294 THE FARMER'S AND 



The tree mosses are parasitic plants, and should be ex- 

 pelled from the fruit garden. Lye is often used for this 

 purpose on the apple tree ; but we think it is no better 

 than lime whitewash, which purifies the bark, and leaves 

 it in a fine healthy condition. Once a year is quite suf- 

 ficient. 



Under deep snows, or snow-drifts that settle around the 

 trees, the meadow mouse often gnaws the bark to their 

 great injury or destruction. This animal however always 

 works under cover; and therefore the damage may be 

 generally prevented by piling mellow earth round the 

 stems, a foot high, late in autumn. The snow as it falls, 

 is generally swept away from the pile by the wind ; and 

 even if the mouse should persist in climbing up on the 

 earth which we have not known him to do he would 

 soon come out into the open air, except when the snow 

 was very deep. 



Another method which has never failed with us, though 

 requiring attention is to tread the snow firmly doivn round 

 the stems ; and this should be carefully done every time 

 that a deep snow falls, or whenever a drift is forming 

 round the trees. The mouse, as he roots along, always 

 turns away from the hardened snow. 



Trees completely girdled by the mice however, may 

 be saved by setting grafts early in the spring to restore 

 the communication between the two detached portions of 

 the tree in other words, by grafting them together. Part 

 of a small branch should be inlaid, both above and below ; 

 and if skilfully done and carefully coated over with 

 grafting mud or wax, it will be very likely to grow, ex- 

 cept on the peach or nectarine. We have succeeded in 

 this way on a pear tree ; but three or four should be set 

 round the tree. 



Cultivated cherries belong to several species, which 

 have spread into many varieties, and probably hybrids. 



