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DISEASES OF TAXODIUM AND LIBOCEDRUS. 25 
Some years ago, while collecting in the cypress swamps 
of Arkansas, a peculiar defect of the bald cypress, Taxodium 
distichum, was noticed, popularly known as ‘‘ pecky”’ or 
‘‘peggy’’ cypress. Further investigation showed that the 
defect was prevalent wherever the cypress grew in abun- 
dance, and that fungus threads were constantly associated 
with the pecky wood. This led to the investigations here 
recorded. 
In pursuing these investigations little could have been 
done without the generous assistance of numerous lumber 
companies. Among those to whom thanks are due are the 
Lutcher & Moore Cypress Lumber Co. of Lutcher, La. ; 
Mr. M. E. Leming of Cape Girardeau, Mo. ; Towle Bros. of 
Towle, Placer Co., Cal.; the Stimson Mill Co. of Ballard, 
Wash.; Mr. A. J. Johnson of Astoria, Oregon, and Birce 
& Smart of Emigrant Gap, Cal. 
To Dr. W. G. Farlow and Dr. H. W. Harkness I am 
indebted for many suggestions; to Dr. J. J. Frith of 
Ziirich, for his courtesy in answering some questions; to 
Maj. B. M. Harrod of New Orleans for assistance in 
obtaining buried cypress logs, and to Prof. C. R. Sanger 
and Dr. G. Alleman for suggestions on chemical questions. 
I also take pleasure in expressing thanks to Dr. Wm. 
Trelease for much encouragement and generous assistance. 
> 
THE DISEASE OF TAXODIUM KNOWN AS ‘‘ PECKY’”’ CYPRESS. 
HISTORICAL. 
The first mention of the disease of cypress known as 
‘¢pecky,’’ or ‘‘ peggy’’ cypress, is made by Dickeson & 
Brown.* They say of it: ‘‘ That species of decay to which 
it [the cypress] is most liable, shows itself in partial or de- 
tached spots at greater or less distance, but often in very 
close proximity to each other. It is adecomposition of the 
* Dickeson, Montroville W., & And. Brown. On the cypress timber of 
Mississippi and Louisiana. (Am. Journ. of Science. ii.5:15. 1848.) 
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