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CHAPTER VIII. 



ON THE CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 

 OF OAK. 



SECTION I. 



OPINION THAT THE SOIL AND CLIMATE OF SCOT- 

 LAND ARE NOT CALCULATED FOll THE PRODUC- 

 TION OF OAK, EXAMINED AND REFUTED. 



That the oak will uoi thrive in Scotland, is an 

 opinion, which has, for some time, been pretty ge- 

 nerally entertained, and which, instead of declining, 

 seems at the present day to he gaining strength, 

 and becoming more prevalent. It is pretended, 

 that, in the nature of our climate, or in the qualities 

 of our soil, or in both, certain principles exist hos- 

 tile to the growth of oak, and that as we possess no 

 controul over these principles, the most valuable of 

 all forest trees can never with us be advantageous- 

 ly cultivated. Sentiments of this description are 

 not only common among nurserymen and profes- 

 sional planters, but seem to be gaining ground 



