58 GARDENING 



the rupture of the sap vessels, caused by a sudden 

 change of temperature. A correspondent in 

 * Gardening ' believes that when the sap is rising 

 freely and receives a long check, some of the sap 

 vessels become clogged, and when the sap again 

 rises rupture of the vessels takes place. A bruise 

 or frost would have the same effect. Apple trees 

 are more liable to canker than others. Weakly 

 trees are disposed to this disease. 



The great thing is to see the land is well 

 drained, and that the trees get as much sun as 

 possible ; keeping the bark clean, destroying insect 

 pests and giving any plant-food the trees may 

 require. 



To remove Lichen and Moss from Fruit 

 Trees. — Limewash made with fresh lime and 

 applied with a brush will soon rid trees of these 

 parasites. 



PRUNING 



The less plums, damsons, cherries, and green- 

 gages are pruned with the knife the better, as it is 

 a well-known fact that the removal of large or 

 moderate-sized branches causes gumming, which 

 leads to canker and death. 



The proper time to prune is during the summer 

 months whilst young shoots are growing ; when any 

 not required can be taken away without any harm, 

 and the shoots deemed advisable to remain can be 

 stopped at the right point. 



If a tree makes too much growth and does not 

 produce fruit, it should be lifted and replanted bodily, 

 if a young one, in the same place, but a few inches 

 higher than before ; or where too old to move thus, 



