290 



AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



Polynesia each, two ; Australia, one ; while North Amer- 

 ica has 40, and the United States alone over 20. 



The Oak, of which Fig. 65 affords a splendid specimen, is 

 one of the most magnificent, as it is 

 one of the longest-lived of the forest 

 tribes. It is to be regretted that many 

 of the species are so slow of growth, 

 that they seldom tempt their cultiva- 

 tion by the utilitarian of this country, 

 who looks only to the speedy enjoy- 

 ment of In's labor. Many of those 

 FIG. 65. which have descended to us from pre- 



ceding generations, combine much of the beauty, and all of 

 the grandeur we can expect in a shade tree. 



The Black Oak (Fig. 66), on soil adapted to it, is a tree 

 of commanding beauty and stalwart growth. 

 The foliage appears late, but is unsurpassed 

 for depth and richness of color, and highly- 

 polished surface ; and it retains its summer 

 green, long after the early frosts have mot- 

 tled the ash, and streaked the maple with 

 their rainbow hues. When grown on dry 

 and open land, both fuel and timber are 

 FIB. 6G. firm, compact and lasting. 

 The Pin Oak (Figs. 67 and 68), of which two speci- 

 mens are given, grows 

 rapidly and with great 

 beauty, when transplanted 

 into an open space. It af- 

 fords a timber of great 

 strength and excellence. 

 Some others of our nor- 

 thern oaks yield a fine 



FIG. 67. FIG. es. shade, and good timber 



and fuel when grown in open grounds. 



The Live Oak (Fig. 69) often flourishes as far as 35. 

 north ; but is not found in perfection north of 

 Louisiana. It grows rapidly, and assumes a 

 great variety of shapes in its earlier growth, 

 jP but most frequently appears as in Fig. 69 

 Sometimes, though rarely, it branches stiffly 

 upwards like the ash ; occasionally it is 

 seen dipping its long, drooping boughs into 

 the water, some- feet below the surface of 

 FIG. 69. the bank which supports its roots; ajid 



