122 tiri: FAiiM. 



the ungirdled limbs to supply nourishment to the balance of the tree. June 

 is the time girdling ia done, which is only intended as preparatory to tho 

 next year's crop. It is claimed, however, that gii'dling in June makes a more 

 perfect development of the fruit then on the Mmbs. 



Girdling is done by taking out a rim of bark entirely around the tree, limb 

 or vine, not over one-fourth of an inch wide. Sometimes this space is healed 

 up the first year, but certainly the second year, if the tree be not too feeble 

 and sickly. We advise all to go slowly and carefully in this matter, but it is 

 worthy of an experiment by all. 



But yet there are many things which need studying, and diverse matters 

 should be reconciled. One contends that girdling stops the rapid growth of 

 the tree, and causes a more abundant fruitage. Another that girdling 

 causes an abnormal gi-owth of the limb, and the largely-increased pro- 

 duction of fruit. Great are the mysteries of Nature. 



Covering f jr Woniuls of Trees. — ^It often happens that, either by in- 

 tention, as in pruning, or by accident, trees are wounded in various ways. 

 A common practice is to cover large wounds with coal tar; but this is ob- 

 jected to by some as injurious to the tree. Experiments made in the or- 

 chards and gardens of the Pomological Institute, at Euthlegen, in Germany, 

 go to show, however, that its true use ia not injurious; but that, on the con- 

 trary, a callous readily forms under the tar, on the edges of the wound, and 

 that the wounded part is thus protected from decay. There is, neverthe- 

 less, another objection: for if the tar is applied a little too thick, the sun 

 melts it, and it runs down on the bark of the tree. This can be obviated by 

 mixing and stirring and thus incorporating with the tar about three or four 

 times its weight of powdered slate, known as slate-flour — the mixture being 

 also known as plastic slate and used for roofing purposes. It is easily ap- 

 plied with an old knife or flat stick, and though it hardens on the surface, 

 it remains soft and elastic underneath. The heat of the sun does not melt it, 

 nor does the coldest ^vinter weather cause it to crack — neither does it peel off. 



The same mixture is also useful for other purposes in the garden. Leaky 

 water-pots, barrels, pails, gutters, sashes, etc., can be easUy repaired with 

 it, and much annoyance and loss of time be thus avoided. It will stick to 

 any surface, provided it be not oily; and as it does not harden when kept in 

 a mass, it is always ready for use. A gallon will last for a long time. 



A most excellent preparation for small wounds and for grafting, is thus 

 prepared: Melt a pound of rosin over a slow fire. When melted, take it 

 from the fire and add two ounces of balsam of fir (Canada balsam), or two 

 ounces of Venice turpentine (not spirits of turpentine), stirring it constantly. 

 As soon as it is cool enough, mix in four to six ounces of alcohol of 95 degrees 

 strength — according to the season — until it is as thick as molasses. It keeps 

 well in close-corked bottles for a long time. Should it become too thick, by 

 the gradual evaporation of the alcohol, it is easily thinned by putting tho 

 bottle m warm water and stirring in sufficient alcohol to biing it to a proper 

 fluidity. It is applied with a brush. 



This preparation is much better than liquid grafting wax composed of 

 resin, beef-tallow and spirits of turpentine, which often granulates. If 

 there be any danger that the cioiis will dry up by evaporation, they may, 

 beneficially, be brushed over ^^'ith this composition, it being firat made more 

 ^iiid by adding alcohol. By this means I succeeded, in February of last 

 •*ar, in grafting a single eye of Mgle Sepinaria upon a lemon tr(K?, iu a dry 

 alttiug-room, without the use of any glass coveriug. 



