13 
The first harvest is made when the trees are from 12 to 18 inches in 
circumference, and takes place usually from six to ten years after 
the first removal of the rough bark, which prepares the way for the 
development of the commercial article. The season for taking the 
bark is from the middle of June to the end of August. Operating 
earlier than the time of full sap should be avoided, also rainy days 
and violent and dry winds, in order that the tender bast may not suffer 
from the exposure. In gathering the bark a circular cut is made, taking 
care not to penetrate the layer subjacent to the mother layer; a similar 
circular cut should be made at the bottom of the tree, after which a 
vertical cut connects the two circular cuts, using the same precaution 
as before. (See Pl. 1II.) Commencing at the upper portion to open 
the incision with the edge of the hatchet, the layer of commercial cork 
is detached from the mother layer with the handle of the hatchet, the 
end of which is cut on a bevel for this purpose. (See Pl. I.) On 
arriving at the bottom of the tree the cork is detached by a sharp cut 
of the hatchet, the break being made at the level of the ground. When 
the trees are not more than 19 to 24 inches in circumference, the cork 
is taken off in one piece called a ‘‘cannon;” and when the trees are 
larger, in place of one longitudinal cut, two or three vertical incisions 
are made, so that the cork may be taken off in slabs; the portion of 
cork remaining on the bottom of the tree is called a sleeper, or heel; 
the presence on the stump of a certain number of these marks serves 
as a record of the number of gatherings of cork realized from the tree. 
The mother layer develops new cork by annual layers, and its age is 
therefore discernible, just as in the barks of other trees. (See Pl. IL.) 
It is allowed to grow until it has reached the thickness required in 
commerce, namely, about 1 inch, a thickness which in France takes at 
least six to ten years. The barking is a very simple operation in prin- 
‘ciple, but nevertheless requires great care and should never be intrusted 
to inexperienced workmen, for faults committed by them frequently 
cause the death of the tree. The barking can only take place when the 
tree is in Sap, as at this time the separation of the layers is more easily 
effected, and when the vegetation is not in full vigor there is great 
danger of detaching the mother cork. It is very necessary not to com- 
mence the operation of barking too early, the best period being when 
the first mounting of the sap has somewhat slackened and when the 
new leaves have achieved their development. The end of May is con- 
sidered the proper time in Algeria for the harvesting of the cork prod- 
uct, while in France, where vegetation is less forward, it is necessary 
to wait three or four weeks later. By the 23d of June the woods are 
full of activity, as when the work commences it is pushed forward in 
order to avoid the dry seasons and drying winds, which render the 
operation more difficult by retarding the flow of sap. This process of 
taking the commercial cork and removing part of the wild cork is 
repeated every six to ten years, until the heavy branches are reached. 
