1911.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 31. 55 



blight (Gloeosporium) , and various atmospheric gases, or illumi- 

 nating gas, escaping into the soil, often cause effects resembling 

 those produced by sun scorch. Severe injury is caused espe- 

 cially by the illuminating gas. Under ordinary conditions trees 

 seldom recover when once poisoned by this gas. It is possible, 

 however, in certain cases of gas poisoning, especially in the in- 

 cipient stage, to amputate certain roots at the base of the trunk, 

 which prevents the further translocation of the poisonous sub- 

 stances and often saves the tree. 



Every tree which dies along the roadside, however, is not 

 necessarily killed by gas or electricity, notwithstanding the fact 

 that this seems to be a popular belief. It should be said that 

 the public service corporations of Massachusetts, on the whole, 

 take a very sensible and unbiased view of the claims for gas 

 injury, and if the people would meet them in this same spirit 

 adjustments of legitimate claims for damages would no doubt be 

 satisfactorily made in practically every case. 



