RECENT TROUBLES WITH OUR FOREST TREES 63 



Word has been sent out recently from the Massachusetts State 

 Forester to all farmers and woodland owners through his local town 

 officials and by means of the press, emphasizing the fact that this 

 year ofPers exceptional opportunities for doing splendid con- 

 structive forestry work. The price of coal is very high and should 

 present conditions continue even more direful need for fuel may 

 exist another season. At any rate everything is favorable for the 

 better solving of our moth troubles and establishing permanent 

 forestry conditions. 



This whole subject is discussed more fully in the publications of 

 the Massachusetts State Forester which are available to those 

 interested. I trust I have pointed out that utilization, particu- 

 larly in our fight in the moth control work in Massachusetts, has 

 been a very practical method of attack. This work will necessarily 

 need to be continued for years. If the gypsy and brown-tail 

 moths have done nothing else they have driven us to a stern realiza- 

 tion that we need to practice more and better methods of forestry 

 management if we are to get best results. 



Chestnut Blight. 



The disease known as the Chestnut Blight has swept over the 

 northeastern part of the United States and apparently stands 

 ready to annihilate the chestnut tree in this section. It is common 

 to Massachusetts generally, although in some sections of the state, 

 conditions are worse than in others. As the disease is communi- 

 cable from tree to tree, and is very virulent, the outcome is entirely 

 problematic. 



As is the case with moth work, Massachusetts is giving all 

 possible aid to chestnut tree- owners in utilization of their products 

 and at the same time is determining upon some forestry policy for 

 the cut-over land. Where the chestnut is in mixture of pine, the 

 pine is retained with the idea of supplanting the chestnut growth 

 with this species. Chestnut poles, ties, and saw timber are all in 

 demand at good prices; hence conditions are very favorable for 

 owners to realize on this crop. 



