Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-20
of copper sulphate, corrosive sublimate
or some other disinfectant

or some other disinfectant
This theory is violently opposed by DR..
w. A. Murrill of the New York Botanical
Gardens. who made the first investigation
of the disease and gave it the name by
which it Is known to scientists-diaporthe
parasitica. DR.. Murrill is more pessi-
mistic in his views and claims that the
method of searching for individual trees
Is like looking for a needle in a haystack
and will not serve its purpose He is
supported by a number Of other well
known Psychologists who claim that there
is SO Tar no known means of curing the
plague. These men advocate further in
vestigations and hope for some results
from the thorough scientific methods be-
ing now employed in PENNSYLVANIA. but
insist that the cutting out of individual
inIec.ed trees can give no permanent
benefit. and even claim that there are
large numbers of infected trees in the
vicinity of Washington, despite the asser-
ton of the Department of agriculture ex-
perts.
There is no doubt, however, that. at
least until some other methods have been
suggested. the majority of people inter-
ested In chestnut culture will attempt the
work OF eradication suggested by the De-
partment of Agriculture, and many diff
ferent organizations are planning to COM
bine chestnut canker hunting with their
vacation pleasures this summer In many
towns forestry officers are delivering
courses of illustrated lectures that it is
| pSiiCSCu VIII cIdUie tile amateur TO re-
pert more or less truthfully upon infected
trees. 1t is claimed that if forest lovers
in their walks would be on the lookout for
trees which show signs of the canker and
report them to the forestry officer of the
community. much could be done to check
the ravagcs of the plague, even if its
complete eradication is as yet impossi-
BILE.
One of the organizations which is en-
Enthusiastically taking UP the war against
the chestnut canker is
Boy Scouts the Boy Scouts Of Amer
a. uork lea. Over 10000 scouts
in Pennsylvania are now
pledged to aid in the fight against the
the disease in that state. 1t appeals to
them especially, because of their love for
chestnut hunting, and their loyalty to
t. at sport, aside from other considera-
tons, makes them anxious to save the
trees from their threatening destruction.
The national headquarters of the Boy
Scouts is furnishing them with illustrated
literature on the matter, and in their
walks and marches they will keep
sharp eye for any blishted tree.
Scouting for chestnut canker can best
be done from April to October, as after
are almost obscure. excepting upon trees
on which the disease has reached an ad-.
yanced stage Many of the advance in
fections can be destroyed by the person
who discovers them, especially if they
are remote from other Infections but
the greater part of the work of elinina-
ton had best be carried on by persons
specially qualified. The work Of elimina-
ton should be done as soon as possible
after the diseased trees are located. 1t
may be done, however. at whatever time
Of the year is most convenient, since new
infections will be detected by scouting
the following year. The marked tree
should be cut down. So far as is now
known. there is no reason why the tim
Der of such tree may not be utilized,
provided ii is barked. The bark and
brush should be piled over the stumDs
and burned as soon as possible. II 1t is
not possible to have the stumps burned
they should be barsed to the ground. but
in any case the bark and brush Of all in
fected trees must be burned.
Where valuable ornamental or shade
chestnut trees become infected in one or
more spots the life and
Cutting Out usefulness of such trees
r.e.,4;.. can be prolonged for sew
eral years by cutting out
the infections This is' important work,
however. and requires a maximum of
! or rope may be used. but not tree climb
| ers: since these cut into the bark and
| cause wounds which are favorable places
for infection. The tools required for the
work are a gouge, a mallet, pruning