142 THE BROOK BOOK 



terminal bud, is enlarged and then tapers oflf into 

 a long point like a beak. When opened these 

 enlargements disclose a small squirming creature, 

 whose life-story is mysteriously linked with the 

 beak-like end of the willow's branch. 



The willows have many other oddities. Their 

 witch's brooms are almost uncanny. I never saw 

 but one of these and was greatly impressed by 

 the strange growth. Stung to desperation by the 

 attacks of a tiny mite in its growing points, the 

 willow branch develops beyond all reason. The 

 growth of the main shoot having been arrested, 

 the side buds, set for next year's growth, suddenly 

 burst forth and put out leaves and buds. These 

 buds, too, are stimulated and in turn perform their 

 duty two years too soon. As the weeks of un- 

 natural development go on, the mass of branches 

 and twigs and leaves becomes denser and denser, 

 suggesting a mammoth crow's nest. No wonder 

 they call it a "witch's broom." There is enough 

 witchery about the growth of such a tangle of 

 ambitious branches to give color to the supersti- 

 tion ; and as a cobweb eradicator in regions celes- 

 tial it could have no equal! 



The facts of its history are almost as marvelous 

 as the fancies. I hope my willows may never 

 produce another broom. One in a lifetime is 

 quite enough for me and for the tree that bore it. 



Happy the boy who knows the secret of mak- 

 ing a willow whistle ! He must know the best 

 kind of willow for the purpose, and the exact time 



