388 The Canadian Horticuultrist. 



close, or to saw close, beginning on the under side, and sawing a little way, 

 finishing it on the upper side. This keeps the bark from tearing, which makes 

 an ugly wound. These remarks refer, of course, to full grown trees. 



The time to begin trimming young trees is before they are set out. In 

 digging, the roots are more or less shortened, and it is necessary to shorten the 

 tops correspondingly. It is then the time to give right direction to the limbs, 

 to take out feeble shoots, and to cut back part of the previous year's growth, 

 taking care to cut just above the bud, which is the way the limb should grow. 



In trimming grape vines that are taken down from the trellises, the cutting 

 should be done so the stump will season before snow comes, or they will be 

 liable to b'eed all the next summer. — Green's Fruit Grower. 



THE VALUE OF LEAVES. 



EAVES are of value as a mulching material, as stock bedding 

 and as a stable absorbent. 



As a mulch, leaves possess the highest value. In the 

 garden a light covering of leaves over the pansy or straw- 

 berry bed will do much to bring the plants through in an 

 improved condition. In fact, all forms of vegetation come 

 out in the spring greatly benefited if a light mulching 

 material is spread about them in the fa41. Leaves placed 

 about plants in the fall shield them from the sun's burning rays during winter. 

 In the early spring, as the days become warmer, the constant freezing and 

 thawing is prevented by the shade afforded. While serving the purpose of 

 shade to the plants they become more or less packed about them because of 

 rains and wind. In this condition decay sets in, and when warm spring arrives 

 a good top dressing is on the soil's surface. If allowed to remain among straw- 

 berry plants the leaves aid greatly in keeping the fruit clean and of bright 

 appearance. In the summer season, especially such a season as has been the 

 past, the mulch prevents excessive evaporation from the soil. 



As bedding material the value of leaves is well known,^ and as a stable 

 absorbent their worth should not be overlooked. Placed in the stables, they 

 will readily absorb three times their own weight, which fertilizing material they 

 will hold tenaciously Thrown in the dung or compost heap they do not add a 

 serious obstacle to rapid removal of the pile in spring, but tend to form a 

 heap easily worked and at the same time adding their own decay to the compost 

 pile. 



While the extensive gathering leaves for the stable can hardly be recom- 

 mended, yet as a mulch to the fruit, vegetable and flower garden their value 

 should not be under estimated. — New England Homestead. 



