PEACH YELLOWS AND PEACH ROSETTE. 197 



worse affected than No. 2, but also not likely to attract casual attention, 

 36; (4) bad cases which no one could overlook, 6. Some of these growths 

 were as much as six inches from the nearest inserted bud. In thirty-nine 

 of these trees the inserted buds did not grow, or grew only slightly, the 

 bark which was inserted with them being yet alive. In twenty-seven, one 

 or both of the buds had grown into diseased shoots. All but one of the six 

 bad cases fell into the second category. The character of these growths 

 was much like yellows, except that the shoot-axes were greatly reduced, 

 making them much more tufted. The winter buds pushed in the same 

 way — prematurely . 



The remainder of this nursery was used for comparison, but a careful 

 examination of many trees brought to light no traces of this disease. The 

 orchards on the same farm might also have served for control. This dis- 

 ease occurs throughout the surrounding country, but is not what might be 

 called epidemic. The farm contains about 100 acres of peach orchard of 

 various ages. The disease first appeared on it in 1887, and the number of 

 cases each year has been as follows: 1887, 2; 1888, 5; 1889, 13; 1890, 31; 

 1891, 47. This year, in which more cases developed than any previous 

 year, they numbered only about one third of 1 per cent. In the nearest 

 orchards on other farms the per cent, of loss has also been slight. 



This experiment attracted some local attention, and the trees which 

 furnished the photographs were shown to many persons at a meeting of 

 the Middle Georgia Horticultural society, November 6, 1890. 



The rapid progress of the disease was surprising. Over one half of the 

 stocks became affected in less than five months, whereas results were not 

 expected until 1891, if at all. 



These trees were re-examined June 3-6, 1891, at the urgent request of 

 Mr. Husted, who desired to get rid of them. The results surprised and 

 delighted me beyond expectation. The diseased trees were distinguisha- 

 ble at a great distance, and at first glance it looked as though every part 

 of every tree was affected. The actual conditions were as follows: 



(1) Four trees were entirely free from disease and had made an excellent growth, 

 their average height being about four feet. 



(2) Two trees were badly diseased, but a few small branches had developed normal, 

 or nearly normal, leaves and shoot-axes, while a few others bore sickly yellowish leaves 

 and no rosettes. These trees were dwarfed, and at least nineteen twentieths of the 

 branches bore yellowish green rosettes. 



(3) The remaining trees, 113 in number, were diseased in all parts, exactly as had 

 been the trees from which the buds were taken. The leaves and shoot- axes were 

 stunted, yellowish green, and bunched into striking rosettes. Out of this large num- 

 ber of trees there was not one which bore a single healthy leaf or a normally-developed 

 shoot-axis. Every part of each tree was completely diseased. The greater number 

 were still alive in all parts, but a few were withering and a few were already dead. 

 Almost all of the winter buds developed into rosettes in spring, and in some cases these 

 appeared also on the stems above and below the location of the inserted buds. 



A more satisfactory outcome could scarcely be desired for any experi- 

 ment whatsoever. 



Each tree was carefully examined, and notes were made on the condition 

 of each inserted bud. These observations were also verified, at my request, 

 by Mr. W. T. Swingle of the Division of Vegetable Pathology, so as to 

 leave no doubt whatever concerning their value. 



In the four trees which remained healthy the inserted buds failed to 

 unite with the stocks and were thrown off, the bark of the stock having 

 healed over under them. The only uncertainty was concerning a small 

 fragment of the bark of one bud, and the evidence of union in this case 



