40 



in Pennsylvania. The rapid spread of the infection and its devastation in the 

 infected areas of the State has produced such an alarming situation that the 

 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted measures looking to the possible con- 

 trol of the disease. A chestnut tree killed by the blight is killed by the gird- 

 ling of the trunk. The disease does not injure the wood although it pene- 

 trates a few annual rings. The problem of utilizing the blight killed wood, 

 the Federal Government has ascertained, is merely a question of using dead 

 timber. The wood generally answers for all purposes for which healthy 

 chestnut is demanded, and recent official strength tests have proved that 

 sound killed chestnut is fully as strong as live healthy wood. To owners of 

 blight killed timber , the Forest Service has pointed out the necessity of its use 

 within two years after death as subsequent to that period, deterioration, due 

 to checking, insect injury and decay, is quite rapid. 



Table 24. Consumption of Chestnut, year ending June, 1912. 



43.80% in. 56.20% out. 



BEECH. 



(Fagus atropunicea)=(F. grandifolia). 



Considering that thirty-three industries demand beech for more than 230 

 distinct uses, it can properly be termed one of Pennsylvania's important hard- 

 woods, though not many years ago it was considered by manufacturers of 

 little value. There is but one species in Pennsylvania and its stand is abund- 



