256 



generally of the citizens of tlie city. On a field trip in November, 1899, 

 we noticed the extraordinary altundance and grreat size of the galls that 

 infested the cedars in yards and jiasturcs. In commenting npon this 

 Prof. Thomas said that never before had he seen them in such numbers 

 and of such large size, some of them being at that time as large as wal- 

 nuts. The infection was very general. Every cedar from the small seedling 

 to the tall tree was fairly loaded on every twig and branch with the choco- 

 late-brown galls. Just Avhat caused this unusual abundance is not so easily 

 discovered, but perhaps the following record of the we.ather for July and 

 August and the first days of September, 1<S99, may throw some light on 

 the matter. From oliservations made the following year it was found that 

 the aecidiospoi'es began to ripen about Jtily 26. Beginning, then, with 

 July 28. we have the following: 



July 28, 1899 Rain 



August 2, 1899 Rain 



August 5, 1899 Rain 



August 8, 189!> Rain 



August 2.5, 1899 Rain 



September 0. 1 899 Rain 



Six heavy rains, followed liy intervals of from three to sixteen days of 

 warm, fair weather, as shown liy the weather reports kept in the city, 

 the very best conditions for the distribution and germination of the 

 aecidiospores on the cedar. What other factors may have entered into 

 this general infection we are unal)le to say. 



The conditions the following spring (1900) bore out fully tlie promises 

 of the previous fall. The warm rains of the latter part (tf April and 

 througliout May brought forth the yellow gelatinous masses of teleuto- 

 spores in abundance. So numerous and large were the galls that the liml s 

 of the trees bent beneath the burden and the large yellow masses could be 

 seen for long distances. The warm sun of the days folloAving the rain 

 dried up the gelatinous masses, causing the teleutospores to germinate and 

 produce countless numbers of sporidia. which were caiTied far and near 

 to the apple trees of the city and stu-rounding country. How perfect the 

 weather conditions of that .spring were for the dissemination of this 

 fungus, the following record will show: 



