231 



either let out with an augur, at the bot-* 

 torn of such space, or dried out with 

 cloths, where they can be applied. Tlie 

 hollow may then be filled with very dry 

 sand, and its mouth plugged with wood. 

 The plug should be driven, so as to be 

 level with the inner bark ; as, by that 

 means, nature's efforts would not be ob- 

 structed, in growing over it. The fitting 

 of the plvvg is not material, as it should 

 be calked with oakum, to exclude the air 

 and moisture, and afterwards painted 

 over, as directed in the last case. 



There is one standing and general pre- 

 judice, in regard to pruning, which ope- 

 rates ver}' much to its disadvantage, by 

 limiting the business to comparatively 



scarifying bark-bound trees, in a very striking point 

 cf view. If such means could support the tree in 

 the first instance, and afterwards invigorate it, so as to 

 produce what has been discribed, wc may easily sup- 

 posea large quantity of sap to ascend in tlie new wood, 

 grown in the incisions made in the latter operation. 



