77 



iuice in lliis cotiiilry dc[»ciid in kirj^c iiicasuic; Llic pracLicabiiily 

 or inij)ractic'ability of the only nietliod now advocated for its 

 control, namely, tin; cndinj^ onl and dcsliMiction of the diseased 

 trees. 



Before proceeding to a discnssion of the reasons why I hold 

 the view I- do, let ns consider for a moment the apparent reasons 

 for the other vie\N'. So far as I can make them out, they are as 

 foUows: 



(1). The trouble appeared suddeidy and seriously, and as it 

 is unusual for a fungns thus to sprinj; up in a country where 

 it has never been known before, it is presumably an imported 

 one. 



(2). But such a serious disease of chestnuts has never been 

 known before in any other country. However, insects and weeds 

 and fungi also, that have been comparatively inconspicuous in 

 their native countries, when introduced into a new country, 

 sometimes develop into serious pests because of their new and 

 unusually favorable surroundings. 



(3). The Japanese species of chestnut has apparently shown 

 considerable immunit}' to the chestnut disease, more so than any 

 other. It may therefore be supposed that the fungus is an in- 

 conspicuous native of Japan, and was brought into this country 

 on seedlings from there. It spread to our native chestnuts, and 

 finding these much less resistant to its attacks, has suddenly 

 spread through the regions in which it is now known to occur. 



(I). The preceding statements being true, there is no reason 

 why it should not go on spreading, and annihilating the chest- 

 nuts of the eastern and southern United States. 



(5). Preliminary cutting out experiments in ;i region with- 

 in thirty-flve miles of Washington, D. C, are claimed to have 

 prevented the spread of the disease in that region, and based on 

 this, the much more extensive work in Pennsylvania is now being- 

 carried on, and similar work is advocated in other States to 

 prevent its further spread through the south and west. 



Now, if the preceding points are true, Pennsylvania has pos- 

 sibly taken a wise step in trying to control the disease. That it 

 can ever be eradicated, the writer does not believe for one in- 

 stant, and he has serious doubts about the control being effective 

 or financially profitable, since it means a continuous fight, much 



