SOIL AND ASPECT. 31 



work trader the snow, never in open daylight. Coarse paper may- 

 be tied around the tree, and smeared with coal tar ; and some use 

 strips of roofing-felt fastened around the trae ; others, old store 

 pipe — in short, anything that will keep the mice from gnawing 

 the bark. 



A WASH FOR THE TRUNKS AND BRANCHES is made by dissolviDg 

 one pound of potash in two gallons of water. If this be applied 

 with a brush or swab to the bark of the trunk and larger branches 

 before the buds burst ia spring, it will make it smooth and glossy, 

 and is sxire death to the bark-louse and aU insects and their eggs 

 which harbor in the crevices and under the scales of the bark. 

 It is also a great preservative from the attacks of insects, and 

 seems to promote the health of the tree, giving a fresh and lively 

 appearance to the bark. Soft soap — that which is ropy is 

 preferable to that which is like jelly — is also an excellent preserva- 

 tive from insects, and may be applied by rubbing it on with a 

 coarse cloth. K the bark of the tree has become very rough, it 

 is necessary to scrape off the loose pieces before applying the 

 wash. This can be readily done by cutting a piece, in shape like 

 a new moon, out of the edge of an old hoe, which will shape the 

 edge of the hoe so as to fit very nearly to the trunk of the tree. 

 The soft soap is preferable to the potash wash for old trees with, 

 such thick and rough bark. 



SOIL A25D ASPECT. 



It is essentially necessary to the health and longevity of fruit 

 trees, and the perfect development of the fi^t, that the soil in 

 ■which they are planted should be perfectly drained ; and by this 

 should be xmderstood not only the entire removal of all stagnant 

 surface water, but of all stagnant water in the soO. If such a 

 condition does not naturally exist, it should be secured by 

 artificial means. To plant fruit trees where the roots must be 

 soaked with excess of water during any long-continued period, 

 can only be productive of disappointment and loss. This having 



