NAILING. 79 



or corners, as the young wood is 

 damaged by rubbing against them, which 

 will happen by the wind blowing them about 

 before they are laid in. 



When nails are to be used a second time, 

 they should be straightened, and afterwards 

 boiled for an hour or two, or heated in an 

 oven, in order to destroy the larvae of insects. 



Shreds of woollen are the most suitable for 

 use, the colour of them is immaterial ; but I 

 prefer dark coloured ones, as having the best 

 appearance. The length and breadth of them 

 must be regulated according to the branches 

 to be secured, they should never be broader 

 than is absolutely necessary, and they must 

 be as long as will allow plenty of room for 

 the branches, which should be so easy as 

 nearly to admit another branch of the same 

 size as the one secured; they should also be") 

 folded up a little at each end, so that in/ 

 driving the nail through the shred, it will 

 have to go through four thicknesses of cloth. 

 For when through two only, if the branch 

 be strong it very soon tears out, but this will 

 seldom be the case when folded up as di- 

 rected. 



Never use more nails and shreds than are 

 absolutely required, as a great quantity does 

 not look well, and is injurious. 



Always take care to place the shreds be- 

 tween the buds along the branches, and al- 

 ternately on each side of the branch; unlessN 



