Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-03-12

I
selected for experiment two trees that
stood near to each other; early in March
scored one of them, by making three
incislons along the trunk, extending from
the branches near the root; the other
left undone. In the spring of the cur
rent year, that which was scored was
free OF disease; whilst that which was
Tot scored was SO affected that | thought
it necessary to take the whole head off.
Joshua Tyson, OF Montgomery county,
has tree Of the large brown species, the
trunk of which is about thirteen inches
III diameter; it became much diseased
IN the year 1919; in the course of that
year the bark opened along the trunk in
a perpendicular direction, about six feet
in length as il it had been scored in 1920
the tree threw out new shoots from be-
low the diseased parts, and assumed a
healthy appearance, and during that year
q ridge formed where the bark had been
opened, ju,ting out an inch beyond the
general round OF the body and in cob
sequence OF the tender state of the bark
in that part, the ridge has this year in
creased, and i docs appear that it will
continue to do SO, until relieved in other
places by incis ions. On another exami-
nation Of the c2crescences this season,
found the eggs OF the insect laid on the
outside, and that the worm does actual
~ make its way inwards. From these
observations, conclude that the decay
Of this valuable fruit tree is occasioned
| by diseased state of the bark (being
what is commonly termed bark bound,
obstructing the circulation Of the sap,)
and that scoring at the proper season is
an efFectual remedy; at least it is harm
less and easy. Whether | have chosen
the best time for the operation remains
TO be proven; and it | am in the main
right in my conclusion, it is a strong in
stance Of the necessity of searching into
caGsesy instead of being misled by mere
Effects
1t appears to NC that the practice of
trimming trees, SO as to form the head
several feet above the ground, is unnatu-
raj, although it is certainly attended with
many convenicnces, and Oh some occa-
slons cannot be dispensed with, particu-
larly where the ground is TILED; but
such exposure CT the stem is perhaps
Frequently the source of disease, espe-
cially in some of the delicate kinds oil
fruits, SUCH as cherry, plum, peach, sc.
have now some peach trees growing on
the north side OF board fence, which
really look more ilourishing than some
others that are not SO protected, and from
this hint would suggest the propriety
OF suffering The head to form SO near the
ground as to shade the whole stem; or
If trimmed up, to place board, or tie
straw or some other covering Oh the
south side Of each tree. The application
Of soft soap, we'll scrubbed with hard
brush, has lately been highly spoken of
and the washing with lime or compost
ton has long been practised: and also
scraping and curryiiig the bark; all of
which l believe 10 be useful, but each
in rotation, or some change is probably
best. A respectable member of our So
ciety has recommended the ringing or
gird.ing of fruit trees, 10 force them into
| cSH4 iii iiaNN iii+b VIZ Nhi)NI
and am satisfied that fruit was thereby
produced. At the sane time am con-
vinced that the trees are injured, and
must therefore disapprove of the opera
ton, and in lieu thereof would decided
| ly prefer scoring, that is by making in
cisions into the bark lcngthwise up the
trunk, continuing if necessary along the
principal branches.
| In planting trees ] would recommend
your digging the holes Of a size more
than sufficient to receive the roots (the
larger the better but not too deep, es-
pecially If the soil is shallow and the
subso! clay the earth thrown in should
be completely pulyerized and enriched,
and If in the spring season, about half a
bucket of water to each tree is very be-
neficial. After planting the more valua
Bile or DELICATE kinds, | have thrown
straw, leaves. or other litter around with
great success the litter keeps a con-
tinua! moisture, prevents the growth OF
other plans, and acts as manure; but
it should hot be continued longer than
autumn, al there would be danger of mice
harhoring in it and barking tie trees.
Some persons stake their trees at the
time of planting, and l think well of the
practice fdr the first season; but the
stakes shop Md be removed By winter,
otherwise the stem, either depending up
on the SUPPORT afforded by the stake, or
for want of proper exercise, will not grow
| in DrODOr.inn TO the other Darts and will
become too weak to sustain the head for
trees have an apparent consciousness,
and will conform to the situation in which