150 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



established in the soil, go over the field, and 

 head down, to within two inches of the sur- 

 face, every Oak of the above description ; 

 making clean wounds with a sharp knife. 

 Such plants as have a good leader, and clean 

 smooth stem, are not to be touched ; and 

 most of the sown Oaks will come under this 

 description. The season for performing this 

 operation, is November or March. 



The plants thus treated will push vigo- 

 rously the ensuing season ; and about mid- 

 summer, they should be looked over, and 

 divested of all but two of the strongest shoots, 

 by simply rubbing off the others with the 

 finger. Two shoots are retained, in case of 

 accidents, until March following ; at which 

 time, the weakest, and also any other trifling 

 ones that may have issued in consequence of 

 rubbing off those in the preceding summer, 

 are to be lopped clean off by the stem. 



At midsummer next following, the plants 

 are again to be looked over ; and whatever 

 spray may have issued from the incisions, 

 displace with the finger. 



Henceforth, the plants will require no 

 more attention on this score, but will be- 



