BERKELEY, CAUFOftNIA 



xvii.] TURKEY AND AUSTRIAN OAK. 101 



quantities of Oak spread over the slopes of the 

 mountains, and in the district betwefcri th& rivers> VeVBa's 

 and Okrina. 



The Oaks seen over this wide range were chiefly of 

 the Quercus sessiliflora species, but mixed occasionally 

 with the Quercus Cerris; they were all of straight growth, 

 with long clean stems, and generally of good quality, 

 but varying considerably in this respect according as the 

 situation and soil were favourable or otherwise to the 

 development of their character. There is, however, 

 good reason to believe that by selecting from the best 

 description of Oak trees in the districts I have named, 

 very large and valuable supplies might be obtained ; but 

 at the time spoken of no attempt had been made to fell 

 them for the many purposes for which their quality and 

 size would render them available. The principal, and 

 almost the only use hitherto made of any of these noble 

 trees, is to cut them down and cleave them into staves 

 for casks. 



Bordering close upon the east side of Bosnia, but in 

 the State of Servia, there are immense forests of Oak. 

 These, however, I was unable to penetrate, owing to the 

 lateness of the season and unfavourable state of the 

 weather. 



Hungary also possesses large forests of Oak, stretch- 

 ing from Resnek and. Kaniza to the Danube. These 

 again might undoubtedly be worked with great advan- 

 tage, the trees being mostly of good quality, and 

 remarkable for their straight growth and noble dimen- 

 sions. In Styria could be found only a scanty stock of 

 Oak, the forests having been exhausted some few years 

 prior to the date of my visit. New supplies are, however* 

 springing up, and ere long a very valuable property in 

 this description of timber will be found there. 



