904 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



States. The fungus spreads in the soil from root to 

 root by contact. When trees are once afifected with 

 this disease, there is little that can be done to save 

 them. Thorough drainage and cultivation to keep the 

 soil aerated are good preventive measures. 



The myceluim of the mushroom is capable of pro- 

 ducing a root rot, when once it gains an entrance into 

 its host. Young trees may be killed within a year ; 

 older ones will withstand the disease longer. In time, 

 however, all the root system is destroyed and the af- 



M"N(,I tAl'SIXl 



TRUNK UOI. 



fected tree is blown over by winds. The fungus which 

 produces this disease is known as honey mushroom, or 

 agaricus melheus. There is no treatment for this dis- 

 ease. Afifected trees should be dug out in order to pre- 

 vent the spread of the fungus to other healthy ones. 



Proper pruning is an essential part of the welfare of 

 a tree. No stubs should be tolerated. Two cuts should 

 be made in pruning heavy limbs. Often the incision 

 should at first be made on the under side to prevent 

 pealing. After removing the limb with a saw, the cut 

 should be smoothed with a mallet and chisel. This 

 induces quicker healing and formation of callus. 



Unprotected wounds afford penetration for all sorts 

 of rot producing fungi. All wounds, therefore, should 

 be painted over with some tar paint. Where parts of 

 a trunk or limbs are already rotted, a surgical opera- 

 tion may often be necessary to save the life of the tree. 

 Decayed areas in a trunk if allowed to go unchecked 

 will spread, and it will only be a question of time when 

 the tree will be broken. 'To save the tree, all rotted 

 tissue must be cut cut. no matter how large the wound 

 may be. T^ir the operation to be successful, the cut- 

 ting out of the rntted tissue should extend into the 

 healthy areas. This will insure the removal of all 

 traces of fungus threads which if left over will continue 

 the rotting. In case where the rotting and the cutting 



PERFORATED TRUNK CAUSED BY ROT PRODUCING FUNGI. 



I ait leave large holes in the tree, they should be filled 

 with cement. Hollow trunks may also be filled in 

 this way. The treatment, if properly executed, arrests 

 decay and affords support to the tree. 



OUR WILD FLOWERS. 



True lovers of nature cannot but view with regret the 

 rapid disappearance of many of our wild flowers. Un- 

 aided by the hand of man. nature has given to these prod- 

 ucts of her art a charm that is all her own. In what more 

 delightful way could one spend an afternoon than by 

 strolling through the shady woodland aisles, and in her 

 perfumed jewels in their mossy settings, see nature at 

 her best. 



Against the onward march of civilization nature has 

 had to give way. The wild flowers that were once so 

 splendid are rapidly disappearing. Our woodlands have 

 become the grazing grounds of cattle or have been turned 

 into parks. Probably the former practice has been re- 

 sponsible more than any other for the destruction of the 

 w^ild flowers. Woodlands are of little or no value as pas- 

 ture and for the conservation of our forest weaelth, cattle 

 should not be allowed to graze in wood lots. 



In the management of our parks more attention should 

 be paid to the" preservation of the wild flowers. Every 

 effort should be made to introduce the once profuse flow- 

 ers that are now so conspicuous by their absence. Some 

 varieties are now almost extinct. The Ontario Horticul- 

 tural Association might well devote attention to their 

 preservation. — Canadian Horticulturist. 



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