174 REARING UP AND THINNING 



sheltered nursery ; but in no other ease is it 

 necessary. 



The third system of rearing the oak when in 

 its young state, as formerly mentioned, is that of 

 planting the young trees in pits, as is usually done, 

 and afterwards allowing each to come away in its 

 own natural way. 



This is the system practised in all moderately 

 sheltered districts, for the planting of oaks as well 

 as all other sorts of young trees, and need not be 

 enlarged upon here. I may mention, however, 

 that in all moderately sheltered districts, young 

 trees of any sort receive very little check from 

 being transplanted, if they are not above four feet 

 high, and if the soil is one adapted for the growth 

 of the trees planted, and the work carefully and 

 properly done ; but if the soil be not of first-rate 

 quality, and the situation one much exposed, the 

 trees always receive a violent check, and, con- 

 sequently, the bark upon the young trees becomes 

 hide-bound, and will not carry on its natural 

 functions; but the roots being as healthy as for- 

 merly, they, when the old tops are gone, send 

 up young shoots to supply the place of the for- 

 mer, which, as they grow up, become habituated 

 to the climate and situation, and consequently form 

 trees adapted to it. Therefore the planter, when 

 he meditates to bring up a plantation of young- 

 oaks, or other hard-wood, must judge for himself 



