35 



hard. Let the handling gang rub the stems well and re- 

 move all moss and scales, and during the prevalence of di- 

 sease, endeavour to assist the trees by removing with, tha 

 knife from time to time any shoots or wood which may bo 

 injured by Leaf Disease or Rot, beyond the hope of recovery. 

 This operation coupled with the system of "breaking back 

 to healthy wood does more to keep the tree in condition 

 than is usually supposed. If an Estate is treated in this 

 way, Leaf Disease, even if it does appear, will do compara- 

 tively little injury, and with favourable weather will not 

 last nearly as long, and consequently the trees will have 

 less to stand and longer time to recover. Where such 

 operations as I have suggested have not been performed 

 and the Leaf Disease has made it appearance, I unhesita- 

 tingly assert that pickaxiug deeply is about the best opera- 

 tions to adopt, and I may remark is one also which can be 

 done quickly and consequently can be carried out when 

 other operations are impossible. A very large percentage 

 of leaves affected with disease, may be easily collected and 

 put into the open renovation pits where they may with ad- 

 vantage be dusted over with the following mixture : 



100 parts Lime 

 100 Wood Ash 



5 Flowers of Sulphur 



