88 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



The undiluted paste was used as a backing for cement fillings. Concen- 

 trated Bordeaux mixture can also be prepared on the farm by com- 

 bining equal weights of bluestone and lime dissolved and slaked in small 

 quantities of water. Such mixtures become very thick or stiff and 

 require thorough stirring. 



The cement used in our experiments was a medium setting Portland 

 cement mixed half and half with sand. A quick setting cement might 

 be preferable at times. The cement should be mixed in just such quan- 

 tities as are required for immediate use. 



The copper nails used were of many kinds, varying from spikes to 

 tacks. Copper nails are difficult to obtain ; tacks f to 1 inch in length 



are obtainable through the hardware 

 trade, and larger nails up to 4 inches 

 in length from the ship building 

 trade. We also used iron nails and 

 iron nails heavily copper plated. 

 The plated nails are very useful, 

 especially in the large sizes, where 

 the solid copper nail contains an un- 

 necessary amount of copper and is 

 difficult to drive in hard wood. 

 These plated nails are not obtainable 

 from any source known to the writer, 

 but should this system of treating 

 cuts become popular they will prob- 

 ably appear in the hardware trade. 

 Brass nails have also been used, but 

 copper is preferable. 



Copper window screen is now ob- 

 tainable through the hardware trade. 

 This copper screen is a very useful 

 B supplement to the copper nails, and 

 where these nails are not obtainable 

 copper screen and iron nails may 

 prove a good substitute. 



A varied assortment of tools is 



necessary, especially in excavating 



cavities. Bound and flat chisels, 



hammers, mallets, a ratchet brace and several sizes of bits, pliers, tin 



shears, etc., as well as good pruning shears and saws enter into such 



an assortment. 



Fig. 2 6 A, B, C. Diagram of a tree in 

 which a large limb has rotted down into 

 the trunk from the old cut (F). B and 

 C show the limb removed and the method 

 of treatment. 



SOME SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS. 



The proper treatment of cuts and limb stubs is a complicated matter, 

 especially under our local conditions which favor wood rot and retard 

 the natural healing process. Formerly such treatment consisted in 

 the application of some kind of paint to the entire surface of the cut. 

 This painting appeared to be the proper thing in that the cut could be 

 sealed, thus presumably protecting it from infection. In this it failed, 

 however, owing to the fact that the sap pressure behind the painted 

 surface is nearly always sufficient to rupture it. At the same time the 

 paint retains enough of the sap to keep the wood saturated and provide 



