4/4 ORNAMENTAL PLANTATIONS. [Sept. 



tion : It is aftonifhing what extraneous fubftances 

 a tree will entomb. * It appears, therefore, from 

 thefe circumflances, that it is proper and rational 

 to aflift nature in thefe efforts. If the amputation 

 be large, or if the bruife be extenfive, fome fub- 

 flance mould be applied in lieu of the removed 

 bark, to prevent the action of the elements on the 

 timber, till nature fupply the deficiency. 



That fubitance which will bed preferve the 

 wood from corruption, is the fitted to be applied, 

 whatever it may be; and there is none better, that 

 we know of, than coal far. Previous to its ap- 

 plication, the wound mould be fmoothed with 

 the plane or the knife, and wiped dry with a 

 woollen cloth. 



In cafe the v/ood, at a bruifed or amputated 

 place, have, by neglecl, become already corrupted, 

 the rotten or dead wood is to be pared out quite in 



to 



* An Elm tree, which grew at Wemyss Castle, two feet in 

 diameter at the middle, with a bole of 30 feet in length, 

 and without the smallest appearance of blemish upon the 

 exterior, was sold to Mr James Allan, wright in Kirkcaldy, 

 in 1803 ; and when brought thither, Captain Black, ship- 

 owner, bought it for cross-beams to one of his ships. When 

 the sawers (James Annan and John Fletcher, both living 

 in Kirkcaldy at this time, 1811) were running the first 

 draught up the tree for the above purpose, they came up- 

 on a number of tvhinstoncs, pieces of red tUes, and a quantity 

 of earth, fully 56 lib. weight, and this at the height of 

 ] 1 feet from the root ! 



