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Quercus siiber. CORK TREE. 



This is the tree that yields the cork of commerce. It is 

 an evergreen Oak bearing acorns similar to the common 

 Oak. Persistent efforts have been made to propagate and 

 plant this valuable tree, but with somewhat varied success. 

 Individual trees in well watered gardens grow well, but 

 when large quantities are raised, numbers die off for no 

 apparent reason ; and the tree is rarely a strong grower. 



In S. Africa it does not seem able to stand drought. 

 The only really fine specimens are found at Clare mont, &c., 

 where there is a good rainfall or where they are well 

 irrigated. An avenue of trees in the Worcester plantation 

 about 30 ft. high is gradually dying off, it is difficult to say 

 whether from drought or the attacks of the common black 

 ant. 



In Europe it grows on any s >il, and from Gascony down 

 to the extreme south of Europe (in a climate hotter than 

 most parts of Cape Colony) : it is found in abundance in 

 the forests of North Africa. In the soft climate of 

 Madeira it grows luxuriantly near sea-level, and it occurs 

 on the high plateau of central Spain here the severe 

 climate is the counterpart of our Karroo. 



It ought to be hardy everywhere in Cape Colony, but is 

 not; and tree-planters should go to work cautiously, 

 planting a few trees here and there to see how it succeeds. 



And this also should be remembered, that in A Igeria there 

 are enormous natural forests of Cork-oak that are gradually 

 being put in order by the French Forest Department. 

 When these Algerian Cork forests come into full bearing 

 it will be hopeless to expect adequate returns from any 

 Cork-oak plantation in S. Africa. The Cork-oak is an ever- 

 green, and cannot be easily transplanted like the common 

 Oak. It is raised like other evergreen trees from the acorns. 

 50 ordinary-sized acorns go to the Ib. 



RobiJiia pseudaeacia. MOCK-ACACIA. 



A leaf-shedder, This tree is cultivated in Europe for its 

 Acacia-like appearance and its hard wood. Here near the 



