238 



woodlots, ranging in size from a f(;w ac-i-es up to several hun- 

 dred acres. The soil is poor there and rocky, and gets poorer 

 in quality closer to the mountain. The stands are in about the 

 same condition as the oastern portion of tlie park, except where 

 some cutting has been done, and here the brush and growth of 

 forest weeds is very dense. The chestnut runs from 20 per cent, 

 to 40 per cent, of the stand, and chestnut oak is present together 

 with red, black, and white oaks. 



In direct contrast with the condition found in this portion 

 of Sylvan Dell Park is the condition observed on the Fish and 

 Game Preserve owned by the Jay Cooke Estate, This property 

 is several hundred acres in extent but only about one hundred 

 acres have been inspected. This portion of the tract is located 

 four miles northeast from W'aterville in Cummiiigs township, 

 in the west-central part of Lycoming county. The timber is 

 fully 00 i)er cent, clieshiut and is a clean, thrifty young pole 

 stand averaging six to ten inches in diamter, with 250 trees to 

 the acre. On less than five acres fully thirty trees were found 

 to be infected with blight. Tlie characteristic persistent leaves 

 of last summer were present in every case, but pustules were 

 visible only at a height of ten to twelve feet. As was stated, 

 the trees are unusually healthy and thrifty in appearance and 

 no signs of insect work were found. This center is, at the pres- 

 ent time, the most northwesterly infection known. 



The map accompanying this report gives the relative size of 

 the tracts, and shows approximately the centers of infection by 

 a cross in a circle. The numerals indicate the number of trees 

 in the center. 



The most typical center or spot infection was found on the 

 southwest corner of the Hamm tract (see map). There is tim- 

 ber all around this point, except on the west and northwest. 

 On the west it is cut over, and a young second growth of saplings 

 is present, while on the northwest is a cleared field. The real 

 center of this spot was a large tree about sixteen inches in diam- 

 eter, infected from top to bottom. The bark was fairly plastered 

 with pustules and all of the young saplings (of which there 

 were three or four growing from the base), were badly infected. 

 It seems reasonable to suppose that this infection has been 

 present for two or three years. 



