320 OF THE CANKER, AND GUMi 



up a mass of the Composition mixed with some 

 clay, like what is ^iised for grafting ; then fill the 

 hollow part with it to within about two inches of 

 the surface of the ground, treading it in with your 

 foot, or pressing it in with the hand, as close as 

 you possibly can, to prevent the wet from pene- 

 trating to the roots, and leave the surface of the 

 Composition sloping from the tree towards the 

 outside of the border, to throw the wet off, which 

 will prevent the fresh part of the root from rotting ; 

 then cover the root over with mould, level with 

 the rest of the border. 



When you have examined all the old w^ounds 

 where large limbs have been cut off, you should 

 next examine the old bark ; and, if vou find the 

 outside of it wrinkled and cracked, pare it off, 

 as it is always, when in that state, very much hurt 

 by the canker. This should be done with the 

 draw-knife, or other sharp instrument ; then apply 

 the Composition as before directed, which will 

 bring on a fine smooth bark under it. In the 

 succeeding Winter, or Spring, you will see all the 

 plaster, with the old part of the bark that was left 

 in the hollow parts of the tree, or where old 

 branches had been amputated, peeling off and 

 showing the smooth bark underneath. You should 

 then scrape off, with a wooden or bone knife, what 

 old bark remains in the hollows where the draw- 

 knife could not reach without cutting too much 

 away. When that is done, mix up some fresh 

 cow-dung with soap-suds and urine, making it very 



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