WOUNDS IN PRUNING. 187 



It is in the power of every one to prevent 

 the latter from being hurtful. Ivy is not a 

 plant which finds a nidus on the bark of trees; 

 it only finds support there. Many knowingly 

 suffer it to remain, for the gratification of ro- 

 mantic humour ; let us hope they also know 

 it is injuring useful timber, which they may 

 easily relieve. 



THE WORM in growing Fir-timber is a dis- 

 ease for which there can be no cure, except 

 in the draining and improvement of the soil. 

 Indeed, this disease is not known on soils 

 congenial to the nature of the plant; nor 

 does it ever appear until the tree become 

 sickly, by its roots having touched a canker- 

 ing bottom. 



It has been supposed this worm is the 

 same with that which is found in deal, &c.; 

 and some have thought it always generates 

 in the tree while living; and that the sudden 

 decay of Fir-trees, supposed to be by the 

 worm, is in consequence of an unknown 

 cause. I beg to differ in opinion respecting 

 this matter; for I have investigated and found 

 this sudden decay to be in consequence of 

 the animal perforating the bark in an incal- 



