98 Second Annual Report of the 



steps be taken to not only prevent the establishment of the white 

 pine blister rust, but also to control the rust which grows on the 

 currants, because it is possible to spread the disease through the 

 latter agency. 



Chestnut Bark Disease. 



As a result of the experiments and study into the nature and 

 life history of the chestnut bark disease, made by this depart- 

 ment, the following important points have been determined: 

 1st. That the fungus is disseminated from one tree to another 



almost entirely by wind. 

 2nd. That infection is possible through any sort of wound which 



exposes the inner bark. 

 3rd. That the spores which transmit the disease mature at all 



times of the year in great numbers, and the spore bodies 



are most liable to be broken during rain storms occurring 



in spring, summer and fall. 



Arrangements are under way to secure financial assistance from 

 and to co-operate with the IT. S. Department of Agriculture in 

 getting a survey of the chestnut area of this State. 



Chestnut Oak Disease. 



A disease of the chestnut oak was reported from Yonkers : an 

 examination has been made and work is being; conducted to 

 determine its life history. 



*B 



Nursery Diseases. 



During the past summer it has been necessary to call the 

 Forest Pathologist's attention to Norway spruce transplants in one 

 of our nurseries which had an unhealthy appearance. He has not 

 yet been able to determine whether or not a root disease, which 

 is common in nursery soil, was the cause of this injury. The loss 

 is probably due to a large extent to drought conditions and lack 

 of soil nutriment. 



In another case a native disease which occurs on pitch pine was 

 found attacking Scotch pine, and an investigation of this matter 

 is now being conducted. 



