88 LONDON TREES 



esting tree can survive and attain to large dimen- 

 sions. 



The timber of the British Oak is justly appreciated 

 for its quality and lasting properties. That of the 

 Turkish is also worthy of attention, and long resists 

 exposure to drought and damp. The acorns are 

 valuable as food for deer and pigs. 



The Common and Turkey Oaks are propagated 

 from acorns, which are produced plentifully, while 

 some of the varieties are got up by grafting or budding. 

 Usually the acorns are ripe about the beginning of 

 November, when they should be collected, and either 

 sown at once or kept till the following spring. Being 

 apt to lose in germinative capacity, the acorns should 

 be carefully stored in order to prevent heating, which 

 can best be ensured by keeping them in a dry, cool loft, 

 where they should be regularly turned and kept free 

 from damp until wanted for sowing. In the seed 

 beds the acorns should be planted at a distance apart 

 of six inches and buried to a depth of fully two inches. 

 The young plants appear in May, and should be kept 

 clear of weeds, and after the first year transplanted 

 into lines in the nursery border. 



Osage Orange or Bowood 



(Madura aurantiacd) 



IN several London parks and gardens this interest- 

 ing tree, which was introduced in 1818, thrives 

 well and has attained goodly proportions. In Batter- 

 sea Park may be seen a healthy, well-grown tree of 

 this kind which has attained to fully 20 feet in height, 

 the stem girthing 22 inches at a yard up. 



