CULTIVATION ©F OAKS. 1^ 



hera propofed^ it is conceived that trees, of at leaft double doubled m half 

 M/« mtfg;«7MC?tf, may be obtained in about half that time. -' 



It is not ray intention to attempt a proof of this propofition 

 by theoretical deductions, but to appeal for its confirmation to 

 the indubitable teft of fad, which, from the event of repeated 

 trials, imprefles a convi6lion, that experience will be found 

 to fupport and eftablifli it in the moft unequivocal manner. 



It would be eafy to enlarge much on the various qualities of 

 foil, the nature and procefs of vegetation, and the peculiar 

 properties of the oak ; but as thefe topics may be found amply 

 and judicioufly difcufled in many other authors, who have ex- 

 prefsly treated on thefe fubjeds, I fliall decline all fuch fpe- 

 culations: and, with the hope of being more eflentially ufeful, 

 lliall confine myfelf to a ftatement as fimple and practical as 

 poffible. 



The oak, in the progrefs of its growth, fpreads numerous It is of the ut- 



roots near the furface of the ground, and in an horizontal di- "J^^ jmportance 



o ' _ ^ that the perpea- 



reftion : thefe affift in fupporting and preferving the tree in its dicular or tap 



pofition, but feem to contribute very little to its increafe and J'^^^^^ P"^^" 

 magnitude. The oak appears to derive its chief nutriment and 

 ftrength from a root that always defcends at right angles to the 

 horizon, and is called the tap-root. The firft thing, therefore, 

 to beobferved is, that upon a judicious attention to this pecu- 

 liarity, the planter's fuccefs principally depends; and the 

 negled of this care is the conftant fource of error and difap- 

 pointment. In all climates, and upon all foils, to preferve 

 this tap-root from injury, and as much as poffible to affift its 

 growth, is a general, and indeed the moft eflential principle 

 in the cultivation of oak. With a due regard to this circum- 

 ftance, the management of a plantation may be refolved into 

 the three following pra6lical dire6lions : 



Premoiijly to planting the acorns, loofen the earth intended Inftruftlons f<» 

 for their reception, by deep trenching, ^roujid"^ d^ 



Never travjplant, or in any way difturb, the faplings in- planting acorns, 

 tended for timber. 



Keep the plant carefully pruned, till arrived at a proper 

 height. 



More fully to elucidate the fubjed, and to prevent the pof- 

 fibility of mifapprehenfion, it may be proper to give a more 

 detailed ftatement, 



C 2 In 



