PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



STATEN ISLAND ASSOCIATION 



OF 



ARTS AND SCIENCES 



[Formerly The Natural Science Association of Staten Island] 



Vol. II July i 9o8-February 1909 Part III 



The Chestnut Disease on Staten Island 1 



By Arthur Hollick 



Probably all of us have had our attention attracted to the large 

 number of dead and dying chestnut trees throughout the island 

 during the past two or three years ; and so many persons have 

 evinced an interest in the matter and sought for information in 

 regard to the phenomenon, that it has occurred to me to present 

 a brief outline of what we have learned in regard to the nature 

 of the cause and certain incidental correlated facts. 



The disease apparently had its origin somewhere in this vicinity 

 and probably had begun its ravages before the time when it first 

 attracted serious attention, in 1905. Exactly where the center 

 of affection may have been has not been determined, nor is it 

 certain where or by whom the effects were first systematically 

 observed and recorded. 2 



By that time the disease had become so noticeable in Bronx 

 Park that it could- no longer be ignored by those who were 

 responsible for the care of the trees, and an investigation was 

 begun by Dr. Murrill to determine if possible the exact nature 



1 Presented October 17, 1908. 



2 Dr. W. A. Murrill, "A Serious Chestnut Disease." Journ. N. Y. Bot. 

 Gard. 7: I43-I53, figs. 13-19- June, 1906. 



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