SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 363 



tirely of cells, the feeders of the tree, always found near the surface getting air 

 and moisture, and roots of over one year old, which serve only as supporters of 

 the tree and as conductors of its food. Hence the injury that ensues when the 

 delicate rootlets are so deeply buried in earth. Placing fresh or green manure 

 in contact with the young roots is, he tells us, another great error. The place 

 to put manure is on the surface, where the elements disintegrate, dissolve and 

 carry it downwards. Numerous forms of fungi are generated and reproduced 

 by the application of such manures directly to the roots, and they immediately 

 attack the tree. It is very well to enrich the soil at transplanting the tree, but 

 the manure, if to be in contact with or very near the roots, should be thor- 

 oughly decomposed." — Rural Home. 



HEADING BACK TRANSPLANTED TREES. 



The practice of cutting and slashing trees that are transplanted is only an 

 excuse for tearing the trees out of the ground and mutilating the roots instead 

 of carefully removing them. But we do not agree with the opinion that all 

 cutting should be avoided. The error is in not doing the work right. When 

 a tree is dug from the ground where it has grown, the roots should be so care- 

 fully preserved that no large limb or branch need be cut, unless it be to give 

 the top a good shape, and even this may be deferred to the second year. But 

 it is usually very important to reduce the mass of foliage which the trees must 

 support. This is neatly and efficiently done by cutting back all the previous 

 year's growth, one-half, three-fourths, or nine-tenths, according to the loss of 

 roots. In this way there is no mutilation, or reduction of the size of the head, 

 and all may be accomplished that is required. The mistake must never be 

 made by performing the cutting back after the buds are expanded, which will 

 do more harm than good. — Country Gentleman. 



PRUNING. 



VARNISH FOR WOUNDS. 



Any limb as large or larger than one's finger should, after being cut off, be 

 painted with some kind of preparation to shut out the air and prevent rain from 

 getting into the body. Gum shellac and alcohol is easily prepared and put 

 in, and when once hardened is not subject to the effects of heat. It hardens 

 very soon after application, and can be used in hot or cold weather — is always 

 ready for use. Prepare in a wide-mouthed bottle or jar and apply with a brush. 

 Keep well corked when not in use to prevent evaporation. — Record. 



