68 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



after a new sprout from near the earth starts forth, and that this 

 process of nature is only seconded by art when the top of the 

 seedling oak, whether in the field or in the nursery, is taken 

 away to facilitate a better-shaped and more vigorous growth. 

 I have witnessed this process in multiplied instances, not only 

 in the oak but in many other forest trees. Very few exceptions, 

 it is apprehended, can be found among the young seedlings 

 which spring in the shade, produced from whatever cause, and 

 not many even in highly cultivated nurseries, even where the 

 young plant stands fully exposed to the brightness of day. I 

 have raised a great many forest trees of different kinds. I 

 have in my nurseries but few which I supposed would not be 

 improved by removing the top after having attained the age of 

 three or four years. I have sometimes judged it necessary to 

 subject them to a second, and, in some instances, to a third pro- 

 cess. And I cannot believe, from present appearances, that 

 those who in future will be benefited by them, will find, in 

 consequence of this, that they have lost in the compactness of 

 the wood, strength or durability. I wish a fair experiment 

 could be made. In this way only can the question be fully 

 settled. I know well that it must require many years for a 

 plantation put out for this purpose to mature — more indeed 

 than any of the present generation may live to enjoy; but 

 there will come other generations, who would be great gainers 

 from such an establishment, who, without our forethought, 

 would be left nearly or quite as uncertain as we are, and who 

 could no more see the results of their efforts, than we can ours. 

 As things are, the fathers must labor, and their children, or 

 children's children, must reap the benefits of their labor. 



How long it takes an oak to reach its ordinary growth, I do 

 not know that there are enough well-attested facts, certainly I 

 have them not in my possession, to justify me to speak with 

 definiteness. The subject is an important and interesting one, 

 and there is scarcely reason to doubt that, should one devote a 

 little time, he might obtain much useful information. There 

 must be many trees of no inconsiderable age and size in the 

 county, whose springing up must be known and remembered by 

 the aged of the present generation, or handed down from the 



