CHAPTER XIII. 



SAVING GIRDLED TREES. 



It very often happens that neglected trees are girdled 

 by mice or rabbits and die in consequence, unless connec- 

 tion is restored between the two portions of bark. All 

 such intruders are readily kept off by making a few ap- 

 plications of the coal tar fruit tree wash described on 

 page 76 during the fall and winter. Thick paper with 



Fig. 73.— Girdled tree. Fig. 74.— Damage repaired. 



tar on the outside is often tied around the bodies of trees 

 to prevent girdling, with good effect. In using tarred 

 paper it is necessary to guard against getting much of the 

 tar on the bark of the tree. 



When only partially girdled, trees may often be saved 

 by banking up the dirt so as to cover the wound, or by 

 surrounding the trunk with a plaster of clay and cow 

 dung mixed with water to the consistency of mortar, 



