t) U r HARDS 



31 



hot follow this rule quite as strictly as in the pear, but 

 would content ourselves with going around once in 

 the middle of the season, and pinching out the ends of 

 vigorous suckers, perhaps cutting out some of them 

 entirely. During the second season, and afterward if 

 the scion has made good growth, the suckers may be 

 rubbed out as they appear, or where this is not the case, 

 the suckers may be allowed to grow to some extent, the 

 ends to be pinched out if they detract from the vigor of 

 the scion. Every thing is to be cleanly cut out at the 

 winter pruning. 



There is another view in which to look at the matter. 

 If the suckers are cut out at the winter pruning, it acts 

 as a stimulant to the tree ; whereas if they are removed 

 as they appear, or at any time during the growing 

 season, the operation acts as a check to its vigor, and in 

 rejuvenating old trees, we need the former rather than 

 the latter influence, in most cases. 



The next matter to be considered is the influence of 

 scraping and washing the trunk and larger limbs of old 

 trees at the time of grafting, or subsequently. We have 

 never felt over confident in regard to the value of 

 scraping, of itself, except as a preparation for the appli- 

 cation of some wash. K the operation is so performed 

 as to remove simply the mossy and dead portions of the 

 bark, it can of course do no harm, but if it is more 

 carelessly done, so as to mutilate the living bark, it is 

 an absolute injury. The washing of trees may be made 

 useful or otherwise according to the material employed. 

 If dissolved, caustic potash is used, of a strength greater 

 than a pound to a pailful of water, there is much danger 

 ^f producing an unhealthy condition of the bark, parti-^ 



