Juniperous horizontalis Moench. (This is the Seaside Juniper ■ — not to 

 he confused with the Common Pasture Juniper of New Hampshire). Many 

 witches brooms on this species were found in eastern Maine of which nine 

 were selected for trial. As found these growths ranged from one to three 

 feet in height and were of varied growth patterns from narrow columnar to 

 broadly pyramidal. All were of dense growth with the foliage of the juvenile 

 needle-like type rather than the mature scale-like form. Propagation of these 

 forms has been successful and limited numbers of them are in the field 

 to observe growth and general behavior as independent plants. 



Larix laricina Mill. Numerous witches brooms were also found on this 

 species in eastern Maine and although it is deciduous it is a beautiful 

 conifer. Several of these witches brooms are of a very dense desirable growth 

 up to 7 or 8 feet in diameter. Three selections have been tried for propa- 

 gation in the cutting bench and as yet none have been successful. Other 

 rooting teachniques or even grafting may be necessary. 



Pinus resinosa Ait. — Red or Norway Pine. An unusually fine witches 

 broom was found on this species which measured approximately 12 ft. 

 wide by 5 or 6 ft. high. From hundreds of cuttings none rooted following 

 a variety of treatments. Pines are possibly the most difficult of all ever- 

 greens to root from cuttings and other methods may have to be used. 



Pinus strobus L, — White Pine. Five witches brooms have been found 

 on this species three of which have been collected and propagation trials 

 made. One was unsuccessful and two others are still being tried. Again 

 other techniques may be necessary. 



Abies balsamea Mill. — Common Balsam Fir. Witches brooms are very 

 common on this species but almost always have some serious defect for 

 ornamental purposes. However of the few attractive ones found two have 

 rooted successfully and are being grown in the field for observation. A very 

 recent acquisition shows the most desirable shape and foliage characters 

 of any we have seen. Dwarf forms of this evergreen should be among the 

 best for severe climates. 



Picea glauca (Moench) Voss. P. rubens Sarg. and P. mariana (Mill.) 

 B.S.P. Spruces; White, Red and Black. Witches brooms on these species 

 also usually have serious ornamental defects possibly due to the fact that 

 the organism causing the abnormal growth is often the parasitic dwarf 

 mistletoe which is itself undesirable. 



Partial success has been had with one specimen from White Spruce and 

 two from Black Spruce. 



In addition to dwarf evergreens originating as witches brooms there are 

 also other possibilities, the genetic dwarfs and those which might be called 

 physiological dwarfs. The genetic dwarfs are found as naturally occurring 

 seedlings either in nurseries or in the wild. 



The only recorded genetic dwarfs of the red pine were found in Wolfe- 

 boro, New Hampshire, 50 years ago. These are now beautiful plants 15 feet 

 across and nearly as tall. As yet they have not been successfully propagated. 



Tsuga canadensis L. (Carr.) — Hemlock. Gentic dwarfs and variants 

 of this species appear with some frequency but few of them have been se- 

 lected and propagated. We have one from Franklin, New Hampshire which 

 has rooted successfully. We have located a number of others and are 

 searching for more. This species widely regarded as the finest of the coni- 

 fers holds great promise of dwarf horticultural forms for northern gardens. 



