THE NURSERY, 271 



from injuring the trees, that it is of real service ; for when it is not 

 taken off, they seldom last longer than fifty or sixty years in 

 health ; whereas trees which are barked every eight or ten years, 

 will live 150, or more. The bark of a young tree is porous and 

 good for little ; however, it is useful to take it off when the trees 

 are twelve or fifteen years old ; for without this, it will never be 

 good. After eight or ten years, the bark will be fit to take off 

 again ; but the second peeling is of little use. At the third peel- 

 ing, it will be in perfection, and continue so for upwards of 150 

 years ; for the best cork is taken from old trees. The time for 

 stripping is in July, or early in August, or when the second sap 

 flows plentifully : the operation is performed by slitting it down on 

 one side, raising the edges, and then it will peel off readily. 



Having procured the acorns in good condition, they are to be 

 treated in every respect as directed for other kinds of oak, in page 

 263 ; but if they are planted at once where intended to remain 

 for full growth, it will be much the best way ; in which case, par- 

 ticular care must be taken to keep them free from weeds during 

 their infant state, and to protect them from the annoyance of cattle, 

 till grown out of their reach. The sooner the acorns are planted 

 after having been procured, the better, for when long kept in a dry 

 state, they loose their vegetating power, like every other kind of 

 oak. 



Curse them ! exclaims the peevish planter, I shall never live to 

 cork a bottle with them. Have patience, good sir, you have no ob- 

 jection to throw by a few dollars, in an iron chest, for posterity, 

 never to come in contact with the light of the sun, during your ex- 

 istence ; and which will always be depriciating in value, as the 

 circulation of paper currency increases, and from several other cir- 

 cumstances ; a few of which, if laid out on^ planting cork-trees, 

 would be rapidly accumulating wealth for your children, and ren- 

 dering a real service to your country : besides, every day you walked 

 out, you would have the pleasure of beholding your little family of 

 trees, prospering in health and beauty, humbling their boughs be- 

 fore you, and in their silent language returning you grateful thanks 

 for your fostering care, and promising to reward your offspring for 

 the friendly protection which you afforded them in their minor 

 days. 



Tanner 9 8 Sumack. 



The Rhus Coriaria, or elm leaved Sumack, is a plant which should 

 be introduced and cultivated, particularly in the southern states, 

 where it will prosper in great perfection. It grows naturally in 

 Italy, Spain, the south of France, the Levant, about Aleppo, Rama, 

 and near Algiers, in Africa. The branches are used instead of oak 

 bark, for tanning leather ; but the great and particular necessity of 

 its introduction into the United States is, that without it our tanners, 

 which are both numerous and industrious, cannot manufacture what 

 is called Turkey or Morocco leather, in good perfection : for it is 

 with this plant exclusively, that that valuable article is tanned in the 



