Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-14

The white-pfne blister rust Is de-
structive disease of the so-called white
pines, that Is. pines which bear their
needles in bundles of Ave each. 1t Is
caused by a parasitic fungus similar IN
many respects to the fungi that cause
wheat rust and cedar apple rust. Like
those diseases, it requires two distinct
kinds of host plants In order to com
plete it's entire life. These are Cd the
5-needle pine and CD the wild and
cultivated currants and gooseberries
Owners of planted 5-needle pine trees
should watch for indications Of this
serious disease.
The first thing to do If you suspect
YOUR trees have this disease. Is to trace
your trees definitely to the nursery
where they were grown from seed. If
the source OF your pines cannot be de-
termined or IL they prove to nave peen
imported, consider them under sus-
picion until you can have an expert IN
spection made. The Bureau or Plant
Industry, on application embodylng q
statement Of such facts as are known
to the owner or observer, will make
an inspection or secure competent
inspection free Of charge. .
Inform your neighbors. about this
disease Tell them If you think you
see evidences Of blister rust on their
trees, and advise them what to 40
Diseased trees on your netghoor's land
are a source of danger to you. Send
to the Agricultural Department at
washinston, D. c., for Farmers Bull
letin 742, and tell your netghbors to do
the Same.
Look at an times Of the year for
dead trees, dead top, or dead side
branches on the pines. II any arc
found, look for a girdle OF dead,
cracked bark below the dead part.
If trees are attacked while COM
paratively young, that Is. rs years OF
age or less it is extremely likely thai
the entire tree will be killed II the
blister rust attacks it. If the tree Is
older than this when the disease first
take hold of it, branches and possibly
the top central shoot will be killed.
In Europe, where this disease has
been known for sixty years, 1t has at
tackled many varieties Of the b-needle
pines. There are twelve American
6-needle pines and nine foreign ones.
Any Of these species may take this
disease. The foreign species are OF
Importance, as they may be cultivated
In this country, for ornamental pur-
poses. .-. .- t.-. d ..-s.
It is estimated that the valuation of
the present stand Of mature eastern
white pine is approximately $1S6,00o.-
600 In the western forests are two
species OF white pine which may be
attacked by blister rust, namely, sugar
pine and western white pine. me
mature stand Of these two is estimated
to be worth $24o.O0o,0Oo. The reader
can readily see the importance OF
Guarding our pines against this dis
ease. In 1915, serious and extensive
outbreaks occurred in tho eastern
states. As the white pine. In many
sections, at least, is much the most
valuable tree now available for future
forests, its loss would be real
catastrophe. for no other tree can
take it's place.
Every effort should be made to help
in the control of this dreaded disease
and to prevent its becoming q per
manent menace to the white pine IN
tha northeastern and the northwest
ar, and western and southern sectioni
of this country.
The great forests Of tho west are
30 separated from the eastern fores'a
NV the arid Great Plains that ths