240 HENRY SCHMITZ 



water under warmer conditions Schellenberg demonstrated that 

 the leaf buds of the brooms open some time previous to the nor- 

 mal in the early winter but that this difference in time gradually 

 diminishes towards the normal time of unfolding of the buds. 



Smith^ and others have shown that the storage regions of the 

 brooms have a higher osmotic pressure than the healthy twigs 

 and that they contain a larger amount of storage food than the 

 normal tissue. It is assumed that this increased amount of food 

 accounts for the stimulated growth in diameter. 



The latter statement agrees with the observations made by 

 the writer. Twigs from the healthy portion of the tree and from 

 the brooms were gathered April 22 (sunny) at 10 a.m. Sections 

 were made from each and treated with Fehling's solution. On 

 slightly heating, both reduced the solution as indicated by the 

 precipitate found in the cells. This microchemical observation 

 was checked by boiling a few shavings from the respective parts 

 and treating with Fehling's solution in the usual manner. The 

 results confirmed the presence of considerable amounts of sugar 

 in both cases. 



In a similar manner cross sections of the normal and diseased 

 twigs were treated with iodine — potassium-iodide. A decided 

 blue black color was found to form in the pith of the sections of 

 the broomed area indicating the presence of considerable amounts 

 of starch. No trace of starch could be found in the twigs of the 

 undiseased parts, even after numerous attempts except in one or 

 two cases were a slight blue coloration indicated the presence of 

 small amounts of starch in the cambium. 



The red coloring matter in the leaves also furnishes interesting 

 material for investigation. Even from a considerable distance 

 the red color of the leaves of the brooms is easily discernible. 

 The contrast is especially noticeable when the tree is in flower. 

 The red leaves of the brooms form a conspicuous contrast against 

 the white flowers of the normal twigs. 



An alcohohc extract was made from the leaves of the brooms. 



'Smith, William G., Untersuchen der Mophologie und Anatomic der durch 

 Exoasceen Verursachten Sprosz und Blatt Deformation. Forstlich-naturwiss. 

 Zeitschrift., Bd. Ill, 1894. 



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