112 



THE TREE DOCTOR 



Photo 98, Properly Pruned. 



number of vigorous canes. Train these carefully where you 

 want them, or the strongest of them, (you will do well to pull off 

 the weak ones) and the year after this you will have grapes that 

 will "scare the natives." You will then have a new vine good 

 for years to come. The grape does not require a very rich soil, 

 but a little hen-manure or bone-meal will be helpful in poor 

 lands. 



In treating of the grape thus far I have urged the necessity 

 of not allowing sod to grow around the vines. I know how peo- 

 ple admire a good, heavy, green sward (none more than I do), 

 but we must face the facts if we are to procure trees, vines or 

 shrubs. Every tree is entitled to all the land it occupies, (out as 

 far as the drip of the branches), but if you must have socl, plant 

 less trees, but have a few good specimens instead of r\ lot of half- 

 dead ones. In the last few years I have introduced what we call 

 "the reservoir system," to save the sod and yet give a supply of 

 water where a tree is suffering for lack of moisture. People of- 

 ten "water the tree." as they suppose, by sprinkling the lawn. 

 The grass usually takes up every particle of such water, and the 

 tree goes on "perishing by inches," pleading, crying, "water! 

 water !" 



