ABOTJ1 FEUITS, FLOWEKS AND FABMING. 258 



not say that it is not a good practice ; but only that we do 

 not yet understand what the benefit is. 



&quot; Why, the bark bursts sometimes.&quot; 



Yes, disease may thus affect it ; and when it does, cut if 

 necessary. 



&quot; Does it do any harm?&quot; Perhaps not ; neither would it 

 to put a weathercock on the top of every tree ; or to bury 

 a black cat under the roots, or to mark each tree with talis- 

 manic signs. Is it worth while to do a thing just because 

 it does no harm ? 



&quot; But when a tree is growing too fast, does it not need 

 it ?&quot; Yes, if it can be shown that the bark, alburnum, etc., 

 do not increase alike. That excitement which increases the 

 growth of one part of a tree will, as a general fact, increase 

 the growth of every other. In respect to the fruit and 

 seed, doubtless, particular manures will develop special 

 properties. But is there evidence that such a thing takes 

 place in respect to the various tissues of the wood, 

 bark, etc? 



&quot; But if a tree be sluggish, and bound, will it not help 

 it ?&quot; Whatever excites a more vigorous circulation will be 

 of advantage. Whether any supposed advantage from the 

 knife arises in this way, we do not know. But a good 

 scraping, or a scouring off of the whole body with sand, 

 and then a pungent alkaline wash (soft soap diluted with 

 urine) would, we think, be better for bark-bound trees than 

 the whole tribe of slits, vertical, horizontal, zig-zag, or 

 waved. 



HOVEY S MAGAZINE OF HOETICULTUEE. We recommend 

 all who can afford three dollars a year for a sterling monthly, 

 beautifully got up, in the best style of Boston typography, 

 to send to Boston for Hovey s Magazine. We give it an 

 unqualified recommendation, and those who take it one 

 year will be loth to part with it. 



