FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 259 



ing of the body of some of the little trees. He immediately referred 

 the matter to the writer, who suspected the trouble might be this rust and 

 promptly took steps to secure specimens. Some affected trees were secured 

 from this plantation and an examination of some plants of the same age 

 and from the same German nursery, which had been set in our nursery 

 at Lake Clear, showed the same disease. Dr. Spaulding of the U. S. Bureau 

 of Plant Industry was present and confirmed the identification as Perider- 

 mium sir obi, Klebahn, commonly called the white pine blister rust. 



The fact that this disease had been found was at once communicated 

 to Commissioner Whipple, who immediately called a conference to meet in 

 New York city, June 28th, inviting all the State and large private forestry 

 interests from Maine to Maryland and west to Ohio. The following is a 

 copy of the letter calling the conference: 



" Salamanca, N. Y., June 22, 1909. 



" Dear Sir. — Owing to the fact that there has been discovered on 

 white pine planting stock, recently imported from Germany into at least 

 three of our States, a serious fungus disease — the European currant rust — 

 which endangers all white pine in this country, I take the liberty to ask 

 your careful consideration of this important matter. 



" The disease seriously affects the growth of white pine, and eventually 

 kills the affected trees. It has become so serious in some countries, notably 

 Holland, as to prohibit the use of this, our most valuable tree. I believe if 

 prompt action is taken this serious disease can be stamped out. If action 

 is not taken immediately I believe that the future use of white pine must 

 be abandoned. 



" On account of the gravity of the situation I am taking the liberty 

 of calling a conference of the forestry interests of the Northeastern States 

 at the office of this Commission, No. 1 Madison avenue, New York city, 

 Monday, June 28, at 1 p. m. 



' You are urgently requested to be present and to wire your acceptance 

 to me at Salamanca, N. Y., on receipt of this letter. 



" Very sincerely yours, 



" (Signed) J. S. Whipple, 



Commissioner ." 



