36 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



tive. With the watchfulness maintained by the state officials, 

 and a general co-operation of the nurserymen, it is expected 

 that our territory will be kept free from serious dangers. The 

 situation with respect to the more common tree pests is this: 



CHESTNUT BLIGHT. 



The disease has been found in Salem County so that the only 

 part of the state now unaffected is Cape May County. Trees 

 in the northern and central sections are dying rapidly and fall- 

 ing under the ax. There are some indications that the blight is 

 slightly less ^virulent than it was and is progressing less rapidly. 

 There is, however, no proof of this. 



It is now thought that the disease came from China where it 

 has been found on native chestnuts which are virtually immune 

 to its attack. The practical bearing of this discovery is that 

 we may look forward to a time when the chestnuts in this coun- 

 try will become resistant. It is not likely that this will happen 

 before all of New Jersey's chestnut trees are gone. Tree and 

 forest owners are advised, as heretofore, to realize on their 

 chestnut timber as soon as the trees are dead or seriously af- 

 fected, but not to fell any tree in advance of its death except in sit- 

 uations where economy dictates a clear cutting. In this case the 

 sacrifice of affected individuals will not help those that are 

 still apparently sound. On the other hand, dead trees should 

 not be allowed to stand long lest they furnish breeding places 

 for harmful insects or foster other diseases. 



The market for chestnut poles, posts and railroad ties is still 

 good and prices well maintained, but there is a glut of cordwood 

 and it appears inevitable that much must be allowed to decay. 

 All efforts to utilize this material in excess quantity have thus 

 far failed, though the forest authorities of New York, Pennsyl- 

 vania. Connecticut and the U. S. Department of Agriculture 

 have joined with those of New Jersey in attempts to find an 

 outlet. 



Valuable shade trees may sometimes be given an increased 

 length of life by careful pruning if their owners feel warranted 

 in incurring the expense. Specific directions for such work will 

 be sent upon request. Owners of blighted chestnut are espe- 



