147 



shown that wlieii a forest fire jumps your fire line, you juui}) ou 

 it while it is little and stamp it out rather than let it run while 

 you devise a theoretically sound method of attack. 



We are indebted to the two gentlemen Avho have had the cour- 

 age to come here and tell us that we didn't know. We don't 

 know. I Jut at least let us exert ourselves to the extent of aver- 

 age insurance cost. We don't know, but neither do the courage- 

 ous Messrs. Stewart and Clinton. Their objections savor larg(*ly 

 on the temperamental. For example, Professor Clinton tells 

 us that he thinks drought and other climatic causes may be re- 

 sponsible. This is very reasonable, but it is astonisliiug that 

 the gentlenmn did not bring something that was at least near- 

 evidence. If drought is the promoting factor, there have been 

 abundant opportunities to compare trees that were in different 

 relations with respect to water. Connecticut, with its many 

 infestations of blight has given great opportunity to find chest- 

 nut trees languishing for water on rocky, sandy, shaly, and other- 

 wise veiiy dry knolls. These could be compared with trees grow- 

 ing near water tables, in moist coves, below mill races, and in 

 other moist h)cations. Such comparisons would be in the nature 

 of proof for what is otherwise an entirely unproved theoretical 

 suggestion. Mr. Stewart opposed the cutting-out plan, men- 

 tioning as evidence the fact that Metcalf and Collins had cut 

 out an infestation and two years later the stumps showed a fun- 

 gus and six trees nearby had the blight. Would it not be better 

 to note that, after informal and experimental cutting out, only 

 six trees had blight? Mr. Stewart also mentions as a cause for 

 despair the fact that an outbreak at Fontella, Va., had been go- 

 ing since 1903. A Virginia report states that this oulbi-cak has 

 iu tliat lime spread to about an acre of woodland. 



A Lesson From the San Jose Scale. 



This miserable little bug with an umbrella on his back had 

 us scared nearly to death ten years ago because he killed our 

 fruit trees so mercilessly. Now any farmer can turn him into 

 soap and keep his orchard clean, and the scientists are now tell- 

 ing us to go at the chestnut blight; only there is this difference 



