UNHEALTHY TREES.

Patea Mail, 13 January 1882, Page 4

UNHEALTHY TREES.

Root sprouting is usually a sign of an unhealthy tree. The common method of getting rid of sprouts is to chop them off with a hatchet or spade. This only increases the trouble. A stub of more or less length is left standing and this in time throws up three or four sprouts to one cut off. A second trimming has only the same effect if carelessly done. The proper way is to remove the soil below where the sprouts start; then with a sharp knife or chisel carefully remove the sprout, taking care not to braise any of the adjacent bark. Then fill in the soil, and in most cases there will be no necessity for a second trial. Sprouts are caused by latent buds or abraded bark, and usually indicate a diseased condition of stem. After attaining any considerable size very few trees throw up sprouts from their base.

Here is a strange report. At a meeting of the Nelson Education Board on the sth, a letter was received from Mr Allport stating that his daughter, whoi had gained the Board’s scholarship, and upon the strength of it bad gone to the Wanganui High School, was not receiving there the education he expected. It was resolved that the Board sanction her removal to any other public high school in the colony.