151 



similar in a general way, to this chestnut disease. We are spend- 

 ing in Masachusetts practically a million dollars every year on 

 these insects. Furthermore, if Massachusetts had not taken hold 

 of this problem as it did, undoubtedly these moths Avould have 

 been into Pennsylvania by this time. But we have taken hold of 

 it and we have methods and we understand more about this prob- 

 lem than we possibly could without this large appropriation. 

 The business-like way in which the State took hold of it has 

 commended itself. The State of Massachusetts is greatly in- 

 terested as we have been discussing the pro and con as to means 

 and ideas with regard to this blight disease. It is the same 

 thing, going through the same thing only of another kind that 

 the gypsy moth fight in Massachusetts has been. Even some of 

 the best entomologists of the country seemed to think originally 

 that the attempt to destroy the moths was money thrown away, 

 but the people living in tlie infested country have appreciated 

 the importance of it and we realize to-day that the money has 

 been well spent. We have spent practically seven millions of 

 dollars on these insects. On this chestnut blight disease, there- 

 fore. We do not care to go to a big expenditure in Massachusetts. 

 What I have done thus far with this chestnut disease is to en- 

 deavor to systematize the work and carr}^ it out along the same 

 line that we are carrying out our gypsy and browntail moth de- 

 predation work and our general forestr^^ work. Forest fires have 

 been mentioned. The economic importance of putting a stop to 

 forest fires came along after the moths came. One thing has 

 evolved into another. At the present time I veritably believe 

 that in certain sections of IMassachusetts the gypsy moth has 

 been a blessing to those sections. Why? IJecause formerly 

 there Avas no system of forestry management and little forest 

 educatijon developed. We have gone in, cleaned up stumps, 

 dead wood and debris, selected better species of various trees, 

 that are now protected, and in tw'enty to tAventy-five years I 

 veritably believe the product will pay for all the expenses we 

 have been to up to the present time. 



Now this question of the blight disease again : As I have looked 

 upon it, — my observations may not be very keen, — but as I have 

 looked upon it in my own mind, we find it where the conditions 

 are unbalanced. That is here appears to be the worst condition 



