USEFUL PROJECTS. 
strongly, to state, that the oak may 
be rendered very rapid inits growth, 
and that, consequently, land may be 
employed to great advantage in its 
cultivation ; as a very considerable 
and profitable produce may, in a 
much shorter time than is generally 
supposed, be derived from proper 
parts of an estate thus employed. 
Oak timber in this country, for 
the most part, appears in trees ofa 
considerable extent of head, but 
seldom more than twenty or thirty 
feet in stem ; and this, in many in- 
stances, the growth of a century. 
Now, by the course of management 
here proposed, it is conceived that 
trees, of at least double this mag- 
nitude, may be obtained in half that 
_ time. 
It is not my intention to attempt 
a proof of this proposition by theo- 
retical deduétions, but to appeal for 
its confirmation to the indubitable 
test of faét, which, from the event 
of repeated trials, impresses a con- 
viétion that experience will be found 
to support and establish it in the 
most unequivocal manner. 
It would be easy to enlarge much 
on the various qualities of soil, the 
nature and process of vegetation, 
and the peculiar properties of the 
oak ; but as these topics may be 
found amply and judiciously dis- 
cussed in many other authors, wha 
have expressly treated on these sub- 
jects, I shall decline all such specu- 
Jations; and, with the hope of be- 
ing more essentially useful, shall 
¢onfine myself to a statement as 
simple and praéticable as possible. 
The oak, in the progress of its 
growth, spreads numerous roots 
near the surface of the ground, and 
in an horizontal direction ; these as- 
sist in supporting and preserving the 
free in its position, but seem to, 
; 
857 
contribute very little to its increase 
in magnitude. The oak appears to 
derive its chief nutriment and 
strength from a root which always 
descends at a right angle to the ho- 
rizon, and is called the tap root. > 
The first thing, therefore, to be 
observed is, that, upon a judicious 
attention to this peculiarity, the 
planters success principally depends ; 
and the negleét of this care is the 
constant source of error and disap. 
pointment. In all climates, and 
upon all soils, to preserve this tap 
root from injury; and as much as 
possible to assist its growth, is a ge- 
neral, and, indeed, the most essen- 
tial principle in the cultivation of 
oak. With a due regard to this 
circumstance, the management of a 
plantation may be resolved into 
the three following practical direc- 
tions : 
Previously to planting the acorns, 
loosen the earth intended for their 
reception by deep trenching. 
Never transplant, or in any way 
disturb, the saplings intended for 
timber. And 
Keep the plant carefully pruned, 
till arrived at a proper height. 
More fully to elucidate the sub- 
jeét, and to prevent the possibility 
of misapprehension, it may be pro- 
per to give a more detailed state- 
ment, 
In determining on a spot to form 
a plantation of oaks for timber, it 
must always be recollected that the 
plants are to remain without re- 
moval in their first situation: the 
clearing and fencing may then be at- 
tended to as usual ; and in the course 
of the winter, from September to, 
March, the particular spots intend- 
ed for the reception of the acorns, 
may be prepared for that purpose, 
by digging a trench about three feet 
3H 3 ; in 
