FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT. 79 



Q. When does the disease spread, and may it not spread from the 

 branches cut off and left lying on the ground? 



Professor Taft— We do not know. It is thought by many to spread 

 in the spring. If the trees are cut down in the summer time I do not 

 think it is necessary to have them burned at once. We do not know 

 but it is the safest way, and I have always urged that, as soon as pos- 

 sible, they have these trees burned. No one knows anything about this 

 disease and hence it is not possible to make any definite statement. One 

 thing is sure, they should be destroyed as soon as possible, but we can 

 hold" the disease in check if we lop the branches and then later burn 

 them and then remove the stump. 



Q. I would like to ask if, when the township board fails to appoint 

 a commissioner, or when the inspector on account of public sentiment 

 fails to qualify or act, is there any state official that will look this mat- 

 ter up? 



Professor Taft — Yes, the state inspector of nurseries can then be 



called upon, 



Q. Where is the exi)euse paid from? 



Professor Taft — Do you mean when the township inspectors refuse 

 to act? 



A. Yes, and you are obliged to make the trip on that account, who 

 pays your expense, the state or the toT^^lship? 



Professor Taft — The state pays the expense I am to and then it is 

 assessed against the property by the township board. 



Q. Do you use arsenate of lead in paste or powdered form? 



Professor Taft — I have used paste. I have had some complaints 

 about brands that were first used as they did not work up very well. 

 I think, however, that as now made there is very little trouble about 

 stirring it up in water. 



Q. What pay docs a commissioner get? 



Prof. Taft— p.OO a day. 



Q. Suppose the township board refuses to pay it? 



Prof. Taft — The law says they shall. 



A Member — Up in my township I have been Yellows commissioner 

 for the last fifteen years and mj^ township board has authorized me 

 to examine every tree and where they were covered Avith scale to de- 

 stroy them. When I go into an orchard I never stop until that tree 

 is cut down. How bad have we gone against the law in this regard? 



Prof. Taft — This is the best way to do, but I think it is always de- 

 sirable to impress the OAvner with the need of it and get his consent 

 and co-operation in the first place. Of course, if nothing is said about 

 it this is the thing to do. It is best for the owner, and any man who 

 has trees that are diseased Avith the Y^ellows ought to thank the in- 

 spectors for cutting off the branches, as this would save him much 

 work. 



Q, What should be the time that these inspectors should give to 

 the owners in which to remoA^e and care for diseased trees? 



Prof. Taft — A reasonable time should be given. If the number of 

 the trees is not too large five days would be long enough, and they 

 should be cut down just as soon as possible. 



