this connection, we
refer back to the letter from Mr. H. P. Burgart, of Michigan, whose
suggestions on cultivation and fertilizing are well worth careful study
and practice by all who have had this trouble. It is possible that some
planters, especially those whose trees are set on hillsides, where
erosion is a robber of fertility, would modify Mr. Burgart's practice of
turning under the green crop in the spring. They might prefer, as indeed
might others who would like to see their green manure nearer the top of
the soil, to disk in the green crop rather than bury it deeply with
mouldboard plows. They would of course follow it up with repeated
diskings until the time came for sowing another cover crop. This is,
however, entirely in line with Mr. Burgart's recommendations.

Pursuing this subject to its conclusion, we next asked: "_When young
trees failed to grow with you, what percentage of these failures was due
to_ ..." (various causes enumerated below)? The question was
misunderstood. Many evidently gave percentages of all trees planted.
Others, correctly, gave percentages merely of the trees which failed to
grow. As nearly as could be arrived at, about 30 percent of losses were
among trees that failed even to start; 40 percent failed from weak
growth the first year or two; 10 percent from failure to maintain later
growth; 16 percent were winter killed, and 3 or 4 percent died from
rodent or similar (mole, gopher, deer, bear) injury. It is evident that
by far the greatest losses were suffered within the first two years--not
less than seventy percent. Probably more. It would seem that two years
of intensive care should not be too burdensome a stint for a reward
which lasts a lifetime.

Rodent and similar injuries were no doubt kept low because of extra
protective care. Hardware cloth (galvanized wire 1/4" mesh, 24" high,
preferred) around each tree proved the most common and effective
preventive. Following this, in order of use, were: wrapping the trunks
(including wrappings of tar paper); mounding with earth or ashes; poison
bait, dogs and cats, clean cultivation; resinous paint; spray (with
Purdue formula mentioned); and, finally, hogs, against mice.

Anti-rodent treatments which proved injurious to trees were reported to
be; tar paper wrappings; coal tar washes; close-set creosoted posts; oil
sprays; "any paint"; any chemical to smear on trunks; rooting cement.
For those who are located in regions where deer are a