74 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



The proper filling of a cavity, after the wound has been scientifically 

 dressed, will enable the cambium to begin to grow over the space 

 and in time to cover it entirely with tissue that will greatly promote 

 future growth of the tree as a whole while at the same time it removes a 

 disfigurement. But before the welfare of valuable trees is entrusted 

 to a man who professes to be able to restore them there should be valid 

 assurance of his being in every way proficient and thoroughly compe- 

 tent. 



Fertilizing. Shade trees seem to be less intelligently maintained 

 than shrubbery. It is a matter of common knowledge that the roots 

 of trees spread as far or farther than the tops, and that most of the 

 feeding roots are at the extremities of the large roots. Many ex- 

 periments have proved that the effect of fertilizers is rarely felt very 

 far in a lateral direction from the place where applied. Therefore, 

 when feeding a shade tree do not bank a small pile of strawy manure 

 around the trunk, as this encourages mice only. Spread the mulch 

 well out over the whole area covered by the top of the tree, and neglect, 

 if any, the area near the trunk. In case of shade or orchard trees 

 which are not vigorous and which require feeding, recent experiments 

 seem to show that applications of nitrate of soda and acid phosphate 

 are effective. Quantities up to ten pounds for each tree may be used 

 on old trees either spread evenly over the surface of the ground under- 

 neath the tree or introduced beneath the sod in quantities of a handful 

 deposited in the bottom of holes made by a crowbar at staggered in- 

 tervals of eighteen inches. Bone meal is probably one of the best 

 fertilizers to be used in preserving the vitality of shade trees. A 

 successful method of applying bone meal is that of spreading it broad- 

 cast over the lawn surrounding the base of the tree. This fertilizer, 

 which is slow acting, should be applied during the winter or very early 

 spring months, at the rate of at least twenty-five or fifty pounds for 

 trees from ten to twelve inches in diameter, and at a proportionately 

 less rate for trees of smaller diameter. This fertilizer should be applied 

 at least once in two years. It is much better to apply a less amount 

 and to fertilize the trees each year. 



Watering. Most of the deep-rooted shade trees, such as oaks, sel- 

 dom need watering after they are once established, but it is often 

 advisable to grve shade trees a heavy watering in time of drought. 



