36 UNNATURAL CONDITION. 



After planting, the trees were cut back and 

 great care taken of them. In two years from the 

 time of planting, three hundred and twenty-four 

 died. The only solution I can give, is, that they 

 were stimulated to such an extent in the nursery, 

 that when transplanted into an ordinary soil, the 

 roots did not supply the amount necessary to keep 

 the top in its unnatural condition. On close ex- 

 amination of the young wood, I found it to be soft 

 and spongy. I have no doubt, that forcing trees 

 with putrescent manures is the cause of the numer- 

 ous cases from which young trees suffer for two or 

 three years after being set out. I do not mean to 

 say you should select stunted trees, but such as have 

 a healthy appearance, with a moderate growth of 

 young wood, if, on examination, you find it hard to 

 the extreme ends of the branches. You will often 

 find, on cutting the young wood of trees that have 

 been forced too rapidly, a dark brown spot in the 

 center or heart of the twig; this is a sure indication 

 of an unnatural growth, and great care will have to 

 be given, or many of the trees will not survive more 

 than one or two years. The best remedy for this 

 is to cut off at least two-thirds of the previous year's 

 growth, and mulch the ground for a space of three 

 feet around the body of the trees. 



The aphis, or what is commonly called the bark 



