readily run off, and insert the scions preferably at the upper extremity
of the cut. Such an oblique cut normally heals quicker and better on
shade trees than a transverse cut, particularly if a vigorous young
sprout is left at the peak of the cut. I am quite certain the same
statement will hold true with scions of nut trees placed at the peak of
the oblique cut.

After decay _has started_, I would suggest--

(1) Cut out all the decayed woody matter, preferably from one side, so
that a free and easy drainage of the wound may result. If necessary,
when several scions have been placed around the stub, sacrifice one of
the grafts and make a rather long oblique cut or groove from which all
decayed matter has been removed. Use shellac, liquid grafting wax or
melted paraffine over the cut bark, cambium and adjoining sapwood
immediately after the final cut is made.

(2) Cover the entire wound with some good preparation to keep out
disease germs and water. Preferably use for a covering such materials as
will be more or less permanent and which have been found by practical
experience to be least injurious and most effective on the particular
nut tree that you are treating.

(3) Keep the wound thoroughly painted or covered at all times until it
is completely sealed over by a new growth of callus.

(4) If the top-working was originally done in such a manner that the
removal of all the decay results in a cavity that cannot be properly
drained, it is advisable to fill the cavity with some waterproofing and
antiseptic material in order to prevent it holding water and also to
assist the cambium in covering the wound. The cavity must first be
treated in accordance with approved tree surgery practices. In shade
tree work, quite a variety of substances have been used to fill cavities
with more or less success; e. g., wood blocks and strips, asphalt and
sawdust, asphalt and sand, clear coal tar, clear asphalt, elastic
cement, magnesian cement, Roman (or Portland) cement, etc. Of these only
two--wooden blocks and Portland cement, have been in general use more
than a few years. Blocks of wood were used in France to fill cavities
more than 60 years ago, and in this country to some extent about 50
years ago. Later, Portland cement was used in preference to wood for
fillings, probably mainly because it was more easily handled. To us of
the present generation, Portland cement in combination with sand is the
one material that seems to have