154 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



2. Effect of Girdling Trees. — Select a tree of any kind which 

 is to be cut down. During spring growth, remove a strip of bark 

 two or three inches wide clear around the trunk or main stem of the 

 tree. Leave the wood entirely exposed with no covering of bark. 

 After a few days or weeks, note the effect on the tree. When does 

 the death or injury first begin to show? 



Mice and rabbits frequently injure the trunks of trees in 

 the orchard. They are very fond of gnawing the bark of apple 

 trees during winter. In connection with the exercise showing 

 the sap ducts, can you explaih why cutting away the bark 

 affects the growth of the tree? 



Mulches of straw or other litter placed about trees may 

 produce suitable winter quarters for field mice, and the injury 

 from gnawing trees may be very severe. Air-slaked . lime 

 thrown in such litter close to the tree will help to reduce the 

 work of mice. Eabbits and mice are also kept out by wrapping 

 the trunks for a foot or two near the ground with tarred paper, 

 veneer wood, or other suitable material. 



3. Growing Oaks and Nut Trees. — In the fall, gather a few 

 quarts of hickory nuts, acorns, peach pits, or other hard tree seeds. 

 Spread them in a dry place for a few weeks, In a box ten or twelve 

 inches deep, place a layer of sand or light soil, then a single layer 

 of the nuts, then two inches more of sand. Continue until the box 

 is filled, or until all the nuts are stored and well covered. Water 

 the box well and sink it in the open garden in a well drained spot. 

 If it is on the north side of an evergreen or other winter shade, it 

 will be less afl'ected by the hot sun towards spring. The whole 

 box may be a few inches below the surface when covered. The soil 

 should be heaped to drain off rain. In spring when the garden is 

 ready for planting, remove the seeds from the box and plant each 

 kind separately. 



This method of starting acorns, nuts and peach pits is 

 called " stratifying " them. The effect is to soften and crack 

 the hard coats so the young seedlings m?iy germinate. 



4. Tree Seedlings in Tin Oans. — In summer or very early fall, 

 transplant seedlings of several kinds of small trees started from seed 

 in the garden the preceding spring. Maples, ash, basswood, or oaks 

 may be used. The cans for this purpose should be well drained by 

 punching many holes in the bottom with a large nail. Take the 



