2 26 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



tree will take its place, as the chestnut disease makes the future of this tree 

 look dubious. 



On the Harriman estate the superintendent stated that much the 

 same methods were being used; along the roads cleanings only, in the more 

 remote portions of the woodland, improvement thinnings, where seven to 

 ten cords per acre were taken out. Poplar, sassafras and chestnut (owing 

 to disease) are especially discriminated against. Maple and tulip are 

 favored. 



Damage. Numerous spots are found where fire, sweeping over the 

 hills, has killed the sprouts. Chestnut seems especially susceptible. 



A tract of ioo acres of fine young chestnut poles was found which had 

 been killed outright by fire seven years ago. These poles, at the size when 

 killed, were fit only for cordwood; but in a few years more ties and tele- 

 phone poles could have been secured, which would at least have quad- 

 rupled the value of the yield. Instances where fire has seriously checked 

 the growth of young sprouts are innumerable. 



The sentiment concerning the amount of damage done by fires is 

 rather lax. Some allow fires to burn regardless. Others fight them only 

 when their own land is in peril, and a very few are eager to keep fires out 

 altogether. 



From all accounts the railroads give very little help toward the pre- 

 vention of fires. 



Fungus. By far the most serious fungus disease to be found in this 

 region is the chestnut bark disease, Diaporthe parastica. This disease, 

 advancing from New York city in all directions, has reached the Highlands 

 and is found more especially in the southern and southeasterly portions of 

 the reservation, say, from Bog Meadow pond, south. As yet the damage 

 done has been comparatively slight, but the rapid spread of the disease 

 and the virulence of its attacks around New York city and in southwestern 

 Connecticut make the situation appear decidedly grave, especially when the 

 prominence of the chestnut in this region is considered. As yet not more 

 than i to 2 per cent, are infected and a still smaller quantity killed. 



White Pine Blight. The white pine blight is also present and at the 

 present time constitutes a menace to the seedlings planted on the West 



