224 W. V. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 187 
providing for the destruction of trees so affected; creating a 
commission to carry out the purpose of this act; fixing penal- 
ties for the violation of the provisions hereof; and making an 
appropriation therefor”. 
Soon after the passage of the bill, in June 1911, a com- 
mission was appointed. At present they have a well organiz- 
ed staff and are preparing for a tremendous campaign against 
the disease this coming season. They have accomplished 
much work of value already, and have had a considerable 
number of trained men in the field all the time. Space will 
not permit a detailed discussion of ‘their methods, but they 
would surely serve as a safe model for any other state. 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 
Since the disease is known to be present in West Virginia, 
we owe it to ourselves and to neighboring states to take defi- 
nite and immediate steps for preventing its further spread. 
The disease has been found in a number of chestnut nur- 
series and in several cases local areas of infection have been 
directly traced to such diseased stock. Any one contemplat- 
ing the purchase of chestnut trees from nurseries would do 
well to correspond with the Agricultural Experiment Station 
at Morgantown, before securing them. Any such trees should 
be inspected by competent authorities in this state before 
being accepted or paid for. 
Some careful inspection work should be done in the vicini- 
ties of the three local infections already reported for this 
state and in the northern and north eastern portions of the 
state during the next season. 
The control of this disease is a matter of great economic 
importance to the State of West Virginia, and deserves the 
serious consideration and hearty co-operation of every citizen. 
We would urge that everyone make it a point to take care- 
ful note of the condition of any chestnut trees which may 
