44 FIELD NOTES ON APPLE CULTURE. 



tree. In such cases one must keep the remaining portion 

 of the tree cut back, and must train up the sprouts 

 which spring from the wounded places to make good the 

 missing portion. If such sprouts do not arise they can 

 be made by the use of scions. Trim off smoothly the 

 remaining broken ends of the branches, and insert the 

 scions between the bark and the wood, at a distance of 

 an inch or two apart all around the wound. Scions for 

 this purpose should be cut thin, with both edges of the 

 bevel equal in thickness. As soon as the scions are set, 

 wax over all exposed surfaces thoroughly, the same as for 

 ordinary grafting. 



If trees are girdled by mice or rabbits in the winter, 

 some method should early be pursued to save them. The 

 very first measure after the mischief is discovered is to 

 protect the wounded surface by tying over it heavy rags, 

 or banking earth against it. This keeps the surface of 

 the wood soft, and prevents checking and drying by 

 wind. It is useless to insert scions or to apply other 

 remedies until the trees begin to start in the spring. 

 Fresh cow dung plastered over the denuded surface, and 

 tied on tightly with an abundance of cloths, will always 

 save trees that are girdled before July, and it will usually 

 save those girdled later. I have known no less than a 

 hundred trees to be saved in this manner, and I do not 

 recall a single failure. 



THE RAGGED BARK. 



The old and rough bark is probably some protection to 

 trees in winter. It presents an untidy appearance, how- 

 ever. It is a safe practice to remove it in late spring. 

 A much worn, thin hoe, with a handle two foot long, i 



