20 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



small quantity of finely powdered slate or wood 

 ashes with the tar or paint, a composition 

 that is in frequent use for roofing purposes. 

 It is readily applied, and, though quickly 

 hardening on the surface, remains soft and 

 elastic underneath. The heat of the sun will 

 not melt it, while the coldest weather does not 

 cause it to crack or peel off. It is an excellent 

 composition for using on rough and uneven 

 surfaces, and will firmly adhere to the wood. 



Another composition that is in frequent use, 

 particularly on the Continent and in America, 

 is prepared as follows : Take a quart of tar 

 and boil it slowly for four hours, adding four 

 ounces of tallow and one pound of beeswax, 

 stirring frequently until the mixture begins to 

 thicken. Add to this one pound of dry, sifted 

 clay, stirring until quite thick. It is readily 

 applied by means of a knife and completely 

 excludes moisture, does not crack or peel off, 

 and, owing to remaining in a plastic condition, 

 can at any time be pressed by the hand into 

 corners and crevices of the wounded surface. 

 Grafting wax is valuable for covering tree 

 wounds, but is somewhat expensive. For 



