50 



Thoy (x-cuiit'd chieHy in the .summer wood, and were lilled with a red- 

 brown powder. There is no Avhite lining as in the wood attaeked by 

 Trametes jy'mL Black spots appear here and there in the wood, and 

 when they disappear the holes take their place. The holes increase in 

 size and number, and in the last stages of decomposition the wood has 

 become a shredded mass of yellow-brown fibers, which feel much like 

 straw. It is completely honeycombed in ever}" direction. The annual 

 rings of wood separate from one another, forming thin plates per- 

 forated by thousands of small holes. The transformation of this 

 fibrous material takes place from the root up into the trunk for from 3 

 to 20 feet (1 to 6 meters). In some trees the innermost rings of wood 

 are afi'ected. As the wood becomes more and more rotted a hole is 

 formed wdiich gradually increases in diameter, eventually sometimes 

 becoming so large that the weakened trunk is blown over by the wind. 

 On other trees one or the other side of the trunk may be affected. 

 Two or more separate holes may be formed which join near the base 

 of the tree. 



A more lengthy description of the changes in the wood just described 

 is not deemed necessary, in view of the fact that the active agent which 

 brings about the changes is as yet not fully determined. If it proves 

 to be P(Ayp(>rui< nnno^im Fr. it would seem that the injuiy done in the 

 Eastern forests by this fungus is not A'ery large, which may be con- 

 sidered a fortunate circumstance, as this fungus is one naturally to be 

 dreaded h\ the forester, as it is combated only with the greatest diffi- 

 culty and expense. 



AGARICUS MELLEUS VAHL. 



Many trees were fovuid in which the well-known rhizomorph strands 

 of this fungus grew under the bark. The summer of 1899 was exceed- 

 ingly dry. and on that account the development of Agaricinese of all 

 kinds was a very meager one. On the various excursions made through 

 the Maine forests but one tree was found on which the yellow fruiting 

 organ of this fungus w\as developing. The manner in which this fun- 

 gus grows on the roots of the trees and brings about their death has 

 been so fully described b}" Hartig and others that it seems hardly 

 necessary to describe it here. The fungus grows within the living 

 roots and cambium of a tree and speedily brings about a disturbance 

 in its absorbing organs which results in ultimate death. The wood is 

 rarely if ever affected to any extent, so that lumbermen use the dis- 

 eased trees for lumbering purposes, making no distinction between 

 them and live trees as long as the wood is entirelj^ sound. Diseased 

 trees should be cut at once when recognized. 



