IG 



yon limy be ahlc lo arrive at before you leave us. We know that 

 in conventions, we cannot exercise any governmental function; 

 yet we want this to be sonietbiuin- more tlian a "resolve to re- 

 solve" meeting, and we hope tliat something reall}^ tangible will 

 result from it. I liave noted just a few things which, as I 

 stated before, I would like to have you consider in your delibera- 

 tions : 



This Conference lias lieeii called for the purpose of obtaining 

 all possible informaticm concerning the best methods of fighting 

 the destructive fungous disease known as the chestnut tree bark 

 disease or the chestnut tree blight, which was first detected in 

 the neighborhood of Kew York City about eight years ago, and 

 has since spread to the Northeast as far as Eastern Massachu- 

 setts, and to the Southwest as far as Central Pennsylvania, 

 Maryland and Northern Virginia. 



This tree disease is virulent in character. To date, no specific 

 remed}^ to be applied to individual trees is known. 



It seems almost unthinkable that a disease of this character 

 should have invaded so large an area and that no means of pre- 

 venting its spread is yet at hand. Unless tliis disease be stopped 

 by concerted action among the States, it is certain that within 

 a fcAV years very few living Avild chestnut trees Avill be found in 

 America. It is, therefore, entirely in accord with the American 

 spirit that we make every effort to destroy or clM3ck the advance 

 of this blight. 



The value of the standing chestnut stock to-day in America is 

 enormous. In Pennsylvania alone, the wild chestnut tree is 

 found native throughout the State, and in its southern c(mnties 

 is the principal remaining forest tree. The value of this tree in 

 the State of Virginia is reliably conceded by competent au- 

 thority to be not less than thirty-five millions of dollars. I be- 

 lieve that here in Pennsylvania, by a very conservative estimate, 

 placing a valuation of fifty cents upon each tree in our wood- 

 lands, which you will admit is a very low estimate, the value of 

 the wild chestnut trees is at hmst forty millions of dollars. 



The best chestnut in the world is still standing in (he moun- 

 tains of North Carolina, West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and 

 Tennessee. The chestnut stock of the future must necessarily 

 be drawn from these states. To date, the blight has not reached 



