Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-03
MICE INJURY.
Trees Which Have been Completely
 Riddied May as We'll Be Cut Down.

Considerable damage has been caused to young trees this past winter by mice gnawing the bark at the base of the tree. In some cases the trunk is, entirely girdled, while in. many other cases only g part of the bark has been destroyed Trees which are pulled out and a, new tree. planted in it's place, for although such a tree might, be repaired 1t would take sev- eral years to heal and a young tree would cost less, and be In the end a better tree. Those which. are only partially girdled may be bridge grafted." This is not a difficult pro- cess but one which takes considera ble time, especially for one who has never done the work. Scions are >cut from the same tree or other near by trees (scions are healthy growth which grew last year either at the ends of the branches, or the growths on tho main limbs, the ones at the euds of the limbs are, to be preferred as ithey are more liable to be well ripened than the water sprouts or "suckers" on the main linabs) these are cut of with a long slant. the cut surface of the tip Of the scion is to be, inserted under the healthy, bark at the, top of the would caused by the mice and the other end is cut in a. similar manner and forced into the lower edge of the wound: the spring Of the scion may be. all that will be required to hold it in place or if not, a small brad or nail may be used or '.a.s cord may be tied around the trunk and scions. Several scions are used. placing them about an inch apart over the wound, after ! they are all inserted, the whole wound should be, covered with grating wax working the wax we'll around eacf end of the .scions. The principle 0. this work is to furnish 8, path for Sths
 sap over, the wound and ast these
 scions grow they will form a part ol
 the trunk and will prevent the tres
 from being blown. over
 If the mice have eaten the bark iron
 the tree close to the ground it vii
 be necessary to dig, away the soil ant insert the scions into the main root at the bottom Of the wound.
 This work of bridge grating can b
 best done later in the. spring assth, Ebark on the tree trunk will lift. easier
 but it may be done any day when va, can be worked: Another point to con slider is, the scions must be cut iron the trees before the buds start The, may be cut at once and placed in !; cool damp. place where they will no become dried out. '7 Trees which are to be saved shoui, receive first aid treatment at once, thi
 will consist of banking the trees witl earth, applying, grafting wax, or 1, some cases, fresh COW manure eithe alone or mixed with clay is plastere, lover the wound, any one of these ma l trV-i -iote i1o !,
 wound from drying out
 The trees may 7be banked dudfng sth early part of the summer after tn grating is done if one desires:
 In some casessit might be possible ,t cut off the tree just below the woun and insert. scions for 8 new top. Tn
 roots are as healthy as eyer and n doubt quicker results would be ob tained than if a new tree were set ii it's place. This method would ,onl apply in special leases of trees with
 straight part of the trunk below tn Iground +to&woyk upon. tzsf@ F One of the easiest methods. Of pre-
 venting to a large extent, the injur. by mice, is to bank the trees in tn I late fall with several shoye!ss of eartf
 making bank about the base of tn
 tree. several inches high. This. wnr
 will take some time in a large ,orchar
 but the, cost per tree iss slight com
 pared to, the loss caused by losing. six. year or eight year old tree. A, grass or rubbish should Joe raked ava from the base of the trees in the fal to prevent nesting places for the naict Il Farmers Bulletin No rio may b Iconsrlfed on this subject -S P. Hoii lister, Connecticut Agricultural Col leget