838 
in width, and from three to six feet 
in depth, according to the closeness 
and tenacity of the soil. If grass 
ground, the first spit. should be 
placed at the bottom of the trench ; 
and, if more than one trench be 
necessary, they should be prepared 
in the same manner, preserving a 
distance of ten yards between each, 
if it be intended to employ the in- 
termediate space in underwood, or 
for any other purpose, 
Having made a careful selection 
of acorns that are perfeéily sound, 
and in good preservation, they are 
to be planted about the middle of 
March. Draw a drill in the centre 
of the trench, two inches in depth, 
if the soil be heavy and loamy, but 
three inches in a light and sandy 
earth ; in this plant the acorns two 
inches asunder, and cover them 
carefully with mould. When the 
plants appear, they must be weeded 
by hand in the rows, and the 
earth of the trench round them 
cleaned with a hoe, once a month, 
during the summer. In October 
inspect the rows and thin them, by 
pulling up every other plant: atten- 
tion will, of course, be paid to re- 
move the weak and crooked plants, 
and leave those that are tallest and 
Straightest. On the second year, 
the operation of thinning must be 
repeated at the same time, and in 
the same manner; and, should any 
of the remaining plants have made 
side shoots, stronger than the genc.- 
yal chara¢ter, they must be smooth. 
Jy cut off with a sharp knife, close 
to the leading stem. On the third 
year, the thinning is repeated, and 
the general pruning commenced, by 
cutting off close to the leading stem, 
all the side shoots of the first year ; 
thus leaving the branches of two 
years to form the head of the fol. 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1803. 
lowing year. The removal of every 
alternate plant must be continued 
yearly, till the trees are about thirty 
feet apart, at which distance they 
may remain for timber. The prun- 
ing is to be continued, by removing, 
every year, very smooth and close 
to the main stem, one year’s growth 
of side branches, till the plants are 
arrived,at a stem forty, fifty, or sixty 
feet, and they may then be permit- 
ted to run: to head without farther 
pruning. 
The particular arrangement here 
recommended, may be varied ac- 
cording to any peculiarities of situ- 
ation, regard being constantly had 
to the general and most important 
principle of loosening the ground 
(very deep) previously to planting 
the acorns. By this mode of cul- 
ture, oaks may be raised in almost 
any soil; but, where it is possible, 
a loam or marl is always to be cho- 
sen. Oaks thrive much the best in 
such earth, and when assisted by 
deep trenching and judicious prun- 
ing, attain, in a few years, to an 
immense size. 
Those who have been accustomed 
to notice the slow growth and stwnt- 
ed appearance of oak trees, when 
denied the assistance of art, and left 
to themselves in the common way, 
would observe, with astonishment, 
the vigorous and rapid increase of 
plants under the management now 
pointed out. 
The plants thinned out the first 
three or four years, though not fit 
to be depended upon for timber, as 
transplanting generally injures very 
materially the future growth, may 
be replanted in the intermediate 
spaces, between the rows, for the 
purpose of being afterwards re~ 
moved; or they may be usefully 
placed in hedges, or other spare and 
unoccupied 
