The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-05-08
TO ERADICATE CHESTNUT
BLIGHT
Effort Being Made by state TO Check
Disease Now Destroying Millions
of Dollars Worth of Timber in
Pennsylvania.

pennsylvania.
The chestnut tree blight, which is
fast decreasing this section OF the
country of its best and most promis-
ing timber, has reached Wayne coun-
ty. Realizing what a loss it will be-
come and what already il is to the
State, Pennsylvania has appropriated
$275,0OO to fight what now appears
to be an incurable disease. The
Blight commission, whose head
quarters are in Philadelphia, has
corps of instructors on the road GO
ing from place to place telling of the
devastation of the blight and giving
advice how to check it from spread
ing over a greater territory. Homes
dale was visited on Friday and Sat
urday last by X +. Rockey, of Phil
adelphia. Mr.. Rockey gave an in
structive illustrated lecture on the
determination of the blight last Fri
day evening at the High school au-
ditorium. The speaker said in part:
This disease was first discovered
in New York state in 1904. 1t was
never seen before and was unknown
to scientists and at first it was
thought a foreign production. 1t is,
however, parasite rather than
saprophyte. 1t spread from the
Bronx, up the Hudson in New York
state, to Pennsylvania, showing it
self in Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike
and Luzerne counties; through Will
Transport to Bedford. 1t has also
done great damage in Delaware and
Maryland, The disease is working
westward and the infection is found
in nearly all parts of this county, the
percenetage, however, is not very
large here. The last legislature of
Pennsylvania appropriated S275, 900
to be used in the fight of the dis
ease. The value of chestnut timber
in this state is 100000, 200. 1t is
hoped that the efforts of the COM
mission to prevent the spread of the
blight beyond the aera now affected
may materialize in stamping it out.
Property owners are urged to be-
come familiar with the symptoms and
work of the chestnut blight and keep
themselves posted on the subject.
They are asked to cut down infected
trees for two reasons. First, it is
their duty; and secondly to prevent
the spread of the disease. The in
fected trees, if the diseased lt.nbs are
not cut out, die and lumber rapidly
deteriorates. This way one can util-
ize the infected trees and limit the
spread of the disease to surround
ing healthy chestnut. Every tree
that is infected should be cut down
and the infected portions burned.
The method of determining and the
treatment of the disease is described
in the several publications issued by
the Chestnut Blight Commission,
1112 Morris building, Philadelphia.
1t is hoped by the cooperation of
the land owners and Boy Scouts in
hot lI srrl,+ 10,
eradicated. The Blight commission
has 100 scout masters and several
troops in the state endeayoring to
stamp out the disease.
Scout Master Edward G. Jenkins
of Honesdale troop of Boy Scouts,
has been appointed as an unsalaried
field agent of the Blight Commission.
He was the first agent of the kind
TO be appointed in the State of Penn
sylvania. Scout Master Jenkins will
be glad to give any advice on the
subject. The scouts have become
familiar with the disease and will do
what they can to aid in the success
full campaign.
The disease is carried by birds
insects, leaves and dust.
On Saturday Mr.. Rockey accom-
panied Scout Master jenkins and the
lOCdl lIOOp VI DOy SCOulS 10 lTNluS
Cliff where a field inspection was
made. After eXaming several trees
Mr.. Rockey found that more trees
were fire-killed than We're suffering
from the blight. He is confident that
the work of exterminating the blight
will be successful in Wayne county,
owing to the chestnut trees being
more scattered than they are in most
sections.
After the troop arrived on Irving 5
brow two flags were erected on the
crown of the cliff, which floated until
the camp broke in the afternoon.
The scouts thoroughly enjoyed them
selves. Dinner was prepared in reg
ular scout fashion. Potatoes were
roasted in a fire which also broiled
fine cuts of steak. 1t was the writ
er's privilege to dine with the boys
and to say that we had an excellent
time is putting it in a mild way
If you want to have a good time
take a trip with the scouts. You will
not only have good social time, but
the outing will be of an educational
value to you.
Instructor Rockey speaks in words
of highest praise concerning Scout
Master jenkins. He said he never
met a more energetic scout master
and that the boys are to be con,
graduated in having a leader OF the
calibre of Mr.. Jenkins.
Mr. Rockey left Honesdale Satur.
day afternoon for New York City
From thence he went to Milford
Pike county, where for a week he
will instruct foresters on the Clifford
Pinchot tract how to exterminate the
blight and care for the trees. Mr.
lgs. Ng F.s1 a
during his visit in Honesdale who
hope to see him again.
SPORTING NOTES.
"A few of the base ball team go