CHAP. CV. rORYLA V CE.i:. QUE'llCUS. 172? 



lobed or notched, while those of the mature tree are entire; and the contrary. 

 The greatest variations in point of form arc, perhaps, to be found in indivi- 

 duals of the group Nigne ; and the greatest in point of colour, in the group 

 Riibra?. As a painter's tree, valued for its picturesque effect, when near the 

 eye, no species equals the (^. pedunculata ; but for general effect, at a dis- 

 tance, at least in America, the American oaks, the leaves of which die off" 

 of a deep red or fine scarlet in autumn, exceed all others. As a botanist's 

 tree, perhaps Q. Cerris is the most interesting European species, from the 

 very great variety of forms which its leaves assume; and from their being, in 

 some varieties, persistent in a dried or withered state ; and in others, remaining 

 on green throughout the winter. The dwarf oaks, both of Europe and 

 America, are curious miniature trees or shrubs. Q. riex has many interesting 

 associations connected with it ; and Q. ^K'gilops, from its remarkable foliage 

 and calycanthus-like cups, is a most singular and beautiful tree. For the 

 purposes of naval or civil construction and tanning, no species is at all to 

 be compared with those belonging to the group Robur. 



Comparing the forms and outlines of oaks with the forms and outlines of 

 other trees, we shall find that they have greatly the advantage in point of 

 character and variety. The forms of all the pine and fir tribe, more especially 

 before they begin to decay, are monotonous ; and the same may be said even 

 of the forms of the cypress, the Lombardy poplar, and the weeping willow. 

 If we imagine ourselves in a forest of pines, firs, Lombardy poplars, or 

 weeping willows, it is easy to conceive the melancholy impression that the 

 scenery would produce on us ; and hence, perhaps, the suitableness of these, 

 and other uniform regular-headed trees, for cemeteries. But let us imagine 

 ourselves in a forest of oaks, either of one kind, or of several kinds ; and 

 how different will be the ideas that will arise in our minds, and the effect 

 that will be produced on our spirits ! Oaks, then, not only stand alone in 

 regard to the form of their leaves, and that of their fruit, but even, in a great 

 measure, as to their general shape. 



Soil, Situation, and Climate. The oaks, both of Europe and America, to attain 

 their full size, require a deep loamy soil, a situation low rather than elevated 

 and a climate not liable to late spring frosts. It is remarkable that, even in 

 countries where the oak is indigenous, both its blossoms and young leaves are 

 frequently injured by the frosts of spring. The oaks which flourish on the 

 worst soils are the low-growing kinds belonging to the section / v lex, and 

 some of the American oaks, especially those belonging to the group Phellos; 

 and those which require the best soil are, the Q. sessiliflora, the Q. Cerris, 

 and most of the sorts composing the American group Rubrae. In elevated 

 situations, or in the extreme north, those species which under favourable 

 circumstances form the most magnificent trees become, as in the case of every 

 other tree, mere shrubs. 



Propagation and Culture, Transport of Acorns, $c. The oak is propagated 

 with difficulty by every other mode except from seed ; and, generally, time will 

 be gained when the acorns are sown where the plants are intended finally to 

 remain. It is only, therefore, when peculiar varieties are to be continued, that 

 the process of grafting is resorted to ; and the mode by approach is almost the 

 only one that is certain of being attended with success. There are instances, 

 however, of whip-grafting succeeding with some species ; as, for example, with 

 Q. uber, Q. C'erris, and Q. C. Lucombewa. (See Gard. Mag. y vol. xii. 

 p. 698.) When any of the common methods of grafting is adopted, by far 

 the best stock is Q. Cerris ; on which, also, many of the sorts may be suc- 

 cessfully budded; a practice which, we are informed by M. Rosenthal, is 

 general in the Vienna nurseries. 



As the mode of raising oaks from the acorn is the same in all the species, 

 we shall here, once for all, give what we consider the necessary details. The 

 acorns need not be gathered from the tree, but may be collected from the 

 groupd immediately after they have dropped ; and, as in the case of other tree 

 seeds, they may be either sown then, or kept till the following spring. If they 



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