586 OBSERVATIONS ON THE mSEASES, &C, 



course of six or seven years from the first applica- 

 tion of the Composition; an incontrovertible proof 

 of its good eff'ects in restoring decayed vegetation. 



Many other Elm-trees, which had received hurts 

 from bruises and other causes, and where disease 

 and decay were already evident, after cutting away 

 all the infected part, and duly applying the plaster, 

 were so completely healed, that the outline of the 

 wound is scarcely discernible on the bark, and the 

 new wood is as perfectly united to the old, as if it 

 had been originally formed with the tree. 



Of Oak-trees also, which had received very con- 

 siderable damage from various accidents, as blows, 

 bruises, and cutting of deep letters, the rubbing oft* 

 of the bark by the ends of rollers, or wheels of 

 carts, and mutilated branches, a perfect cure has 

 been made, and sound timber produced. The 

 acidity, or corrosive quality, of the juice of Oak- 

 trees, when obstructed in their circulation from 

 any of the causes already mentioned, and ferment- 

 ing with the wet and moisture imbibed by the 

 wounds from the atmosphere, will bring on 

 disease, and promote decay : for notwithstanding 

 the hard texture of the Oak, when once the prin- 

 ciples of decay begin to operate, the acrimonious 

 juices feed the disease, and accelerate its progress, 

 as much, perhaps, as in trees of a softer quality 

 and texture ; but when the diseased or injured 

 part is entirely cut away to the fresh sound wood, 

 and the Composition properly laid on, as perfect 



