74 WOODLANDS. 



canker, moss, &c. The health of trees, whether for- 

 est or fruit trees, may be much promoted by cutting 

 away all diseased and dead parts. Every rotten, hol- 

 low, or decaying limb, should be immediately re- 

 moved, as soon as observed. And they should not 

 be removed only, but they should be cut off until the 

 axe conies to the sound wood, the surface of which 

 should be left perfectly smooth. Mr. Forsyth, of 

 London, gives the following composition, for putting 

 on the stumps of limbs which have been amputated. 

 To twenty-five gallons of human urine, and a peck of 

 lime, mix as much cow dung as will bring it to the 

 consistence of paint. This substance should be laid 

 on with a brush, about the latter part of March, until 

 a sufficient coat is on the stump to protect it from the 

 weather. This is said to be effectual, though I have 

 never had occasion to use it. 



By properly trimming and cutting away the dis- 

 eased parts, trees may be made to last much longer ; 

 nay, their very existence is often renewed. An acre 

 of woodland, properly attended to, is worth two 

 acres suffered to run to waste, to languish and die. 

 Disease in trees, as well as in the human, destroys 

 them, if not arrested by amputation or proper reme- 

 dies. 



