Pi Aci^D ON A Nation-widk Basis 191 



cells contained granules which had the appearance of bacteria. 

 Owing to their size, these could be mistaken for such, "but," 

 wrote he, " they are not grouped in such a way as to make me 

 think they are. Moreover, I have never seen any breaking down 

 of cell walls or other tissues such as we might expect from their 

 presence." Full strength of Hueppc's haematoxylin formula dis- 

 closed: " No mycelial threads. Some clusters of granules scattered 

 about deep stained and resembling bacilli held together by some 

 intermediate substance. A very few of the cells show similar 

 bodies in place, but nothing distinct." Serial sections cut from pit 

 to skin of a premature peach were last studied. But on the final 

 day, March 17, Smith wrote, "Examined for bacteria. No trace. 

 Protoplasm especially of the nucleus is very granular — granules 

 are like bacteria, but are not." 

 Galloway reported that year: 



Two suspected organisms have been isolated from the diseased tissues 

 grown on and in various nutrient media, and studied as carefully as time 

 permitted. Both are short rods {Bacilli) . Both were found in nearly 

 every diseased tree, but they appeared so rarely that grave doub'.s have 

 arisen as to their disease-producing nature. If the disease is due to a 

 microorganism it must be rather abundant, judging from the results of 

 bud inoculations. To complicate matters, three yeasts were also isolated 

 under conditions which render it almost certain that they came only from 

 the inner bark. These also were rare. At that time no peach trees 

 suitable for inoculation were at hand. These have since been £>rown from 

 seed procured in three localities free from this disease, and are now 

 ready tor inoculation.^^ 



Necessary field work, Galloway further said, interrupted the 

 progress of research in peach yellows. Smith, however, had 

 found time to consult some authorities with a view to perfecting 

 his technical proficiency, once his indoor laboratory researches 

 were resumed. Up to this time, he could not have had much 

 experiential knowledge of culture media and their preparation. 

 In a small note book, containing entries of both the years 1889 and 

 1890, appears a reference to "Culture Media. 1% agar agar or 

 10%. gelatin. Boil disc. 3-2-3 minutes each. lOO^C." References 

 to paraffin in turpentine, to anilin stains, to sticking slides on 

 covers, to oil of cloves, to useful formulae for methyl blue stain 

 and its preparation, to methyl violet stain and its utilization with 



^* Report of the Chief of the Division of Vegetable Pathology, Report of the 

 Secretary of Agriculture for 1890, op. cit., 393-408, at p. 404. 



