158 OF PRUNING. SECT. XI). 



that is decayed by cracks, &c. mull be cleared away 

 to the quick, either by rubbing, or the knite, as filth 

 and infecls are apt particularly to gather there: wipe 

 the part clean, with fpunge and foap. 



Confuler the foil about an unthrifty tree, and if it is s 

 thought bad, improve it by moving away as much ot 

 the old as conveniently can be done. The roots may 

 be laid carefully quite bare, and examined, in order to 

 cut off decayed or cankered parts, and to apply imme- 

 diately to them fome fine and good frcjh earth, with a 

 little thorough rotten dung in it, and a fprinkling of foot, 

 or wood afhes. 



Hog dung, applied frefh, is faid to have a peculiar 

 efficacy in recovering weak trees; and cow dung may 

 reasonably be expected to do good, if the foil is a 

 warm, or hungry one, and it not fo, the hog dung is 

 not fo proper, as it is a cold drefiing. If the foil is a 

 ilrong one, a compofi of fowls, oxjheep's dung, time, with 

 any frefh light earth, one part of each of the former, 

 and three of the latter, mixed with the foil that is taken 

 ofT, will be a proper manure; to which a little fharp 

 fand maybe added. An animal dreffmg, as ot entrails, or 

 any carrion, or bullock's or hog's blood, applied to the 

 roots, has been frequently found effectual to make fruit- 

 ful, and to recover decaying trees, and in particular 

 vines. All thefe applications mould be made late in 

 autumn, or early in fpring. 



The conftltution of a tree is fometimes naturally 

 barren ; or the foil that the roots have got into may be 

 fo nought and deleterious, that no pains, or perfeverance, 

 will avail any thing; but continuing truitlefs and 

 fickly, admonifhes the owner to take it up, and try ano- 

 ther 'plant, rectifying the foil thoroughly, it the evil 

 is thought to arife there. The (mother fly does fome- 

 times repeatedly attack the fame tree, which is a fign of 

 inherent weaknefs, for the juices of a fickly tree are 

 fweeter than thofe of a found one, and fo more liable 

 to fuch attacks. Sometimes a tree of this kind, when 



removed 



