SESSILE-FRUITED OAK. 279 



be, we do not think the system can be profitably pursued 

 upon an extensive scale ; besides, it is now the less ne- 

 cessary, as by the application of steam and mechanical 

 means, timber can be bent and brought to almost any 

 form required. Among the various devices proposed, we 

 think those of Mr. Matthew best calculated to produce 

 the effect intended, and to his observations on this subject 

 contained in his able treatise on naval timber, Sec, we 

 refer our readers. 



In some parts of Scotland, and particularly in the high- 

 land districts, as well as in the west and north of England, 

 Oak coppice wood prevails to a considerable extent ; this 

 copse is the produce of the old stocks or stoves of former 

 Oak trees, or of such as have been planted for the express 

 purpose, and is cut over at various periods between the 

 ages of fifteen and thirty years, or according to the ra- 

 pidity of its growth, which depends greatly upon soil and 

 climate, as the shoots which, in the south of England, 

 and upon good soil attain a diameter of from four to 

 six inches in fifteen years, would, in the colder climate 

 of Scotland require twenty-five years or more to reach 

 the same dimensions. 



To the system of Oak coppice wood we are decidedly 

 opposed, and we most cordially agree in Mr. Matthew's 

 recommendation to the holders of such property, that " they 

 should immediately set about converting their coppice hags 

 into Oak forest, either by careful thinning and selection,'' 1 

 or by rooting out the old stoves, and replanting the ground 

 with Oak and other trees : no diminution or loss of income, 

 we are confident, would follow such a change ; on the 

 contrary, we believe that the return from such woods 

 thus replanted, would be greater even within the first 

 thirty years of their growth than can now be realized 



