596 BULLETIN 347 
“The treatment of a disease of this nature must, of course, be almost 
entirely preventive. When once allowed to enter, it cannot be reached 
by poisons applied externally, nor can the spores, which issue continuously 
and abundantly through eruptions in the bark be rendered innocuous by 
any coating applied at intervals. On the other hand, no poisonous wash, 
even though covering every part of the tree, can prevent the germination 
of the disseminated spores when they fall into a wound, since ‘the wound 
opens up fresh tissues unprotected by the poison. 
“The spraying of young trees with copper sulfate solution, or strong 
bordeaux mixture, in the spring before the buds open might be of advantage 
in killing the spores that have found lodgment among the branches during 
the winter, but the real efficacy of this treatment is so doubtful that it 
could not be recommended for large trees, where the practical difficulties 
and expense of applying it are much increased. Nursery trees should 
be pruned of all affected branches as soon as they are discovered, and the 
wounds carefully dressed with tar or paint or other suitable substance. 
Vigilance and care should largely control the disease among young trees. 
With older trees all dead and infected wood should be cut out and burned 
and all wounds covered without delay.” 
Murrill (1906 b:209) says also: “I have no treatment to suggest 
further than the preventive measures already mentioned.” In 1908 
he adds (1908 a:24-25): ‘‘ Preventive measures have apparently not 
affected it in the slightest degree. The pruning of diseased branches has 
entirely failed to check it, even in the case of very young trees. Branches 
have been carefully removed and wounds covered, leaving the tree appar- 
ently entirely sound, but upon inspection a few weeks or a few months 
later they would be found badly diseased at other points.’ In the same 
publication (page 30) he advises eradication measures for spot infections 
“in the woods: ‘ Owners of standing chestnut timber within the affected 
area are advised to cut and use all trees, both old and young, that stand 
within half a mile of diseased trees, unless protected from infection by 
wind-blown spores, by dense forest growth, or some other natural barrier.” 
Hodson (1908:7) advises: ‘‘(z) To cut out the diseased trees, (2) to 
institute a quarantine against the shipment of infected material.’ 
Metcalf (1908 b: 490) also advocated the cutting-out method for limiting 
the spread of the disease. He writes: ‘In certain localities where the 
disease is just appearing it would undoubtedly be possible, by prompt 
cutting down or treatment of all infected trees and by very careful inspec- 
tion, to maintain a zone free from the disease, and hence keep the disease 
out of the still uninfected country beyond.” Clinton (1909:890) writes: 
“No efficacious treatment for the prevention of the trouble has yet been 
found, though spraying, pruning, and burning of infected trees have been 
advocated.” 
