On Propagation

[ On Propagation ]

Date: 1795/05/23

Publication Format
Print

Type
Agriculture

Ingredients
pitch
common pitch
turpentine
aloe
powder of aloe
yellow wax
mastic

Places
Halifax
Nova Scotia

Source: Weekly Chronicle
Institution: Nova Scotia Archives | Source Origin: Nova Scotia Newspapers on Microfilm

Description

Instruction for a dressing to prevent decay in fruit tree cuttings. Vol. 9, No. 469. Microfilm Reel 8165.


Images
Transcription

     MR. MINNS,
AS I know your paper circulates extensively through the
interior of the Province, I have frequently been induced to
send you such improvements and experiments in different
branches of Agriculture as have merited the attention of
the ingenious who have made this useful art their study, or
have occurred to my own observation. The following may
not only gratify the curious; but be of infinite service to
the industrious farmer, if properly attended to, by helping
him speedily to a full orchard, without grafting or inocula-
tion. ----                                                                    H. K.
                                              ___
On Propagation, or the Continuance or Diffusion of successive Pro-
   duction--especially the Method of propagating Trees by the Bud
   and Branch: 
                                              __
    EVERY leaf upon the branch of a tree or shrub, has usual-
ly a young bud in its bosom; and it is certain each of these
buds has in it, the rudiment of a tree of the same kind: ---
therefore, it appears reasonable to think that every branch
might afford as many new plants as there were leaves upon it,
provided it were cut into so many pieces and a proper dressing
was found to prevent the raw ends of each piece from decay.
The best mixture for this purpose, upon careful and repeated
experience, is found to be this.--
    Melt together in a large earthen vessel two pounds and a half
of common pitch, and half a pound of turpentine. When they 
are melted, put in three quarters of an ounce of the powder
of aloes; stir them all together, and then set them on fire.
When it has flamed a moment, cover it up close, and it will
go out; then melt it well and fire it again in the same man-
ner: This must be done three times.
    It must be in the open air, for it would fire a house; and
there must be a cover for the vessel ready. After it has burnt
the last time, melt it again, and put in three ounces of yellow
wax shred very thin, and six drams of mastich in powder.--
Let all melt together, till it is perfectly well mixed--then
strain it through a coarse cloth, and set it by to cool.
    When this is to be used, a piece of it must be broke off, and
set over a very gentle fire; it must stand until it is just soft
enough to spread upon the part of the cutting where it is
wanted; but it must be very hot. It is the quality of this
dressing to keep out wet entirely; the part which is covered
with it will never decay while there is any principle of life in
the rest; and this being secured, nature will do the business
of the growing.
    The cutting may be about eight or ten inches long, three
or four of which to be run into the ground, and if the wea-
ther proves dry after planting, to be watered occasionally.