62 ROSACEA. 



storms, as is constantly the case where trees with a more 

 flexible or easily agitated spray are introduced. It has also 

 this further recommendation as a nurse to the oak, that, 

 although a quick growing plant while young, and fulfilling 

 the duty of a protector, it naturally yields to the tree it 

 has fostered after the first twenty or thirty years of its 

 growth, and is afterwards content to vegetate beneath its 

 shade, rendering it even as a mere neighbour the least dan- 

 gerous to oaks in cases of neglect, or where regular thin- 

 ning has not been duly administered. On account of these 

 qualities, we recommend it to be freely introduced as a 

 subsidiary to the oak in all plantations where the soil is of 

 tolerable quality ; in such it soon begins to make a return, 

 and becomes fit for a variety of purposes. The first thin- 

 ning, which may take place about the fifth or sixth year 

 after planting, will afford good corf and crate rods, hoops, 

 &c. ; the second, two or three years afterwards, clean 

 straight poles, fit for the hop-yard, or small railing ; after 

 this, it furnishes railing of a larger size, and posts which 

 have been found to be very durable. Such of the trees as 

 are allowed to attain a greater age, say twenty-five or 

 thirty years, acquire size sufficient for gate-posts, barrel 

 staves, and other uses which will repay the planter for 

 its occupancy, and this without injury to the oaks which 

 are intended to remain as the final crop. 



By producing suckers in abundance, it also furnishes a 

 plantation with a profitable underwood, which may be cut 

 over every five, six, ten, or more years, according to the 

 purposes to which it is meant to be applied. This sucker- 

 bearing propensity also renders it an eligible tree for narrow 

 belts of plantation, as it furnishes an underwood without 

 trouble or expense ; and in those cases (unfortunately of 

 too frequent occurrence) where thinning has been too long 



