FUNGUS GROWTH ON TREES 103 



be found on almost all hard-wooded trees, 

 though it would appear partial to the sycamore, 

 elm, apple, and pear. It attacks both living 

 and dead wood, and may generally be found 

 on old pea-stakes, faggot-wood, and poles, par- 

 ticularly where such are piled together in a 

 damp and sunless position. Though of small 

 size, it is one of the most conspicuous of the 

 family, being, in the first stage, of a bright 

 coral-red colour, gradually dying off to a rusty 

 brown. The first appearance of attack is 

 betrayed by the sere, drooping leaves, which 

 soon fall off; the bark becomes rough and 

 shrivelled, after which appears the coral fungus, 

 Though not of a deadly nature, it spreads 

 rapidly, and should be kept in check by 

 pruning off and destroying diseased branches, 

 and keeping the ground clear of dead and 

 dying wood. 



Sclerotinia. In the life-history of this fungus 

 there are several distinct stages, that known as 

 Eotrytls being by far the most injurious to trees, 

 and causing the now well-known and much- 

 dreaded leaf-shedding of certain coniferous trees. 



Young trees whilst in the seed-bed or 



