‘CHESTNUT TREE BLIGHT. 31 
been recommended b some authorities as superior to tar, but it is 
more expensive. If the tar is very thick, the addition of a little creo- 
sote will improve it for antiseptic purposes as well as for ease in 
applying. If the first coat is thin, a second one of fairly thick tar 
should be Bee within a few weeks or months. Other coats should 
be applied later whenever it becomes necessary. 
The entire tree should be carefully examined for diseased spots and 
every one thoroughly cut out anid treated in the way already de- 
scribed. In case of suspicious-looking spots a portion of the outer 
bark can be cut out with the sharp gouge asa test. If this cut shows 
the characteristically discolored Mace the spot can be considered as 
diseased and cut out accordingly; if the cut shows healthy bark, it 
need merely be treated with tar or paint, as other cuts are treated. 
In examining a tree for diseased spots it is always best to begin at 
the base of the trunk and work up, for if the trunk is girdled at the 
base it is useless to work anywhere on the tree. 
When the spores of the fungus are present, especially in the form 
of threads, or “‘horns,” they are readily washed down the branches 
and trunk by every rain, and are thus carried down to.or toward 
the base of the tree. As a result the base of a tree, the crotches, and 
other places which afford easy lodgment for the spores are particu- 
larly subject to infection. 
Although spraying with any of the standard fungicides appears 
to have no effect whatever in stopping the progress of the disease 
after it has once started in the inner or middle bark, there is little 
doubt that it is of use in preventing infection from spores washed 
down by rain from the upper part of a tree or from spores which 
have been transported from other trees. For this reason the spray- 
ing, after each rain, of the parts of a tree below a spore-bearing 
lesion is recommended, but only on an experimental basis. If no 
spore-bearing lesions occur on the tree, there is less ee reason 
for spraying. The scattering of slaked lime about the base of a tree 
and the whitewashing of the trunk and larger limbs have shown 
apparently beneficial results in preventing infections and perhaps 
ale depredations of borers. ee ; ; 
A tree which is being treated for individual infections must be 
carefully watched and the diseased spots ee aed cut out as they 
appear. For this purpose each tree should be examined very care- 
fully two or three times at least during the growing season. 
The Department of Agriculture asks the cooperation of all persons 
who have experimented with the disease in any way, and in return 
is ready to give specific advice, based upon extensive experience with 
the disease, as to the best methods of attempting its control or as to 
what are likely to be the most profitable systematic observations or 
experiments. 
ADVICE TO CHESTNUT ORCHARDISTS. 
In view of the uncertain future of the chestnut tree, the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture advises against planting chestnuts anywhere east 
of Ohio, at least until it is settled what efforts will be made by the 
individual States to control the bark disease. The only exception is 
that Japanese chestnuts may be en wn if raised from. ares seeds 
and not grafted on American stocks. If the seed is raised in America, 
