55 



| 



is often caused in this way to the trees, as the c acks admit air, water, 

 insects and fungi, which often cause permanent trouble. It is advis- 

 able, therefore, to dress these wounds with some composition that will 

 exclude the air, prevent cracking, and keep the wood in sound condition 

 until it is covered with a layer of bark. Various compositions are in 

 use, of which a gum is the base, such as " Gum lac," Gum arabic, &c. 

 Either of these, or any of the gums which exude from wattle trees, are 

 well adapted for the purpose. The gum should be dissolved in spirits 

 of wine till it becomes liquified to the consistence of paint, and must 

 be kept ready for use in securely-corked bottles. The composition 

 should be applied with a brush, covering the wood with a thin layer as 

 in painting. The composition will quickly harden and adhere firmly, 

 so that the air will be effectively excluded. 



THE REQUIREMENTS IN PRUNING OF THE VARIOUS FRUIT TREES AND 



SHRUBS. 



Apple. This tree bears its fruit upon wood of the previous season's 

 growth, and also upon short spurs of two or three years old and 

 upwards. Mature trees, as a rule, want but little pruning, all that is 

 necessary being to thin out crowded branches, and to remove rank arid 

 misplaced shoots. Some kinds have a tendency to bear near the end of 

 their shoots, and these should be pinched back by summer pruning. 

 Young trees must be pruned freely, so as to encourage strong growth. 

 Root-pruning will be useful in the case of over-luxuriant trees, and 

 should be done in the winter. 



Apricot. The fruit of this tree is mostly produced upon wood of 

 the previous year's growth ; but also, to some extent, upon older spurs. 

 Mature trees require to have the last year's shoots thinned out, and 

 those that are left should be shortened back to about half their length 

 Summer pruning will be very serviceable. Young trees must be pruned 

 more freely to encourage vigorous growth. Root-pruning is seldom 

 required. 



Cherry. This tree bears upon spurs of two or more years' growth. 

 It requires but little pruning, except the removal of crowded branches 

 and rank shoots. Summer pruning will often prove useful. Root 

 pruning may be sometimes practised with advantage in the case of strong- 

 growing trees that do not bear freely. 



Chestnut. The fruit of this tree is borne upon wood of the previous 

 season's growth, and but little pruning is necessary, merely the removal 

 of rank or misplaced shoots, and thinning out the branches when over- 

 crowded. Sometimes, in the case of over-luxuriant trees, root-pruning 

 will have a beneficial effect. 



Currant. The Black Currant bears chiefly upon the shoots of the 

 previous season ; but also, though less abundantly, upon older spurs. 



