REMEDIES FOR INJURED TREES. 63 



made in it. The ends of the scions are then cut to fit these notches, 



the scion itself being left slightly longer than the span of the injury, 

 so that they may be sprung into position and held firmly. The 

 cambium layer of tree and scion should meet over as much surface as 

 possible. Some operators use a chisel to cut the notches and a small 

 nail or tack at each end to hold the scion in position. The last step 

 is to cover all exposed cut surfaces with grafting wax or to bind all 

 with waxed cloth so as to exclude air until the scions are firmly 

 united with the tree. 



If young orchard trees are but slightly injured a covering of graft- 

 ing wax may be applied with good results, though a covering of soil 

 is equally effective. The usefulness of paints for damaged trees de- 

 pends both upon the stage of growth and the composition of the 

 paints. Some are said to kill trees if applied in the spring. Coal 

 tar will do the same, as the writer learned by costly experiment. 

 Pine tar has been highly recommended for wounded trees, but it 

 has been known to kill young peach trees to which it was applied to 

 keep away mice. 



For nursery stock badly injured by mice there is no remedy. When 

 the injury is slight the wounds may be covered with wax or soil and 

 will heal over in a season, delaying sale for a year. This applies to 

 both deciduous trees and evergreens. In the case of young trees, when 

 the injury is considerable the tops may be cut out and new ones 

 grown more quickly than fresh stock, but this is possible only when 

 the wounds are well above the original graft. In the case of valu- 

 able or rare sorts bridge grafting may be resorted to, but for ordi- 

 nary stock it is cheaper to pull up the injured trees and grow new 

 ones. 



SUMMARY. 



Field mice, because of their small size, secretive habits, and great 

 fecundity, often become a menace to farm and orchard crops in many 

 parts of the country. In the Old World, as well as in America, cor- 

 rective measures begun after a plague of the animals is in full 

 progress have usually proved ineffectual. Preventive measures, if 

 carefully carried out, are sufficient to avoid serious losses. 



Among the more important measures for preventing ravages by 

 field mice are the f olloAving : 



1. Protection of the natural enemies of field mice, particularly 

 owls, most hawks, shrikes, snakes, skunks, badgers, and most species 

 of weasels. 



2. Elimination of the breeding grounds of field mice by draining 

 swamps and cleaning waste places that afford the animals harborage. 



3. Periodic plowing of grass and other lands for the rotation of 

 crops. 



4. Clean cultivation of corn and all other crops, and especially of 

 orchards and nurseries. 



