Any white pines, currants or gooseberries within the State which are found to be infected with white pine blister rust are hereby declared a public nuisance, and any such diseased plants, and any and all wild plants of the genera Ribes and Grossularia, may be destroyed forthwith by order of the Department of Forests and Waters through its agents. Any currants, gooseberries or white pines not infected with white pine blister rust may be destroyed by the Department of Forests and Waters, through its agents, where necessary in carrying out the purposes of this act.¹