1881.] Peach Tree affected with the “Yellows.” 961 
ON THE MICROSCOPIC AND GENERAL CHARAC- 
TERS OF THE PEACH TREE AFFECTED 
WITH THE “YELLOWS.” 
BY W. K. HIGLEY. 
{ Continued. | 
METHODS OF DISSEMINATION. 
| DESIRE under this head to simply discuss the views of 
others, and in doing this to present my own views upon 
the subject. First, then, I will consider the belief of some 
that the yellows may be transmitted from one tree to another 
by the agency of insects, especially the honey bee, by carrying 
the pollen from one flower to others. Believing, as I do, that 
this disease is due to a fungoid growth in the aérial portions of the 
tree, this theory appears to me very absurd, more so, perhaps, be- 
cause there are no facts or experiments to support it. Consider 
fora moment, If this disease is due to a fungus, then it must be 
disseminated by the passage of the spores or living mycelia from 
the diseased tree to other trees, either in the immediate neighbor- 
hood, or perhaps to some distant tree if the conditions are favor- 
able for their transportation. If this is the case, and all, I think, 
that have carefully considered the facts, must know that it is, 
why should the fruit of the fungus be concentrated in the pollen? 
Why is it that young orchards that have never borne become 
contaminated with this disease? Why is it that orchards in close 
relation with other orchards that are affected with the yellows do 
Not become diseased? We cannot assume that the bees will not 
Visit both orchards! And finally, why is it that in the same 
orchard with healthy trees only one or two trees catch the yel- 
lows, showing all the symptoms, and the second year only one or 
two, or at the greatest only a few in the immediate neigh- 
borhood become diseased? Are we to assume that the bees in 
their search after their food are limited and not allowed to 
approach only certain trees ? 
Perhaps this is strong language to u 
has been claimed, but until the above questions are satisfact 
answered, I shall refuse to believe that insects have anything to 
do with the dissemination of this disease. : 
In concluding the discussion upon this point I will quote from 
the Michigan Pomologica! Report for 1878. On page 255, # 
se in the face of all that 
orily 
