19G 



AGRICULTUKAL REPORT. 



ceivers they were examined minutely with a low ])ower, l3ut no signs of 

 fungi were visible. On the loth day the unhealthy specimens in.Nos. 1 

 and" 5 exhibited on their external surface a spotted appearance. When 

 viewed by a power of 75 diameters they were seen to consist mostly of a 

 translucent, yellowish-brown, spiral, thread-like fungus, genus Nwma- 

 ft])ora. 



hi Fig. 31, 1, 2, 3, and 4, represent the spiral stages of this fungus. 

 When a portion about .03 of an inch is placed under an object-glass 

 of one inch, and secured in the usual manner by means of a disc, with 

 dilute gum-water, the spiral forms are seen to dissolve gradually, and 

 ultimately to form a yellow stain. On viewing it with a power of one- 

 eighth, it appears to be a mass of curved spores, resembling in form car- 

 away seeds, but invisible to the naked eye. Each spore has a life-like mo- 

 tion confined to a center of its own. When they are treated to the action 

 of Jiitric, muriatic, and nitro-muriatic acids, no immediate change is observ- 

 able ; and in those strong acids the life-like motion continnes, which, I 

 think, proves that the motions are not the result of any form of organic 

 life, but simply what is known as ''Brownian motion," which is fre- 

 q;uently seen when minute particles of inorganic matter are placed 

 under a high x)ower. When the spores are combined either with con- 

 centrated sulphuric acid or caustic potash they become completely 

 destroyed, forming a homogeneous mass, and their organic structure is 

 no longer visible. 



Fig. 32 represents a Fig. o2. 



sectional view of the 

 bark ; 6, Ncmnaspora ; 

 7, the same, when 

 placed in water or 

 acid, except s u 1 - 

 johuric ; 8, a very 

 highW magnified form 

 of the spores con- 

 tained in 6. 



About the 20th day 

 mycelium was found 

 in abundance grow- 

 ing from the spiral 

 threads, (see 5 , ) r e - 

 semb ling double- 

 celled Fnccinia^ the 

 spores varying i n 

 number from 1 to 10, 

 and so small that a 

 power of one-eighth 

 was required to give 

 good definition. Since 

 contact with water dis- 

 solves this form of Namasjmra without destroying the life of tlie spores, it 

 is evident that the action of rain or washes of pure water will only tend 

 to difiuse the spores over the body of the tree and roots, while the ap- 

 plications of solutions of sulphuric acid and alkalies will destroy them. 

 Hence a remedy may be found for peach-yellows in the application ol 

 alkalies and sulphates, and their compounds, to the bark and roots of 

 the trees. Statements have frequently been made that the application 

 of hot lye has been known to cure pcacli-yellows when applied to the 



