as commissioners, w^ho shall hold office during the pleasure of the 

 board and until their successors are appointed. If the township officers 

 neglect or refuse to make the appointment, they are subject to fine or 

 imprisonment or both. 



DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONERS. 



The commissioners shall, within ten days after appointment, file their 

 acceptance with the city or township clerk, who shall be the clerk of the 

 board and keep a record of their proceedings. 



It is the duty of the commissioners, or any one of them, to examine any 

 trees supposed to be infected Avith dangerous diseases or insects, and if the 

 diseases or insects are found, they must put some mark upon the tree and 

 serve notice upon the owner to destroy the tree if it is infected with yel- 

 lows, or to cut off the diseased portions if it is black knot, pear blight, 

 etc., or to effectuall}' spray the trees in case of dangerous insects, 

 within five days. When infected with San Jos6 scale the commissioners 

 can, if deemed necessary, order the destruction of the trees. When the 

 owner neglects to comply with the law within five days, it becomes the 

 dutv of the commissioners to have the trees destroved, or effectuallv 

 sprayed, as may be necessary. The commissioners are allowed for their 

 services two dollars for each full day, and this and their other expenses 

 must he audited by the township board or city council. Their expenses 

 for destroying trees affected with yellows, or cutting back those with 

 black knot or pear blight are levied upon the premises by the supervisor 

 and collected the same as delinquent highway taxes, but for spraying 

 or destroying trees affected with San Jos(^ scale, and other injurious 

 insects and fungous diseases, the expense must be recovered by the town- 

 ship from the owmer of the premises in an action of assumpsit. 



If the commissioners neglect their duties they are subject to the same 

 penalties as the township board. 



