116 THE FOREST TREE CULTURIST. 
38; others are larger, and about half the nut inclosed in 
a cup, as in fig. 39; while in one species of Dwarf Oak 
the nut is almost entirely enveloped, as shown in fig. 40. 
Fig. 38. Fig. 39. Fig. 40. 
Taking these and the intermediate forms, and with the as- 
sistance of the leaves, we are able to determine which are 
distinct species without examining the other characteristics 
very minutely. 
Quercus ALBA ( White Oak).—Leaves obovate oblong, 
bright green when mature, cut into three to nine moder- 
ately deep, roundish lobes, as shown in fig. 37 page 115; 
acorn oblong, set in a rough saucer-shaped cup, see fig. 39. 
Acorns are variable in flavor—sometimes sweet and quite 
good, in others bitter, or almost tasteless. The bark on 
young trees is rough, but not furrowed, becoming some- 
what scaly on old trees; color grayish white; wood light 
color, very tough and valuable. The White Oak is rather 
a slow grower, but the wood is so valuable that it deserves 
to be extensively planted. Take away the White Oak and 
White Ash, and American farm implements would lose 
two of the most valuable materials which enter into their 
composition. It requires a deep, rich, and dry soil to pro- 
duce timber of the best quality. 
Qurrcus oprustLoBa (Post Oak).—Leaves five to six 
inches long, with five to seven roundish lobes, and wide, 
