604 BULLETIN 347 
presented many difficulties. The chestnut in the part of the State west 
of the line of advance (Fig. 78) was of considerable value and worthy of 
being saved if this had been economically possible. The region that 
contained the greatest amount of the valuable chestnut timber of the 
State, however, lay in the hopelessly affected area. One of the writers, 
in making a report to Doctor Metcalf in October, 1911, made the following 
statements: ‘It is well, however, to consider the difficulties involved. 
The advancing line [Fig. 78] is in a region in which the topography is 
extremely rough, the hills are thickly wooded, and the chestnut is 
Fic. 101.— Burning the branches over the stumps. All broken-off branches and chips are 
raked up and burned 
abundant. Under such adverse conditions, it would be, to say the least, 
a gigantic task if not indeed an impossible one. If natural barriers were 
more favorable, such a scheme might be more feasible.’’ No special 
appropriation or plan to control the disease was made. The position 
of State Forest Pathologist was inaugurated in July, 1912, and one of 
the writers was appointed to this position. Ficld investigations on the 
chestnut canker were conducted until October, 1913. These are reported 
elsewhere (Rankin, 1914). 
The writers understand that West Virginia and Virginia (Gravatt, 
1914) are scouting for spot infections and eradicating them as fast as 
