Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-08-05
County Inspection.

County Inspection. =
| In accordance with the State Crop Pest
Law passed by the last Legislature Mr.. Per-
cy G. Mznley has been appointed inspector
of orchards and other premises in Jefferson
county.
As general rule the fruit grow ers of this
sccti are well informed concerning the
San Jose ectle, peach yellows and black
kuot snd t6cir orchards are kept ressousbly
free from these troubles; however. there ere
still many places In the county where the
general farmers and owners of city and vii
lage lots have comparatively few fruit trees
which may he aud often are breeding places
| for dangerously injurious insects and PLAN
diseases. All such places should be visited
by the inspector, the premises carefully ex
amined and if dangerous insects aud diseases
are found arrangements made with the own
ers to have the Infested trees treated or de-
stroyed. Any person knowing of neglect
ed orchard that is breeding trouble for the
neighborhood should report the fact to ths
local inspector who will, as soon as possible
take up the matter with the owner anu have
the public nuisance removed.
The paramou 1t question, which at present
confronts the people of the eastern panhan-
die is the best method of preventing damage
to apple orchards by cedar rust. Spraying
for this tronble has not proven satisfactory
means of control. and owing to the great
importance that apple growing has assumed
in West Virginia. heroic efforts should be
made to stamp out this menace TO the future
apple industry of the state. II has been prov
en- beyond doubt that the common red
cedar is responsible for the rust of the apple.
1t is al. an established fact that this disease
has two host plants; namely the red cedar
and the apple. On the former the trouble is
called cedar apples or balls" and on the
latter it takes the name of rust, or cedar
rust"
In the spring of 1871 the writer was sent to
Berkeley and Jefferson counties by the Ex-
pertinent Station to explain TO the fl nit
growers the seriousness of the presence of
the San Jose scale in their orchards, to teach
them how to recognize it, and to explain the
best known methods of control Twelve
years later the State Crop Pest Commi- sion
has sent men into the same territory the
principle object of which is to enligheu the
people concerning the cedar rust and how
to mitigate its destructive effect upon apple
orcharda. 1t is earnestly hoped that this
new work will receive as hearty cooperation
from the people as did tie fight against the
San Jose scale.
In passing we must not overlook the fact
that another plant disease isthreatening he
resources of West Virginia-the chestnut
blight. This trouble has already been locat
ed by govern ment experts ct several points
IN the eastern panhandle The chestnut
bark disease has killed the chestnut timber
in the greater part of New York state, in
New jersey, Delaware, eastern Pennsylva
mia and Maryland. and northern Virginia.
Besides this, scattered infect ions have been
10 ated as far out as southern New HAmp
shire. western Pennsylvania. aad the north
EN- portion of North Carolina.
chestnut bark disease the Crop Pest Com
mission and the Commissioner of Agricul
ture have 9TH set aside limited amount of
their appropriation for combating this trou.
bic. These funds have been placed in the
hands of Mr.. A. b. Brooks, Forester in
charge of the chestnut blight work in West
Virginia Hearty cooperation on the part
OF owners Of chestnut timber must be Sc
cured if this fast->p -eading disease is to be
wiped out or even checked. Any suspected
cases observed should be reported without
delay to the county Inspector, WAC will in
turn inform those who have charge cf lis
eradication
Whenever you desire to communicate
with the county inspector address him at
the county sc It. rs this will be his heaG-
quarters. w. K. RUMsEY,
July 80, 10 8. State Entomologist.
The thirty-S XIII annual Temperance
and gospel meeting of the Prohibition
aud Evangelical Association If Loudoun
county. Va wal be held at Purcelville
August 5 to 10. inclusive.