234 Early Studies in Bacterial Plant Diseases 



I have run across an important disease of the almond and another of the 

 soft shelled walnut, and as time permits I hope to work them both up for 

 our ]ourj2al.^ ... I have already obtained the right to treat the affected 

 almond trees. They are losing their leaves now in midsummer from the 

 effects of the fungus. The black knot of the soft shelled walnut is now 

 becoming a serious matter, and I intend to start cultures in tubes at once 

 and see if the trouble be due to any fungus growth — for it certainly looks 

 much as if it were caused in that way. . . . 



If the raisin grape is again grown with success, the country will be 

 made. . . . 



Pierce's main address was still Los Angeles. He had not yet 

 located his laboratory at Santa Ana. Department officials were 

 experiencing such difficulty in supplying funds for his work that 

 for a while at least vouchers for his accounts were transferred to 

 the Botanical Division. On August 24, 1891, however, he in- 

 formed Galloway, 



I have again located permanently at Santa Ana. I have looked over the 

 field with care and consider this best. Good quarters have been obtained 

 and I am fitting up a laboratory for immediate and future use. Bacteri- 

 ological supplies must come from the East I find, and I may order them at 

 Santa Ana as well as at Los Angeles. . . . [T]he former place is better 

 situated on account of the young vineyards and the field work. 



Faces in the valley have shortened considerably since my last sojourn 

 here — even a smile may now and then be noticed. The healthful appear- 

 ance of young vines is the cause. 



Residents of Orange sought to have him locate his laboratory 

 there. But he chose Santa Ana and by August 27 was ordering 

 peptone, agar agar, and gelatin, as well as test tubes, glass rods, 

 and other supplies. By October 11, he reported to Galloway that 

 he had occupied himself " mostly of late with culture work and a 

 disease of the almond [Cercospora circumscissa Sacc.) very injur- 

 ious to foliage in this region. The germination and morphology 

 of this form are of interest and its effects of importance to be 

 considered. The work has been largely laboratory work. . . ." 



Pierce was pleased at the progress being made at Washington. 

 He learned that the Division of Vegetable Pathology was now 

 quartered in " rooms formerly occupied by the B[ureau of} 

 A[nimal} Industry. That must be much pleasanter for you in 



^ Jour. Mycology 7(2): 66-76, March 10, 1892; 7(3) : 232-239, May 15, 1893 

 (concerning the almond disease and remedies therefor). 



