42 Gilpin's forest scenery. 



picturesque that this noble plant is as useful as 

 it is beautiful. From the utility of the Oak they 

 derive this advantage, that it is everywhere found. 

 In the choice, indeed, of its soil it is rather 

 delicate. For though it is rather undistinguishing 

 during its early growth, while its horizontal fibres 

 straggle about the surface of the earth, yet, when 

 its tap-root begins to enter the depths of the soil, 

 perhaps no tree is nicer in its discriminations. If 

 its constitution be not suited here, it may multiply 

 its progeny indeed and produce a thriving copse ; 

 but the puny race will never rise to lordly dignity 

 in the forest, nor furnish navies to command the 

 ocean.* 



* How quickly the Oak tegetates in a soil it likes, may be 

 seen from the following instance : — An acorn was sown at 

 Beckett, the seat of Lord Barrington, on the day of his birth 

 in 1717. Tn IN'ovemher, 1790, it contained 95 feet of timber, 

 which at 2s, per foot would sell for 91. 10s. The top was valued 

 at about 11. 15s. The girth, at 5 feet from the ground, was about 

 half an inch more than 8 feet. The increase of girth, in the two 

 last years, was 4 inches and a half. It grows in rich land, 

 worth 11. 5s. an acre. [The present Viscount Barrington informs 

 us that this tree, known as the ' King's Oak,' is still living, and 

 has ' a fine straight stem : ' and that its girth, as ascertained by 

 the Eev. G. W. Murray, Vicar of Shrivenham, was, on May 27, 

 1879, 13 feet at 5 feet from the ground.— Eo.] 



