DEMONSTRATION WORK.

The demonstration and lecture work has continued in charge of Mr. Keller E. Rockey.

LECTURES.

The subjects of lectures include every matter of interest concerning the chestnut blight. At intervals, parties engaged in other lines of operation of the Commission have lectured on topics relating to the particular work they were doing. The most of the lectures were given under the supervision of the State Farmers’ Institute management. The lecturers were as a rule, supervisors of the territory in which the lecture was given, and were, therefore, fully able to give the audience news of the latest local developments, and much valuable information.

Besides farmers’ institute lectures, addresses were made at several normal schools, before county fruit growers’ associations, at the meeting of the Northern Nut Growers’ Association, and also at various meetings of botanical societies, civic clubs, and in colleges and schools.

CHESTNUT BLIGHT EXHIBITS.

Exhibits of specimens and illustrations showing in various ways the operations of this Commission have been installed in the Carnegie Museum, at Pittsburgh, and in the State Museum, in Harrisburg. An unusually large exhibit has been started for the Commercial Museum, Philadelphia, and it was planned to make an exhibit at the Everhart Museum, at Scranton. An excellent display showing the work of the Commission was made in connection with the State Forestry Exposition, at Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, in May. Much interest was shown in this exhibit by people from all over the State. Many minor exhibits have been made in connection with farmers’ meetings at various places.

DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIMENS.

Several hundred small boxes of specimens of disinfected bark showing the chestnut blight were sent to various addresses all over the State, to be placed on exhibition in high schools and other public places. Photographs accompanied this material to add to its interest and practical value.

FIELD DEMONSTRATION.

Very often in connection with the lectures, particularly at farmers’ institutes, the lecturers demonstrated the actual field work of the Commission in neighboring forest tracts, explaining the nature of the disease, the manner of removal, sanitation, and methods of tree surgery.

View of a chestnut orchard, 25 years old. A spraying experiment is being conducted with these trees.