350 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[Jan. 



are pruned, they should be carefully replaced on the wall, if 

 it be not intended to retard the buds, by keeping them detached 

 as long as is deemed necessary from the wall. In nailing 

 them, observe to leave sufficient room in the shreds ; it is a 

 good rule to go by, to allow as much room as would admit an- 

 other shoot of equal size along with that laid in, to allow 

 plenty of room for the swelling of the shoots. In young luxu- 

 riant trees, this is of the utmost importance, for when this pre- 

 caution is not attended to, the shoot swells so fast, and not 

 having sufficient room in the shred, is compressed, on all sides, 

 and often almost cut through. This produces a wound, which, 

 in most cases, ends in the death of the shoot. In driving the 

 nails, care also should be taken to lay their heads in a position 

 sloping from the shoot, or branch, in order that they may not 

 grow over them, and nails with the smallest heads should 

 always be used, and no more used than are absolutely neces- 

 sary to keep each branch in its proper place. Old nails should 

 never be used until they have been re-pointed ; and if there 

 be any apprehension of insects being either on the trees or 

 in the wall, the nails should be cleaned before using, which 

 may be readily done by boiling them in water alone, or in a 

 mixture of soap, sulphur, and tobacco. The shreds once 

 used should never be used again, as they are apt to contain 

 the insects, or their eggs ; and as the expense is trifling, it 

 is better to guard against such enemies, than to combat them 

 in any other way. In making the shreds, they should not be 

 any broader nor longer than is necessary for the sort of tree 

 intended to be nailed, and each size kept separate in the 

 making, which will be found more convenient when they are 

 to be used. Strong shoots of trees may be securely fastened 

 to the wall with small pieces of tarred cord, instead of shreds, 

 jt is more strong and durable, and is not liable to harbour in- 

 sects, the portion of tar upon it keeping them off. 



The trees should, previously to nailing, be washed or 

 anointed, both for the destruction and prevention of insects. 

 This is an important business and should not be neglected, 

 and as no time in the year is so well calculated for the opera- 

 tion as winter, when the leaves arc off, and the trees disen- 

 gaged from the wall for the convenience of pruning, this ope^ 



