FORESTER'S REPORT. 75 



CHESTNUT BLIGHT. 



This disease has become so wide-spread and so serious that the 

 whole country is aroused. All efforts to check it have proved un- 

 availing and those who know most about it, the plant pathologists, 

 are agreed that much systematic study is necessary before an ef- 

 fective remedy is likely to be discovered. Meantime the blight may 

 run its course or gradually become innocuous. 



The State Plant Pathologist has been appointed a member of 

 the Federal Board authorized by Congress to study the disease in 

 all its phases. Of the $80,000 appropriated for this purpose, a 

 considerable portion has been allotted to this State. A more de- 

 tailed account of this work will be found in the report of the State 

 Plant Pathologist. 



In so far as New Jersey is concerned we are still bearing the 

 brunt of the attack. No infections have been reported from Salem 

 or Cape May counties, but elsewhere the progress of the pest is 

 steadily westward and southward. Whether this progress is more 

 or less rapid than it has been can not be determined ; there are some 

 indications that it is slightly more sluggish in its progress and in 

 its virulence. But there is no reason to modify the recommendations 

 heretofore made, namely: 



Where trees valuable enough to warrant some expense are con- 

 cerned it may be worth while to try to prolong their lives by prun- 

 ing. No assurance can be given that such treatment will prove 

 of more than temporary value, yet as nothing else will avail at all 

 it may be resorted to. Prompt treatment of this kind is recommend- 

 ed in Salem and Cape May counties where the disease has not yet 

 obtained a foothold. Specific directions for such pruning will be 

 sent upon request. 



In all other cases, .and this applies to practically every body of 

 forest, it will- be wisest to convert the trees into timber as soon as 

 the disease appears and allow the young oaks, etc., that may have 

 started under them to fill their places. Where there are large gaps 

 evergreens 'should be planted. There is not the slightest use an- 

 ticipating the actual death of any tree for our whole territory is so 

 full of spores that to fell it would have no effect. On the other 

 hand every dead tree should be promptly removed lest it provide 

 breeding places for" harmful insects or lodgment for the germs of 

 other diseases. The blight is not known to attack any other species 



