thick, all over the part where the wood or bark has been so cut away, finishing off the edges as thin as possible. Then take a quantity of dry powder of wood-ashes mixed with a sixth part of the same quantity of the ashes of burnt bones; put it into a tin box with holes in the top, and shake the powder on the surface of the plaster till the whole is covered with it, letting it remain for half an hour, to absorb the moisture; then apply more powder, rubbing it on gently with the hand, and repeating the application of the powder till the whole plaster becomes a dry smooth surface. "If any of the composition be left for a future occasion, it should be kept in a tub or other vessel, and urine poured on it so as to cover the surface, otherwise the atmosphere will greatly hurt the efficacy of the application. "When lime rubbish of old buildings cannot be easily got, take pounded chalk or common lime, after having been slaked a month at least. "As the growth of the trees will gradually affect the plaster, by raising up its edges next the bark, care should be taken, when that happens, to rub it over with the finger when occasion may require (which is best done when moistened by rain), that the plaster may be kept whole, to prevent the air and wet penetrating into the wound." Mr. Forsyth says, farther on, "As the best way of using the composition is found by experience to be in a liquid state, it must therefore be reduced to the consistence of a pretty thick paint, by mixing it up with a sufficient quantity of urine and soap-suds, and laid on with a painter's brush. The powder of wood-ashes and burnt bones is to be applied as before directed, patting it down with the hand." Although I do not feel disposed to go the length of admitting of all that has been said of the virtues of this A WASH FOR THE STEMS, ETC. 509 composition, I believe it to be a very excellent one to be applied to trees where their limbs have been amputated, or their bark injured by wounds. I have therefore inserted its preparation here, verbatim, from Mr. Forsyth's Treatise, and recommend its application in the manner he has directed, particularly in a liquid state. A Wash for the Stems of Fruit Trees. Take a peck of fresh cow-dung, half a peck of quicklime, half a pound of flour of sulphur, and a quarter of a pound of lamp-black. Mix the whole together with as much urine and soap-suds in a boiling state as will form the ingredients into a thick paint. This composition may be applied to the stems of young standard trees when planted out into the orchard, to prevent their being injured by the depredations of hares and rabbits. A Wash for the Stems and Branches of Fruit Trees. Take half a peck of quick lime, half a pound of flour of sulphur, and a quarter of a pound of lamp-black. Mix the whole together with as much boiling water as will form the ingredients into a thick paint. This composition is recommended to be applied to the stems and limbs of apple trees which are infested with the White Mealy Insect, having previously removed the moss and loose bark by scraping them off with a strong knife, or some other instrument adapted to the purpose. In using the composition, it will be most efficacious if applied in a warm state, or something more than blood heat. On young trees, No. 24. Vinegar will effectually destroy this insect, and I have for many years, in my own nursery, used it for this purpose; but this would be too expensive to be applied when the trees are large. A KALENDAR OF WORK IN THE FRUIT GARDEN. January. Trench and manure ground for early planting. Prune, nail, and train wall and espalier trees, Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberry, and Nuts. Figs must not be pruned till April. The manner in which the different operations are to be performed will be found under the different heads of Pruning and Training, which see. Plant out fruit trees, Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, and Nuts, if not already done. Look over fruit in the fruit room; keep out frost, and pick out all decayed fruit. Force Strawberries; the Roseberry is now the best. See Forcing of Strawberries. Should the weather prove mild, those pots of Strawberries which are in frames for the purpose of furnishing a succession, must have plenty of air during the day; but the glasses must be shut down in the night, in order to secure them against frost. February. Trench, manure, and prepare ground for planting. Prune and train wall trees and espaliers. Finish pruning also of all orchard and dwarf fruit trees, Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, and Nuts. Plant out fruit trees and bushes which have been omitted in the former months. Protect the blossoms of Apricots, particularly those of the Masculine, by fixing up nets at six or nine inches from the wall, either single or double, according to the size of the meshes. Instead of net, fern may be used, by pushing the ends of the fronds, or leaf-stalks, under the branches, allowing the leaves to form a thin covering all over the tree. This covering must be allowed to remain till the fruit has attained the size of a small hazel-nut, when, during a mild showery day, the whole may be removed. Where Apple trees are infested with the White Mealy Insect (aphis lanigera) commonly called the American blight, the limbs and trunk should be completely divested of their loose bark; and all places where the insects have formed excrescences round the knots, or otherwise secreted themselves, should be pared off smooth with a sharp knife, and the other scraped off clean to the live bark. The Wash for the Stems and Branches of Fruit Trees (p. 509.) must be now applied with a strong painter's brush, till the bark is completely covered with it. As this insect penetrates the ground, fixing itself upon the bottom of the stem and large roots immediately connected with it, the mould must be removed round the bottom of the tree to the principal roots, and the composition applied as far as any trace of it is to be found. It will be necessary also, as far as it is practicable, to apply it to every part of the branches where it has made its appearance. The aphis lanigera becomes winged in the month of August, and spreads itself from one tree to another; if, therefore, any of it at that time is found to have escaped the first dressing, the composition should be repeated again as before, taking the early part of the month for this purpose. By pursuing this plan, this deadly enemy to our Apple trees may be destroyed, or its depredations so much checked, as to cause but a very trifling injury to the trees. The application of oily or resinous substances to the stems or branches of fruit trees ought to be at all times carefully avoided. Keep up a succession of Roseberry Strawberries in the forcing-house; and, towards the end of the month, Keens' Seedling will be a proper sort to be made use of for a succession from this time till the end of the forcing season. Look over the fruit room, and pick out all decayed fruit. March. Finish planting of all sorts of fruit trees and bushes, and mulch newly planted trees with rotten or halfrotten dung. Plant out Strawberries, as directed under that head. The pruning of fruit trees must be completed as early in this month as possible, if it has not been done already, except the Fig, which must be deferred till the next month. Grafting of all sorts of Apples, Pears, Plums, and Cherries, must be performed this month. Thin out early Grapes in the stove and forcing-house; and continue to force Keen's Seedling Strawberries for succession crops to those of the last month. Look over the fruit in the fruit room, picking out all which are unsound; and should the house be damp, give air in a dry day for a few hours, but shut up again close towards night. If straw has been used for a covering to the fruit, and has become damp, or contracted any unpleasant smell, it must be removed, and sweet dry straw supplied in its room. April. Prune and train Figs, as directed under that head. |