178 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



reeled. If an upright bough, or the leader, 

 be the object of this care, it will be neces- 

 sary, for the insurance of a successful cure, 

 to cap it with lead, &c. as also above di- 

 rected. And, secondly, so soon as a bruise 

 on the trunk occurs, to examine whether 

 the bark only be wounded, or whether 

 the wood be also affected ; for it will often 

 happen, that an oblique stroke will sim- 

 ply peel the bark, without injuring the 

 wood. 



In this case, smooth the edges of the bark 

 with the knife, wipe the bared part dry with 

 a woollen cloth, and apply tar as above. 

 But if both bark and wood are bruised, let 

 them be previously smoothed with the knife, 

 &c. then apply the plaister ; which forth- 

 with keep in such condition as to prevent 

 the penetration of moisture. Nature will 

 not fail to do her part ; the wound will soon 

 be covered with fresh bark, if health and vi- 

 gour prevail. 



Thus much as to fresh wounds or bruises. 

 Let us now consider the necessary treatment 

 of such as have been neglected, and by which 



