Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-20

sooseberry, and 1t there completes its
life cycle by re-breeding and being
blown back to the tenderer bark of the
white pine.
1t is claimed that the only way to
stop the rust is to remove the currant
and gooseberry bushes, by means OF
the eradication Of the wild currant and
gooseberry bushes in all parts of the
state. The legislature may enact law
compelling each individual to remove
these wild currant and gooseberry
bushes from their own premises or II
may appropriate funds for doing the
work.
Government Experts Report
G. P. Posey, an agent connected with
the bureau of plant industry of the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture, who made a survey of the white
pine blister rust situation in this state,
has submitted the following report of
conditions to William T. Guptill, COM
missioner of agriculture: Scouting
for white pine blister rust in the state
of Maine was begun July 6, 1916, and
continued until August 4, 1916. The
work was taken up again August 40,
1916, and continued until October Is.
1916. During the time spent scouting
in Maine practically the entire white
pine area of the state was visited,
White pines probably occur in all Sec
tons Of Maine.
The area in which white pine growth
is practically unbroken is thought to
be included in the following boundary:
York county. Cumberland county.
southern portion of Oxford county, An
droscoggin county. Sagadahoc county.
Kennebec county. Lincoln county.
southern part Of Penobscot county.
southern Hancock county and south.
western Washington county.
GooseherrieS and currants were
found in all places visited. In farm
ing sections and vicinities of towns and
cities cultivated plants We're found fire.
quently. Several instances were noted
where they were grown commercially,
but usually they were found as few
plants growing in garden or Yards.
Wild plants were found in practically
all localities. They grow alorp
roadsides. stone walls, ravines. in mas.
lures. thick forests, cut over forest
tracts, rocky hills, etc. In tho south :
ern part Of the state especially in YORK;
county. these plants were not found IA
large numbers except in low. swannv
lands. From Cornish north and month .
west cufrants and gooseberries appear
70 grow wild abundantly in practioa,lv
I'll localities and under very variable
conultlons AS regarding contour and hu-
nidity. In many places thew were
Iound to cover the entire ground s,r-
face. eiooiiu sur
The area In which gooseberrios .nd
suii''hts nave been found infected witt,
n-:.. pine blister rust extends from
l'eery Point north to Rangeley. from
enere northwest to Millnocket. and
rom Mlllinocket south to Rar Harhor
Many thousand plants are examined
turing the course Of the time snent
scouting in Maine. A larger n,nohor
were found apparently free Of tbe d;s-
ease tnan were found to he ;nfaotaa
me Wlid plants are often found crow
,ns III tnlck mats over the forest aoor
III some cases they all appeared "a he
l"Aected. While in other cases. bay;n.
practically identical environmenta,
condltions, only a very small per Govt
.! tnem would show the disease A
single infected plant has often hoo1
iound in the center of thick pro,yths
VI pants which did not show the dc
ease Healthy plants are often ro,,na
III moist shaded places while tho plants
~ 'he same specie growing in nas-
su.e' neid or dry roadside would he
neaVliy infected. The reverse of the
s'aeement is also found to be true
;, olEce plants growing under NAV,
ulnerent sets Of field conditions hava
apparently shown that the attacks ~
lne disease do not follow exclusiva,S
any an. set OF conditions. it appears to me-
go 10. me climate in Maine is favorab
most anywhere for the DEVELOPMENT ~
rants. ana cur
injected pines were found A. "a,
40 ,,' Lewiston, Bath, Riverton
i naih ana kittery Many Of tho ;nfoo-
elons We're on young trees soma 80
N"icn mad already been killed otho,.
"sre dylng from the disease ,,,h;,o
I p. were only attacked on sno.,,
oIaiiches. At Riverton park and ~.
.e.y many large trees showed tho Az
c.. vi lateral and terminal branches
ouihe OF these branches were iust daoa
timers mad been dead for Soma ,;r,a
WINE others were burning YELLOW ~
'he ends Noliage)." a.