342 ON CANKER. 



affected must at the winter pruning be cut 

 clean out, and the part thus dressed be pared, 

 so that no water may be able to lodge in the 

 wound. When this is done, let a quantity 

 of soot be mixed up with water, after which 

 let a little train oil be worked well amongst 

 it, but so that the mixture finally remain 

 stiff. This must be plastered over all wounds 

 that have been dressed, and it will gene- 

 rally remain without any securing to the 

 branch, &c. The application of this mix- 

 ture keeps out the wet from wounds where 

 it would be likely to lodge, and both the 

 soot and oil promote vegetation. 



When trees are affected by canker from 

 having a bad sub-soil, it is in vain to apply 

 any remedy till the ground is properly 

 drained, and some fresh soil be mixed with 

 the natural soil of the border, also the tree 

 replanted. 



If through age a tree become diseased 

 so that a part of it decays, in addition 

 to other means previously directed to be 

 employed, the decayed parts must be cut 

 clean away, and if required an application 

 of this mixture must be given. 



It will sometimes happen that by acci- 

 dent a large wound will be made, in 

 which case nature itself would in many in- 

 stances effect what is desired, but when we 

 can assist nature it is advisable to do so. 

 Therefore whenever a wound is made, let 



