cient quantity from our nurseries and a large number were im- 

 ported from Germany. We very much regret to say that we have 

 since found some of the white pines were affected with ( blister 

 rust/ although they were carefully inspected. This disease may, 

 if allowed to take its course, become very serious, but if prompt 

 action is taken it can be prevented from spreading to other trees 

 or establishing itself. 



" The disease is peculiar in that it lives for a time on white pine, 

 then on currant or gooseberry bushes, and then back on the pine 

 again, but never goes direct from pine to pine. The spores of this 

 disease are borne on the pine in May, while they are not produced 

 on. the currants or gooseberries until August. 



"A campaign has been carefully outlined by the State Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture and the Forest, Fish and Game Commission 

 in order to control the disease. The method is simply to remove 

 and burn all currants and gooseberries, both wild and cultivated, 

 either within a plantation or on a strip not less than three hundred 

 feet wide around the outside of all such plantations. However, 

 in order to have this method effective such gooseberries and cur- 

 rants must be destroyed before August first. 



" Owing to the large number of places to which this stock has 

 been sent and the short space of time in which the work ought to 

 be done it is necessary we ask your co-operation in this matter. 

 Therefore, will you begin at once to remove and burn all currant 

 and gooseberry bushes, both wild and cultivated, either within 

 or on a strip not less than three hundred feet wide all around 

 your plantation? 



" Hoping at an early date, to hear that we will receive your as- 

 sistance in this matter, I remain, 



u Very truly yours, 

 (Signed) "C. R. Pettis, 



State Forester." 



All nurserymen, horticulturists and other persons interested are 

 urged to report promptly to the Department of Agriculture any 

 outbreak or suspicious symptoms of the above-described disease. 



