48 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I906. 



the crust of a deep snow. The time of year when the cut is 

 made has httle effect on the readiness with which the wound 

 heals, but more care is necessary to prevent injury to trees 

 pruned when the wood is frozen. 



A w^ound made by removing a hmb heals best if the cut is 

 made close to the trunk or branch. A stub two or three inches 

 long does not heal, and becomes a lodging place for spores of 

 fungi and bacteria which cause decay and death of the tree. 

 The splitting down of large limbs may often be avoided when 

 pruning, by sawing in from the under side first : but in every 

 case, see that the wound is left clean and smooth. Wounds 

 should also be covered immediately with a coat of paint, shellac, 

 or grafting wax to keep out the moisture and the spores before 

 mentioned. 



