CO-OPERATION OF THE PRESS.
Reading edition
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
