THE OAK. 239 



to the common Oak, in point of magnitude and other 

 properties, is the Quercus cerris, Turkey Oak. This tree 

 we are disposed to admit within the limits of our volume, 

 not only on account of its ornamental qualities, which 

 are considerable, but from a wish, if possible, to encourage 

 its' culture on an extended scale ; being convinced, from 

 the observations we have made, that it is a tree better 

 calculated, from its rapid growth, and the nature of its 

 timber, to repay the planter, than many others we are 

 in the habit of introducing into our mixed plantations. 



Of the evergreen or Ilex division, the common evergreen 

 Oak, Quer. Ilex, a native of the southern parts of Europe, 

 is the only one that has been planted to any extent, or 

 that seems able to bear the vicissitudes of onr climate, 

 and to attain the dimensions of a second-rate tree. Its 

 culture, however, is likely to be always restricted to orna- 

 mental purposes, as it is of too slow a growth and inferior 

 a size to make it an object of profitable speculation to the 

 planter ; and its wood, though hard and durable, is very 

 liable to split and crack in drying. 



Of the various North-American Oaks, many are dis- 

 tinguished for the beauty of their foliage, particularly 

 those whose leaves in Autumn become of a rich red, or 

 scarlet tint ; their timber, however, is open in texture, 

 and generally very inferior to that of our own species, 

 or even to that of Quer. cerris, with the exception of 

 Quer. alba and Quer. virens, two species highly valued 

 for naval purposes in America, but neither of which are 

 likely to succeed in this climate ; the introduction, there- 

 fore, of the American Oaks, is likely to continue on a 

 limited scale, and more for the variety and ornament 

 their foliage produces in our pleasure-grounds, than from 

 any expectation of profit from the timber they produce. 



