Evening star., 1931-06-21
Americas Elm Trees Threatened
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

The most insidious invader OF the
| United Stats Is the type of disease
which attacks trees and plants. Com
ing with greater stealth and secrecy
than a thief in the night, these dis
eases remain to cause incalculable dam.
age. A new invader now Is perplexine
the Department Of Agriculture and fearI
are entertained that loss of some Oi
the most beautiful trees In the coun-
try, including many Of great historic In
terest, may result.
The Dutch elm disease is the --latest
| tree ailment to be discovered by the
Government watchers and the fact that
presence of the attacker has been dis.
covered SO early is proof OF the vigi-
lance which previous disasters have
/ stimulated.
The elm Is counted by many the most
/ beautiful OF American ornamental tyeeS
Many streets of the National CAPITAL are
lined with these unusually graceful
| trees, having contributed q substantial
share to Washington's wide reputation
for magnificence. New England villages
rated as the ideal of American town
beauty, are famous for their elms. The
elm has long been regarded with such
admiration that it has been selected.
probably more often than any other
species, Tor memorial Use. Many elms
have been planted by famous men and
others have been planted as memorials.
The White House grounds include many
elms, one planted by the. MARQUIS de
Lafayette having long been an attrac-
ton to visitors. .
Previous experience with tree dis
ease causes the Department OF ADricui-
| ture to realize the danger existing that
this most beautiful OF trees, including
the specially historic ones, may be swept
away IN the path of destructive disease.
Dutcn elm disease seems to have orig
mated IN Holland, but now has spread
, over large part Of Europe, DESTROYING
thousands Of specimens. The disease
mas been studied with great attention
by European scientists, but there still
is doubt as to its causes and, particu-
larly, how 1t is spread. Opinion In
clinss to the belief that the disease is
spread by beetles, but this has not been
established as fact.
Disease Appears i'm Ohio.
Appearance of Dutch elm disease in
Ohio recently has intensified the mys-
terry OF the spread because there is no
record OF any elms being imported into
OHIO since the disease made its appear
ance In Europe. Federal laws establish
str1ct quarantines against plants likely
TO carry disease Of any sort.
ruIIner mystery Is provided In the
fact that the discovery in Ohio so far
has been limited to but four trees and
those widely separated. Three infected
trees were discovered In Cleveland and
one in Cincinnati. These cities are
about as widely separated as any two
cities in the State.
In view Of the fact that there have
been no importations into Ohio at all
and that these cases are so far apart,
not even o theory as to the cause of
the occurrence has been advanced.
The discovery has greatly alarmed the
authorities and the department is ask
ing every citizen to assist in the task
of checking the disease. The authorities
desire that every case be reported. The
symptoms are whiting twigs and brown
stains on the sapwood. Woodsmen,
botanistS, picnickers, hunters, boys-aIl
persons having occasion TO observe
trees whether in the forest or planted on
lawns or alcng streets-are asked to
gather a few sample tw:gs from trees
they suspect Of being inSccted and send
them to the Dutch Elm Disease Lab
oratory, Ohio Agricultural Experiment
Station. Wooster, Ohio.