Amputation of the Large Branches of Trees. 293 



agricultural farmers ought to answer very well. Beautiful scenery, good 

 land, a forest of fine timber, and a magnificent Italian climate, are among 

 the advantages. Certainly the Government of the Cape Colony ought 

 under their land and immigration policy, to provide inhabitants for such 

 districts.— South Africwi Mail. 



Amputation of the Large Branches of Trees. 



The following method was communicated many] years ago to the 

 Society of Arts, by Mr. Henry Smith, of Bath. The object of the 

 process is to provide against the rot, which frequently attacks the 

 stumps of branches which have been cut off, and sometimes penetrates 

 into the body of the tree, rendering the timber wholly unfit for being 

 cut into planks. 



The branch is cut off at a distance of three or four feet from the 

 tree, care being taken to support it in a manner to prevent it from 

 splintering the stump. The bark of the stump is then cut into 

 narrow longitudinal strips, which, after being carefully peeled off with 

 a barking tool, as far as the body of the tree, are tied back so as to keep 

 them clear of the saw in the amputation of the stump, close to the 

 body of the tree. The saw-cut surface is then cut smooth with a wide 

 mortise chisel, and is covered with the strips of bark, cut and fitted 

 to it as accurately as possible, and fastened down with brads, driven 

 in to about the depth of one-eighth of an inch. The wound and sur- 

 rounding parts are next covered to a depth of two or three inches with 

 a cataplasm, according to the following recipe. 



Clay .... 4 parts 

 Fresh cow dung . . 2 „ 

 Wood ashes finely sifted 1 „ 

 Add cow's hair, such as that used by plasterers, a handful or more, 

 according to the quantity of the composition required. Mix these 

 materials together in a very regular manner, moistening them with 

 water to bring the whole to a proper consistence. 



In order to preserve the cataplasm from external injury, a stout 

 canvas is passed over it, and sewed round the body of the tree. 



The bandage and cataplasm must remain on the tree about six or 

 eight months. The removal of the bandage, nails, &c., must depend 

 solely on the healed state of the bark. When the bark is healed, the 

 part of the tree where the amputation of the limb took place will 

 appear as if no limb had grown there. 



The operation should not be performed during the winter months 

 when the bark will not separate from the wood, and when the 

 wounded part is liable to be attacked bv frost. 



W. E. 



