554 ON USEFUL AND BOOK I. 



pared, and it is desirable to raise oaks, it will be found prefer- 

 able to sow acorns ; which may be done at one fifth the ex- 

 pense of planting; and they will turn to advantage, either as 

 timber or undergrowth, much sooner. As oak is a peculiarly 

 valuable tree, both for its bark and timber, it should be uni- 

 versally planted ; and were this mode attended to, it would be 

 a saving, even in the first instance, of from £3. to <£6. each 

 acre, which, to gentlemen who plant extensively, would be of 

 considerable importance. 



With respect to the mode of performing the operation, acorns 

 should be sown either in drills or broadcast, and in autumn. 

 Where any other species is intended to be grown among them, 

 they may be ploughed in, or, if these are the ash, beech, or 

 elm, they should be sown the following spring. In small 

 plantations, where the plough cannot be used in sowing, tree- 

 seeds may be inserted either with a spade,, hoe, or planting in- 

 strument. Acorns, and other tree-seeds, as ash and maple 

 keys, beech mast, and Scotch fir seed, have been sown or 

 planted where they were finally to remain, under my direc- 

 tion, at Scone, Bargany, Leughie, Mountwhannie, Linkhouse^ 

 Prinknash, and several other places. 



