ABOUT. FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 253 



not say that it is not a good practice ; but only that we do 

 not yet understand what the benefit is. 



" Why, the bark bursts sometimes." 



Yes, disease may thus affect it ; and when it does, cut if 

 necessary. 



" Does it do any harm?" Perhaps not ; neither would it 

 to put a weathercock on the top of every tree ; or to bury 

 a black cat under the roots, or to mark each tree with talis- 

 manic signs. Is it worth while to do a thing just because 

 it does no harm ? 



" But when a tree is growing too fast, does it not need 

 it ?" Yes, if it can be shown that the bark, alburnum, etc., 

 do not increase alike. That excitement which increases the 

 growth of one part of a tree will, as a general fact, increase 

 the growth of every other. In respect to the fruit and 

 seed, doubtless, particular manures will develop special 

 properties. But is there evidence that such a thing takes 

 place in respect to the various tissues of the wood, 

 bark, etc? 



" But if a tree be sluggish, and bound, will it not help 

 it ?" Whatever excites a more vigorous circulation will be 

 of advantage. Whether any supposed advantage from the 

 knife arises in this way, we do not know. But a good 

 scraping, or a scouring off of the whole body with sand, 

 and then a pungent alkaline wash (soft soap diluted with 

 urine) would, we think, be better for bark-bound trees than 

 the whole tribe of slits, vertical, horizontal, zig-zag, or 

 waved. 



HOVEY'S MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. We recommend 

 all who can afford three dollars a year for a sterling monthly, 

 beautifully got up, in the best style of Boston typography, 

 to send to Boston for Hovey's Magazine. We give it an 

 unqualified recommendation, and those who take it one 

 year will be loth to part with it. 



