92 CONTROL OF THE CHESTNUT BARK DISEASE. 
owner’s risk. Of course, if an owner desires to employ tree surgeons 
to experiment, that is another matter. 
ADVANCING POPULAR KNOWLEDGE OF THE DISEASE. 
In the localities where infection is general or complete (fig. 1) 
everyone knows what the chestnut bark disease is and what its symp- 
toms are and everyone appreciates its seriousness; but in these local- 
ities it is too late even to attempt its control. On the other hand, in 
Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, western and southern Mary- 
land, western Pennsylvania, central and northern New York, Massa- 
chusetts, and Rhode Island very few people know the symptoms of 
the disease. On this account no one notices it until it is thoroughly 
established, and by the time public sentiment is sufficiently aroused 
to authorize the necessary legislation and bring about united action 
for public protection it is too late for such action to be of service. 
Obviously, then, every effort should be made by all State and other 
officials having such matters in charge to acquaint every citizen with 
the prominent symptoms of the bark disease and to familiarize him 
with the fact that unless prompt and united action is taken there 
is every indication that the chestnut tree in the States above men- 
tioned will become practically extinct within 10 years. 
COOPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
In this campaign of education the Department of Agriculture will 
cooperate in the following ways: Copies of this bulletin or of other 
publications of this Department relating to the bark disease, and also 
typical specimens of the disease, will be sent to any person applying 
for them. Two specimens will be sent to each person—one showing 
the appearance of the disease on smooth bark, and the other the later 
development of the fungus on thick bark. In both these specimens 
the fungus will have been killed by soaking in formalin, to insure 
against any infection from this source. 
So far as the supply permits, lantern slides and photographs will, 
upon application, be loaned for special lectures, exhibits, etc., to the 
officers of States, experiment stations, colleges, and schools where 
agriculture is taught, as well as to tree wardens and other officials 
whose work may bear directly upon local campaigns of publicity. 
This Department will always examine any suspected specimens of 
this disease sent to Washington by mail, and will report the findings 
as promptly as possible. Before sending specimens, however, all 
persons are urged to read the paragraphs on symptoms on pages 6 to 
9 in order to select the specimens intelligently. For example, if the 
end of a girdled and withered branch is sent, it is not possible to make 
a dependable diagnosis unless a portion of the girdling area happens 
to be included. This is the only part where the fungus is surely 
present, and the fungus itself must be seen in order to be absolutely 
sure of the disease. Portions of the bark that show the small orange 
or reddish-brown pustules, about the size of the head of a pin, should 
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