DISEASES OF THE CHESTNUT AND OTHER TREES 95 



Edward R. Farrar asked if there was any record of this disease 

 in Europe. Dr. Metcalf replied that the origin of the disease was 

 entirely unknown and we do not know where it came from. There 

 are several theories regarding its origin, one of which is that it was 

 imported into this country on the Japanese chestnut. It is possible 

 that it may have developed from a weaker form, but the whole 

 matter is at present only one of conjecture. 



The question was asked as to how prevalent the disease was in the 

 immediate vicinity of Boston. 



Dr. Metcalf answered that it was not very prevalent hereabouts 

 and that the only cases known were those reported by Mr. Curtis. 



Prof. F. W. Rane remarked that the disease was pretty well 

 distributed all over Massachusetts. He had spent the past week 

 in the western part of the state studying the conditions in various 

 places and while the disease had been noticed occasionally he did 

 not feel that there was occasion at present for undue alarm. 



Prof. Rane called attention to the recent Bulletin on the chestnut 

 bark disease in this state issued from the State Forester's office 

 which could be obtained by anyone interested. He also offered 

 the assistance of his office to all having woodlands containing 

 chestnut trees and stated that there was no possible excuse for 

 ignorance on the subject. 



