364 Report of the Horticulturist of the 



§ 83. Appointment and duties of the agent of the commis- 

 sioner of agriculture. — When the commissioner of agriculture 

 knows and has reason to believ^e that any such contagious disease 

 exists, or that there is good reason to believe it exists, or danger is 

 justly apprehended of its introduction in any town or city in the 

 state, he shall forthwith appoint a competent free holder of such 

 town or city as his agent, who shall hold office during his pleasure 

 and who shall within ten da3'S after his appointment, file an ac- 

 ceptance of the appointment, with the constitutional oath of office, 

 in the office of the town clerk of the town. Such agent shall on or 

 without complaint, whenever it comes to his notice that either of 

 the diseases known as yellows or black knot exists or is supposed to 

 exist within the limits of the town or city, proceed without delay to 

 examine the trees or fruit supposed to be infected, and if the disease 

 is found to exist, a distinguishing mark shall be placed upon the 

 diseased trees. If the disease is the black knot, such distinguishing 

 mark shall be placed on some affected part of the trees, or if in the 

 judgment of such agent any snch trees should be entirely destroyed, 

 then the trunk of such tree shall be thoroughly girdled, and thereupon 

 the owner notified personally, or by a written notice signed by such 

 agent and left at his usual place of residence, or if a non-resident by 

 leaving the notice with the person in charge of the trees or fruit, or 

 in whose possession they may be. Such notice shall contain a 

 statement of all the facts found to exist, with an order to effectually 

 remove and destroy by fire or otherwise the trees or parts of trees 

 so marked and designated, within ten days, Sundays excepted, from 

 the day of the service of the notice. In case of fruit so infected, 

 the notice shall require the person in whose possession or control it 

 is found, to immediately destroy the same or cause it to be done. 



§ 84. Proceedings in case of owner's failure to destroy. — 

 If any person shall refuse or neglect to comply with the order of 

 such agent to remove and destroy trees or parts of trees so marked 

 by him, such agent shall cause such trees or parts of trees to be 

 removed and destroyed forthwith, employing all necessary assist- 

 ant for that purpose ; and such agent or his employes may enter 

 upon any and all premises within the town or city for the purpose 

 of such removal and destruction. Such agent shall be entitled to 

 compensation for his service under this and the preceding sections 

 at a rate of two dollars for each full day spent by him in the dis- 

 charge of his duties, and the necessary disbursements paid or 

 incurred by him, which with the expense and removal and destruc- 

 tion of any such trees or fruit 'shall be a town charge. 



Fruit Rot. — The ripening fruit of plums f I'equently is destroyed 

 by the fungus which attacks in a similiar way peaches, cherries and 

 other fruits. The treatment of this fungus has already been dis- 

 cussed under cherries, see p. 351. As stated there, this disease may 



