CHAPTER VIII 



DISEASES OF FOREST AND ORNAMENTAL TREES 



THE diseases of forest trees are among the last to receive 

 the attention of man, partly because nature has grown 

 them without his interference, and partly because the 

 cost of applying remedies is usually so great as to pre- 

 clude all efforts at control, except those which are 

 carried on by the government as problems in national 

 economics. However, when any particular forest tree 

 for which there is a great commercial demand, or our 

 shade and ornamental trees are suffering from an 

 epidemic, the public comes to fully appreciate that the 

 trees, whether planted by mother nature or by the 

 hand of man, are subject to numerous diseases which 

 reduce their vitality and their value, and destroy great 

 numbers of them. 



It is no wonder that the diseases of the forest trees of 

 tropical countries, where nature has been so prodigal, 

 have received little or no attention. However, the 

 numerous diseases which occur on coffee, tea, cacao, 

 rubber, coco-nut, and other trees, and which have been 

 discussed in previous chapters, are ample proof that an 

 enormous number of diseases occur on the trees of our 

 native forests. It is also well known that some of these 

 diseases of forest trees are transmitted to certain of our 

 cultivated plants of other species, thus being a double 

 menace to the productiveness and welfare of the country. 



Although most, if not all, of these diseases have been 

 considered in the preceding chapters, it appears wise to 

 give some special attention to the subject at this time. 



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