INTRODUCTION 



THOUGH no book dealing exclusively with tree 

 wounds and diseases has been written, yet re- 

 ferences are not wanting, in ancient as well 

 as modern works, to the doctoring of fruit 

 and other trees. In Evelyn's Syfoa^ published 

 in 1670, under the heading of " Infirmities of 

 Trees," some quaint instructions are given re- 

 garding the treatment of canker, hollowness, 

 wind-shock, blasting, and caterpillars. " Hol- 

 lowness," he says, " is contracted when by 

 reason of the ignorant or careless lopping of a 

 tree the wet is suffered to fall perpendicularly 

 upon a part, especially the head. In this case, 

 if there be sufficient sound wood, cut it to the 

 quick and close to the body, and cap the hollow 

 part with a tarpaulin or fill it with good stiff 

 loam and fine hay mingled. This is one of the 

 worst of evils, and to which the Elm is most 



