326 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



ward. ... I have had trees under observation since that winter, and 

 know of a great many which have recovered entirely. I gathered speci- 

 mens of certain trees for my laboratory which are absolutely recovered. 

 This has occurred in all cases where the tips of the leaves were burned 

 back only slightly, but when the needles were killed outright there was 

 no recovery of course. 



"I had a great many opportunities to observe this in trees planted in 

 rows and growing in forests, and there was absolutely no indication of 

 any contagion, showing that the fungus was a purely secondary matter. 

 In the Middlesex Fells I found about a dozen of these trees two years 

 ago, and made a careful examination of them, but they were isolated 

 from one another in all cases. 



"I have been in consultation with some of the authorities in Wash- 

 ington in regard to this trouble, since I have had a large number of speci- 

 mens to examine, and do not think there is any difference in our diag- 

 nosis. This trouble is also found in other portions of New England, 

 Connecticut and Vermont, and I believe it has been reported in New 

 Hampshire." 



Some spraying for this disease has been done in Massachusetts, 

 though it is not now believed that such treatment is of any great value. 

 The trees may be saved, however, says State Forester Rane, if treated 

 in time with the right kind of fertilizer. In case most of the needles on 

 the tree are destroyed, the tree cannot be saved by any kind of treat- 

 ment ; and the forester's advice to the owners of such tree is that they 

 cut it down before it dies if there is lumber in it worth saving. If it is 

 only slightly touched, it may possibly be revived. Three pounds of 

 nitrate of soda to a good-sized tree, spread over the ground as far as the 

 branches reach, will give it vigor enough to get out of the effects of the 

 disease attack. 



This remedy has been practised by H. L. Frost & Co., tree 

 specialists of Boston, with good success for several years. 



Equipment. 

 During the past year the State Forester has found it necessary 

 to have some additional equipment for carrying on his work. 

 The principal additions are: two field hand cameras; one sur- 

 veyor's level; two hypsometers; two aneroid barometers; two 

 right angle finders; a pedometer; a set of book cases and files; 

 and other smaller field implements and drafting room supplies. 



Changes in Assistants. 

 The State Forester has been very fortunate in having a corps of 

 efficient assistants throughout the year. The only deplorable 



