66 THE TREE DOCTOR 



death. There is a most beautiful economy in all the arrange- 

 ment of Nature. As soon as any one creature succumbs to 

 death, there are other creatures to prey upon it and hasten its 

 dissolution into the primary elements, so that it can be worked 

 over and put into some other form. To our senses there is a 

 strong aversion to the decay that follows death. We may pity 

 a diseased tree, but we certainly cannot admire it. But how 



Photo 54 

 Cross Section of an Elm. 



doubly interesting it is when we realize that vv'e can remove the 

 decay from an old forest friend, heal its wounds and restore it 

 to health and the charm of its youth ! 



The Chestnut in Photo 55 was filled three years ago, as was 

 also the Red Oak, show r n in Photo 56. See how nicely the new 

 lines are forming. There are a few cracks in the "filling," and 

 these cannot be avoided, as the swaying of the tree in the wind 

 will make some "elbows" in the most convenient places. These 

 cracks should be frequently painted to prevent water entering 

 and getting behind the cement. The thick paint found in the 



