PLANTING, 137 



timber without afterwards being headed down, 

 to cause them to push a stronger stem. 



And it is a happy circumstance, that by 

 simply heading down, and previously tapping 

 in the nursery, planted Oaks, in most cases, 

 come little short of sown ones. For, it is 

 frequently very difficult to rear a field of 

 sown Oaks ; the seed being so much a prey 

 to mice and other vermin. 



However, that the planter may have it in 

 his choice, and be enabled to take advantage 

 of every favourable circumstance, I will 

 briefly set forth my own practice of sowing 

 acorns among planted timber of all kinds, 

 and of which the Oak made a part. For I 

 hold it advisable, in order to rear this valu- 

 able tree, that both methods be practised in 

 the same field, provided well ripened, heal- 

 thy seed can be procured. 



The acorns may either be sown the second 

 or the third season, after the field has been 

 planted. 



This is advisable, first, that the planted 

 trees may be established in the soil, and begin 

 to afford shelter to the sown ones as they 

 rise ; and secondly, that, as many of the 



