68 J. SAUNDERS — witches' BKOOMS. 



three or four years, and in the succeeding notes the parasitic 

 agent, when known, is also given : Behda verrucosa and B. jnthescens 

 (Birch), frequent ; Cmyinus Betuhts (Hornbeam), frequent ; 

 Primus Cerasus (Cherry), frequent ; P. Avium (Wild Cherry), 

 frequent; TJJmus campestris (Common Elm), rare; TJ. montana 

 (Wych Elm), rare; Corylus Avellana (Hazel), occasionally; 

 Cratmjus monogytiia (Hawthorn), rare ; Samhucits nigra (Elder), 

 very rare ; Ahies excelsa (Spruce Eir), Luton Hoo and Caddington, 

 rare. 



In addition to these the Silver Fir (Abies peciinata) has been 

 shown to the wi'iter by Mr. W. H. Burrell in North Norfolk, 

 where it is not infrequent. 



From the foregoing lists it may be inferred either that this 

 district is rich in these productions or that they may have been 

 more closely observed than is usual in so limited an area. It is 

 moreover evident that there is room for original investigation in 

 this department of natural science. 



Wild Cherry {Prunus Avium, L.). — In May, 1904, on the 

 south-west side of Rothampstead Park, Herts, Witches' Brooms 

 were observed on vsdld cherry. The grove contains many of those 

 trees, most of which were infested with these growths in a greater 

 or less degree. In two instances nearly every branch was 

 affected, and large portions of the trees were either decaying or 

 dead. The leaves on the diseased parts were crumpled and 

 coloured various shades of crimson. The groups of asci were 

 visible with a lens on the under-side of the aifected leaves, and 

 the spores were easily distinguished with the necessary magnifying 

 powers. The fungus is Exoascus (Taphrina) Cerasi, Sadeb. 



Early in November, 1904, Mr. Arthur Staddon called my 

 attention to the presence of a large broom on a tree in the Green 

 Lane leading from Pepperstock to Mar ky ate (Herts), about a mile 

 from the latter place. On visiting the spot a few days later it 

 was seen that the tree stands alone, and forms a conspicuous 

 object (PL IV). It is of a considerable age, and at least one-half 

 of it is affected. The diseased portion rises erect and overtops the 

 normal branches some six or seven feet. The impression pro- 

 duced at first sight is that a tree of another genus has been 

 grafted on the cherry. The healthy part showed many fruiting 

 buds, but these were absent from the diseased portion. 



Mr. Massee, in his ' Text-book of Plant Diseases,' says on 

 p. 89 : "This disease [Witches' Brooms of cherry], which is not 

 uncommon on the Continent, is rare in Britain." 



In May, 1905, the wild cherry trees (P. Avium) in the wood 

 on Zouches Farm (Herts) were examined, when it was found 

 that six of them were more or less infected with Witches' 

 Brooms. The trees differed considerably in age, from quite 

 juveniles to those which had attained full stature, and the extent 

 of the disease varied greatly. As the examination was at the 

 time of flowering, the brooms showed in sharp contrast to the 

 healthy portions of the trees. The latter were crowded with 



