32 



ORCHAKDS. 



cularly in young trees, and also in too closely scraped 

 old ones. The bark under such circumstances is apt to 

 take on a reddish hue, and is often scalded, as it is 

 called, upon the sunny side. A much better preparation, 

 and one with which we feel well satisfied, is made by 

 mixing together equal parts of soft soap and fresh cow- 

 duno^, to which is added sufficient water to render it 

 easily applicable w^ith a brush. The bark under the 

 application of this mixture assumes a dark green color 

 on young trees, and has a healthy appearance ; and a 

 wash of this nature has been found to favor an increase 

 in the size of the trunk or limb to which it is applied. 

 The effect of scraping and washing, so tlir as they extend, 

 is of the same character as grafting, winter pruning, &c., 

 as it acts as a stimulant to the energies of the tree. 



The application of manures or special fertilizers, with 

 or without plowing or cultivation, to old trees at the 

 time of grafting or afterwards, acts also as a stimulant, 

 and in the use of them we should be guided by the 

 condition of the tree. If it be a very unthrifty one, we 

 of course may make applications of this sort much more 

 liberally than if it were in a vigorous and healthy state. 

 We have often noticed one great misconception which 

 people appear to entertain, as shown by the fact that 

 they apply the manure within a circle of perhaps a rod 

 or a rod and a half in diameter ; whereas with our ideas 

 of the condition of an old tree, and the way in which it 

 is supplied with nourishment, we should incline to 

 apply nearly the whole of it outside of such a circle. 

 As a general rule we do not think it advisable tQ apply 

 m<anure until after the tree has been grafted two or^ 



