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THE HANDLING OF THE PLANTS 145 
warm weather approaches, shave off the edges of the girdle so 
that the healing tissue may grow freely, smear the whole sur- 
face with grafting-wax, or with clay, and bind the whole wound 
with strong cloths. Even though the tree is completely girdled 
for a distance of three or four inches, it usually 
may be saved by this treatment, unless the 
injury extends into the wood. The water from 
the roots rises through the soft wood and not 
between the bark and the wood, as commonly 
supposed. When this sap water has reached 
the foliage, it takes part in the elaboration of 
plant-food, and this food is distributed through- 
out the plant, the path of transfer being in the 
inner layers of bark. This food material, being 
distributed back to the girdle, will generally heal 
over the wound if the wood is not allowed to 
become dry. 
In some cases, however, it is necessary to join 159. Bridge-graft- 
the bark above and below the girdle by means 82 8irdle- 
of cions, which are whittled to a wedge-shape on either end, 
and inserted underneath the two edges of the bark (Fig. 
159). The ends of the cions and the edges of the wound are 
held by a bandage of cloth, and the whole work is protected 
by melted grafting-wax poured upon it.’ 
Repairing street trees. 
The following advice on “tree surgery” is by A. D. Taylor 
(Bulletin 256, Cornell University, from which the accompany- 
ing illustrations are adapted): — 
1A good grafting-wax is made as follows: Into a kettle place one part by 
weight of tallow, two parts of beeswax, four parts of rosin. When completely 
melted, pour into a tub or pail of cold water, then work it with the hands 
(which should be greased) until it develops a grain and becomes the color of 
taffy candy. The whole question of the propagation of plants is discussed in 
“ The Nursery-Book.” 
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