No. 133.1 421 



ed. Still I think it a bad plan, as suckers are more apt to pro- 

 duce suckers than good straight stocks. If the ground is natural- 

 ly wet, it must be thoroughly drained, and even if it be dry, drain- 

 ing, will improve it by admitting air, and carrying off any sub- 

 stance that may occupy the ground to the detriment of the 

 growing plant, 



Bark-bouiid trees must l^e released by the use of a sharp knife, 

 which must enter above and be drawn down to the root, pene- 

 trating to the hard wood on twosidesof the tree; if it opens much, 

 fill the interstices with fresh cow manure ; this operation may be 

 performed in February. All small dead or blasted branches should 

 be cut off near the trunk, and the wound covered with paint or ma- 

 nure. Sucli blights are sometimes caused by lightning, but more 

 frequently from the hard baked ground contiguous to the tree, 

 which should always be kept loose and pliable. 



Worms frequently cause diseases in trees by domiciliating them- 

 selves between the bark and the wood. Their occupation is in- 

 dicated by the woodpecker. Immediate recourse must be had to 

 the kuit'e, or pointed wire, and his wormshipmust be ejected, and 

 the wound filled with c ay. 



Long and continued drought frequently burns and sc .rches a 

 tree to such an extent that it becomes lousy. This may be cured 

 by boring a hole in the principal root, fill the space with brandy, 

 and plug it up with a spile made of the same wood. 



Crooked trees may always be made straight, by cutting off the 

 preponderating brandies while in full leaf. 



Trees that are bark-bound may be saved by training a shoot 

 from the root, and inserting it in the green bark above; or if only 

 girdled on three sides, a piece or pieces of bark from the same 

 kind of tree may be cleverly fitted to the oark above and below. 

 If well done, in three weeks the parts will unite. 



Mice frequently bark trees in hard winters. This may be pre- 

 vented by brushing the tree near the ground late in the fall, and 

 occasionally during winter if opportunity occurs, with stercus hu- 

 manum diluted in water, or tanners' liqtior, which is the most 

 cleanly^ 



