INTRODUCTION ix 



mendation. But earlier than any of these 

 writers, at the beginning of the fourteenth 

 century, we find at least two curious and inter- 

 esting notes as to the treatment of diseased 

 orchard trees. All this points out that from 

 an early date the subject-matter of this book 

 had received at least some attention. 



It is only, however, of late years that the 

 systematic treatment of tree wounds and diseases 

 has been adopted, by the filling of hollow trunks, 

 bracing of heavy and diseased branches, and 

 attention to insect and fungoid attacks. But 

 even at the present time these operations are 

 but little understood, and in many instances 

 are carried out in an antiquated and slipshod 

 manner, the result of ignorance as to the most 

 approved methods to be adopted in dealing 

 with the exigencies of each individual case. 



The study and treatment of tree wounds and 

 diseases is, perhaps, the most interesting and 

 fascinating of any in the whole range of forest 

 science. Why a tree becomes unhealthy or 

 dies off prematurely ; why certain species are 

 infested with a particular insect or fungus to, 

 in certain cases, the exclusion of all others ; how 



