The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-06-16
scraping and Washing Trees.

The Massachusetts, Horticultural Society
has published report made to il by com.
mitteo appointed to inquire into ",he
uses and abuses Of the practice OF
scraping and washing trees" The conclu,
sions arrived at are so diametrically opposed
TO the prevalent opinion and practice, and
seem at the same time so well supported by
arguments. that we need no apology for pub
fishing the resolutions In which those con-
clusions nIe contained, though we do not en-.
dor<e everything contained in The report.
The resolves referred 10 are as follows -
THAT, whereas il l. the common custom
to sc,ape of the outside Of fruit and orna-
mental trees, and wash and plaster them
with lime and other preparations, in the
hope Of beneftting the trees by the des'ruc'
tion Of parasites and insects injurious To veg
citation, and Of improving their general APP
ypearance, the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society do hereby resolve, for reasons which
have been stated, that we consider this prac-
rtice of no bene6I to the tree, frOm its inabil.
ity TO affect the majority Of the insects which
are really injurious; and unnecessary in the
case OF lichens and mosses, they being not
the cause but the consequence Of disease
and decay. and positive violation Of the
laws Of vegetable physiology, and conse.
-quenily an injury to all trees, (but to orna-
mental ones in particular,) to an incalcula-
bic amount.
I'd. That lichens and NOSES in healthy
state Of the tree, are, so far as can be US
certained, no Injury to the bark, but from
their varied colors, form one Of its chief or.
naments Any operations for their 'emoy-
nj are to be strictly avoid'd and reprehend.
ed.
Sd. That as strict inquiry has shown
that bark lice, woolly apphis, and some Dor.
ers do lay their eggs and hatch their youn 9
upon the bark Of apples, pears, peaches aud
naples near the ground, and in the forks of
the branches, a gentle rubbing with some
pliable but stiff wire or other brush on the
paris affected, to be followed by u washing
with weak, soft or whale oil snap suds, is
desirable, and will be Of benefit when u
careful examination shall have shown that
the eggs are deposited upon any tree in
question, but that this prUcess is unneceS.
sary and uneconomical when the presence
OF the enemy has not been clearly proved ~
The other resolutions are to the same ef-
iect, one Of them being directed against all
alkaline preparations plastcred on 10 trees
These conclusions were endorsed by Geo.
b. Emerson, the learned author OF the trees
OF Massachusetts, and by Mr.. Tuckerman,
who has made the subject Of lchens his par
ticular study. They are moreover supper
ted by many arguments, dawn from prac
tice. experiment, theory aud analogy, but
We have not space to enter uDon these.
The report is drawn up by X. Morris Cope
land, gentleman who has adopted the &C.
cupaton Of landscape galdener which we
take to mean the tasteful arrangement, OF
grounds. At any rate, we observe that he
has been employed TO lay out the grounds
around the new Insane Asylum ut Taunton,
and the Reform School ut Wesibnro. We
should have said that this profession was
not likely TO thrive in this country If il
does so we shall be only too glad, as it vii!
yindicate the increased culture Of taste, a
qualit, which is by no means so of'en dis
played in this country as could he desired.
Very many appreciate u tasteful thing when
they see il, but very lew can make ANY ythinr
tasteful themselves. This is especially lrue
in ornamental gardening, where ornament
is too often another name for caprice and
absurdity. Mr.. Copeland seems Ia US to be
starting IN the right way, Tor in this report
he protests most strenuously against tOrtur
ing nature, urging on the other hand tina
she be followed and imilated.-SPrngfeId
Republican.