The Portland Daily Press

Covering for Wounds in Trees.

It often happens that either by intention as in pruning, or by accident, trees are wounded in various ways. A common practice is to cover large wounds with coal tar; but this is objected to by some as injurious to the tree. Experiments made in orchards and gardens of the Pomological Institute, at Ruthlengen in Germany, go to show, however, that its use in covering large wounds is not injurious; but that on the contrary, a callous readily forms under the tar on the edges of the wound and the wounded part is thus protected from decay. There is, nevertheless, another objection; for if the tar is applied a little too thick, the sun melts it and it runs down on the bark of the tree. This can be obviated by mixing and stirring, and thus incorporating with the tar, about three or four times its weight of powdered slate, known as slate flour—the mixture being known as plaster slate and used for roofing purposes. It is easily applied with an old knife or flat stick, and though it hardens on the surface, it remains soft and elastic underneath. The heat of the sun does not melt it, nor does the coldest winter weather cause it to crack—neither does it peel off. The same mixture is also useful for other purposes in the garden. Leaky water pots, barrels, pails, shutters, sashes, etc. can be easily repaired with it, and much annoyance and loss of time may be thus avoided. It will stick to any surface provided it be not oily; and as it does not harden when kept in a mass, it is always ready for use. A gallon will last a long time.—Mass. Ploughman.