In connection with the vast amount of active labor performed in field
work, pathological research work, chemical and insect investigations,
etc., in the effort to control the chestnut tree blight, the press of
Pennsylvania proved a most valuable ally in constantly acquainting
timber owners and the public in general with the symptoms and
characteristics of this comparatively new, but extremely destructive
tree pest.
The native chestnut tree is properly regarded as the best forest
tree remaining in a large quantity in Pennsylvania. The presence of
the deadly chestnut tree bark disease throughout eastern and central
Pennsylvania counties, and the actual and immediate necessity for a
concerted and active warfare against this parasitic disease in order to
prevent the threatened total extermination of the chestnut tree in the
Keystone State, naturally awakened the editorial fraternity and other
advocates of forest conservation to the great importance of aiding in
the fight to control and eradicate the disease.
It is admitted by scientific authorities that had the necessary work
towards stamping out the blight been inaugurated by other states
at the proper period, Pennsylvania’s extraordinarily heavy loss
could have been confined to a minimum. It is believed however, that
the Commonwealth has already sustained a loss through the partial
destruction of chestnut, aggregating a total of $70,000,000, of
which enormous amount Eastern Pennsylvania timber owners suffered
the heaviest burden. The proverbial “ounce of prevention” was sadly
ignored, and hence, the deplorable conditions that rapidly followed
this costly neglect of duty. Although the Keystone State has ceased
its activities in its efforts to save this invaluable species of trees
from destruction, the National Department of Agriculture and a dozen
other states are continuing the work with renewed energy, confidently
believing that the interests of timber owners and the public in general
deserved such recognition and protection. Many taxpayers who were
compelled to wage warfare against the spread of the blight at their
personal expense report gratifying results, thus again demonstrating
that by prompt action and thorough work, the parasite might have been
controlled and these extraordinary heavy financial losses averted.
Oliver D. Schock, Assistant Superintendent, was in charge of this
important publicity department. Grateful acknowledgments are due to
the newspaper editors for their continued and liberal co-operation.
It is equally gratifying to know that there was but little, if any
unfavorable criticism by the press of the entire State of the methods
pursued by the Commission in combating the blight.
Report of
Samuel B. Detwiler
General Superintendent Pennsylvania Chestnut
Tree Blight Commission
[Illustration]
OBSERVATIONS ON SANITATION CUTTING IN CONTROLLING THE CHESTNUT BLIGHT
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
By SAMUEL B. DETWILER,
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CHESTNUT TREE BLIGHT
COMMISSION.