The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-12-24
REJuvenArINo OLD TREES.
Scientific Method OF ImpnrtinK New
yigor Into DecayfDg Trunks.

tECf INTO DffA
Old trees are among the most cher
isbed treasures of rural and suburban
homes. They are the most costly, too.
as every finished product is costly into
which has entered those Transforming
aud creative processes which only long
reaches Of time can furnish. An old
house may fall down or be destroyed by
fire. and. while we mourn the loss Of the
visible sign Of old associations, a bet
ter and more beautiful structure can
be- made to take its place. But when
an Old tree that has been the guardian
OF the home for generations and stood
there before the home was founded STR
renders to the blast the loss Is beyond
repair, for long time at least. As
there is no immediate remedy possible
the need OF precaution becomes al the
greater. When one o. these old scnti-
ncls begins TO show signs Of disense
AID decay and year by year grows more
attcnuated in It's branches and weaker
in leaf growth aud power we watch
II MS we watch a friend attacked by a
slow but incurable malady. But remc-
dies are now being discovered for al
most every III Of the body and successful
tree surgery is or may be rs common
as the higher form Of that science.
A recent number Of Garden and For
est discusses the rctuvenescence Of Old
trees and gives practical directions for
effecting 1t. Directly 10 the point are
two illustrations II the same tree, a ven
cradle oak in the Arnold arboretum.
The first Is OF q tree with far-renching
branches, but marked by infallible
signs Of decrepitudc. the LEAKAGE scanty
and the general prospect of life dis
couraging.
The second illustration shows the
same tree IL years later, shorter Of limb,
it is true. but displaying vigor in every
leaf and FIBER and exhibiting every char,
acteristic OF youth and strength and
hopeful promise of longevity. No
miracle, not even one Of natures. has
been performed The result is sim.
ply one of skillful tree surgery. of in.
toiligent pruning according to the De
Care system, which instead Of send
ing the tree blood long distances
through collapsed and withcred arteries
contracts the area and applies the nour
ishing forces in such way that they
can be assimilated and made to promote
tie growth Of all the members.
The process is one which almost any
intelligent farmer or tree owner shoulC
be able to apply. "Vigor can be re
stored to tree in this condition by
shortening all its branches by one-thirs
OF one-half their entire length TIL
only care needed in this operation is t.
cut back each main branch to q health,
lateral branch. which will serve to at
tract and elaborate by means Of it
leaves a sufficient flow of sap to nsur
the growth OF the branch" These di
rectons must be carefully observed Il
prevent further decay. and care mus
also be taken to leave the lowest limb
the longest, SO that the greatest possibi
leaf surface shall be exposed to tn
light. SO If some old tree, near road
side or dwelling. that has been th
landmark Of a century. shows alarming
symptoms. the owner should not dc
p spair efore he has treated it according
to the general plan here laid down.
Boston Transcript.