Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-02-11

been gnawed by mice. Since this ques
ton is Of no little Importance. owing
to the fearful destruction made sc
often by mice gnawing the bark on
from young trees, l have thought il
well to offer some suggestions OF my
own which may or may not meet the
views Of all. In the first place It has
been through improper care OF neg
lect that they have been thus injured.
Had 3. D. kept the surface clean about
his trees for three feet Of all seeds or
trash, or even tramped the snow
down about them as soon as the
ground was covered, the mice would
/ have given them a wide berth But
this is not the question we are asked 10
answer. 1t is not the 'ounce Of preyen-
tive" that appears TO be asked for, but
the pound of cure. If the trees have
not been gnawed entirely around or
even slightly, and discovered soon be-
fore the wood dries hard, they can often
re saved by making mud Of clay, put
ting it around and over the whole,
wound, holding it there with some old
cloth or stove pipe But when too Tar
gone, would advise a serious change
In early spring. as soon as the earth
thaws out in April, cut the trees either
close to the ground or little below the
injury and set in some choice variety
Of scions that you have recently learn
I'D to be superior 10 the tree when set'
or at least would be now preferred oy
the nurseryman who started these
three or four years ago. If the work
be properly done, he will lose out NJ
tie in time or value, but frequently VIII
find this blessing in disguise. II us
gnawed trees were scrubby. crooked OF
poorly trained. as very many are, ne
can make a great improvement, and IN
the end lose very little and often Sc
cure a much more desirable variety
than the tree dealer put oil on him IN
.he start. If your variety is not strict
" hardy, be sure to put in scion OF I
well known hardin IS. This will nelp I
even tender root. This is not the best 4
plan to make sure OF d long lived tree, /
but it is the best cheap way 10 repair {
the evil. If the trees were as hardy as /
or Hibernal then l would not
cut the stems any lower than just De-
low the injury, providing there Is a
chance to retain the hardy stem or any
part. But, as a rule, mice gnaw trees
close to the ground, and it is very sell
dom one can save even two inches OF
.hs trunk, as nice never climb trees to
zraw the bark except when shut in
pile Of trash hat is often piled about
me stem in the fall or winter. Then,
Is a rule, be had better mud up or
wait till early spring and graft close
Town. say three inches, below the sur
ace. so when the scion is set it can be
,anked around with fresh earth as hlgn
S the third bud II the root be good
lie will soon grow a fine new stem
hat will often be much superior to the
ne the tree dealer sold him. But II
he trees were all he now desires, cut
# the stems close to the ground and
rust TO their sprouting from the stem.
his will save him from being hum
ugged by some scheming CRATER, or
IT this furnish him a fine opportunity
D practice grating, and if the scions
Al, he will still have a chance on the
oming sprouts. 1 would trust 10 the
orouts if the original tree was what
now wanted and could not do the
rafting myself. But grating adds an
Their chance to save the tree, as such >
.ubs are more liable to fail TO grow
ian are scions well set. Would advise
D. to go over his trees soon and ex- ;
mine carefully and such as appear
asst recovery saw of close to the
round and cover the stubs till wanted
graft or to sprout in spring. Thou
.nds could have been saved IN 1885 f
ad we sawed our old tree on
fore warm weather close to the 5
'ound. The greater share Of trees b
us treated would have sent up vigor- n
Is shoots and often been a great i'm a
oyement on the original stem. II B. D
concludes to trust to sprouts let u
m reserve as many as three OF the Il
ost vigorous so as to better balance ;.
e root and top. 1 invariably reJain ;,
rec shoots. as each will aid to protect =
e other by shading the ground and =
e trunks of each other. q
EDISON GAYLORD. 81
A pple Scab Fungus.-Now is the
re to spray for apple scab fungus.
e experimenters say that the winter
the time when the work must be ar
gun. if good results are to be expect &C
for the coming year or years. There ~
many mild days in winter that can th
utilized for this purpose. The
,res of the fungus are cast of 10 the
and find their Judgement on tho
nks and limbs Of trees.
.ook after the lawn. re