THE APPLE. 55 



crowding limbs should be done in June and 

 July, but a heavy removal of foliage at this sea- 

 son will cause stunted growth. Should it be 

 necessary to remove heavy limbs (an evil to be 

 avoided by summer pinching and pruning, as 

 far as possible), this may be done in March, 

 care being taken to smooth the cut even with 

 the trunk, and painting it with shellac dissolved 

 in alcohol or with grafting wax. The wound 

 thus covered will not heal as rapidly as if made 

 in June, but, on the other hand, the check to the 

 tree is much less if the pruning is done while 

 the buds are dormant. The usual practice of 

 severe scraping in the spring is unnatural and is 

 often injurious'. Obviously it is well, after the 

 severity of winter is past, to give the trees a good 

 rubbing, and thus remove the rough bark and 

 moss which serve as a harbor for insects. But 

 scraping down to the quick and exposing to the 

 cold and evaporation of March winds must re- 

 sult in injury. The practice of giving a heavy 

 wash of caustic lime, after scraping, is also to 

 be condemned. A moderately strong wash of 

 potash water will assist in cleansing the trunk 

 and large branches and in giving a bright green 

 and healthy appearance to the bark; but under 

 generous culture this will seldom be found neces- 

 sary. 



