i8o PRACTICAL TREE REPAIR 



claim that they perform all of the functions as- 

 cribed to fillings, and perform some of them better 

 than fillings do. Where the complete eradication 

 of the decay is obviously impossible, or where, 

 on account of the secondary value of the tree, or 

 any other of the reasons enumerated in the sixth 

 chapter, a large expenditure is not deemed wise, 

 the weakening of the tree can be retarded by 

 treatments which, makeshift though they be, often 

 return larger percentages of benefit than do the 

 far more expensive fillings. 



There is at present a strong movement among 

 practical arboriculturists, the men connected with 

 experiment stations and with large city parks, in 

 favor of the omission of the filling in the treat- 

 ment of cavities. " Clean out every particle of 

 decay, brace the trunk if it needs it," they say, 

 " paint the interior of the cavity with a heavy 

 dressing, and let it go at that." The arguments 

 in favor of that method are four. First, it saves 

 the cost of the filling. Second, there is less dam- 

 age to the tree, because no sound wood need be 

 cut away in preparation for the filling. Third, it 

 does not suffer from the disadvantage of a cement 

 filling that it " draws " water and increases the 

 probability of a reinfection of the wound. 

 Fourth, it does not suffer from the disadvantage 

 of all fillings, that it is impossible to inspect the 

 work after the filling is in place to determine 



