The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-04-05
CHESTNUT BARK DISEASE.

AuSIe mas appeared, curing the past
few years. virulent disease affecting the
chestnut tree and it only--known as the
Chestnut Bark Disease. or as ii is FREE
lquently called, the Chestnut Blight.
The damage caused, has become wide
spread and, in fact, the entire extinction
of the chestnut is threatened. Since the
chestnut is one Of our most important
TIMBER trees, representing a stnmpase
value OF Approximately $4,000, 900, the
iseriousuess of the situation is apparent.
The damage already caused amounts to
about $4,000. aud the disease is rapidly
spreading.
The chestnut bark disease is caused
nv q fungus. which grows in the inner
bark sprea ling from the point of attack.
around the stem until complete girdling
takes place. The lead bark is later
covered with little reddish-yelow pns-s
tules, the size Of pin head or larger,
which are the fvniting bodies of the fun
gus, aud contain the spores that serve to
transmit the disease 10 other parts OF the
same tree, or to other trees. These
spores gain entrance through cracks, or
abrasions of the bark, germinate and send
their thread like filaments through the
bark. breaking down the cell-structure,
causing death and decay
This bark disease apparently started In
the vicinity at New York City, radiating
ont from that point, until now nearly all
the trees in the vicinity of New York
| city have been killed or are affected, and
the disease has spread as far north as
Massachusetts, and as far south as Mary
land. with scattered infection ID Virginia
and West Virginia. It is estimated that
the total loss up to 1911 was over $25.-
100000 An investigation was made last
summer, by the State Forester, 10 deter.
mine the extent Of the disease in Mary
land aud the damage that has heen
caused 1t was found to be generally
distributed over Baltimore and Hartford
COUNTIES. las far south as the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. all Of Cecil county.
and through Kent. Queen Anne and
Caroline connties wherever the chestnut
| is common. AT least three per cent Of
the chestnut trees d the counties named
were either killed or infected ii was
also found scattering in Carroll, Fred
Ierick and Washington counties. as far as
1.-THE western boundary Of the Blue Ridge
I
mountains, aud southwark as far as a.
line drawn through Garfield in Washing
ton county, Mt. Airy Sykesville. Ellicott
City aud Baltimore. In this latter named
area. the only places Of general infection
were 10 the vicinity of Edgemon,, Pen
Mar and Thurmont. Outside of these
particular localities. probably not more
than one per cent. Of the trees have be
come infected with the fungus
| Judging from the manner in which the
disease has spread in the past few years,
as indicated by the age of the infections,
Lit is very probable that If something is
not done 10 check its ravages, there will
scarcely be living chestnut tree in the
eastern and central parts of the State.
ten years hence.
i The plan proposed for the work 10 this
State Is to check its spread. as much as
possible, within the present area of
general infection, by cutting out and
utilizing the diseased trees as far as pos
sible, and to establish quarantine zone
arouud this area of general infection to
prevent It's spread to those parts of the
State that are now practically free from
the pest. Where isolated trees, or small
patches of the disease are found, they are
to be promptly removed to prevent its
spread. The quarantine zone. which will
be from. ten to fifteen miles wide. will he
Iexamined. all diseased trees cut, the bark
destroyed. and then by close vigilance
land temperance of infection will be
promptly eradicated. In this way It is
hoped that further damage may be
greatly reduced and large portion of the
State saved from t ravages of this most
destructive pest.
4 Pennsylvania. realizing the seriousness
of the situation has appropriated SAYS. ooo
for the control and eradication of the
chestnu, Bark Disease. 1t is imperative
that Maryland take active measures al
once for checking the disease. not only
for the protection OF her own timber re.
: sources. but It is duty she owes to neigh
boring states to prevent its further ex.
tension.
q A bill was introduced in the House by
Representative Cummings of Montgom.
lery county on February I4th, authorizing
the State Board of Forestry to take such
measures for the control of the Chestnut
HarE llaease AZ saern 11nel efIicie,al ~