v.] THE AMERICAN GARDENER. 1T7 



in the fall ^ which gives time for a renewal, or new 

 supply, of roots before the sap be again in motion. 

 For this reason, if crops be grovAm under trees in 

 orchards, they should be of wheat, rye, winter- 

 barley, or of something that does not demand a 

 ploughing of the ground in the spring. In the gar- 

 den, dig the ground well and clean, with a fork, late 

 in November. Go close to the stems of the trees : 

 but do not bruise the large roots. Clean and clear 

 all well close round the stem. Make the ground 

 smooth just there. Ascertain whether there be in- 

 sects there of any sort. And, if there be, take care 

 to destroy them. Pull, or scrape, off all rough bark 

 at the bottom of the stem. If you even peel off the 

 outside bark a foot or two up, in case there be in- 

 sects, it will be the better. Wash the stems with 

 water, in which tohacco has been soaked ; and do 

 this, whether you find insects or not. Put the to- 

 bacco into hot water, and let it soak 24 hours, be- 

 fore you use the water. This will destroy, or drive 

 away, all insects. 



297. But, though, for the purpose of removing 

 all harbour for insects, you make the ground smooth 

 just round the stem of the tree, let the rest of the 

 ground lay as rough as you can ; for the rougher 

 it lies the more will it be broken by the frost, which 

 is a great enricher of all land. When the spring 

 comes, and the ground is dry at the top, give the 

 whole of the ground a good deep hoeing, which 

 will make it level and smooth enough. Then go on 

 again hoeing throughout the summer, and watching 

 I well all attempts of insects on the stems and bark 

 of the trees. 



^ 298. Diseases of trees are various in their kind ; 

 but, nine times out of ten they proceed from the 

 1 roct. Insects are much more frequently an effect 



