224 CULTURE x\ND MANAGEMENT OF OAK. 



injuring the crop, which is usually dry before the sun 

 appears in the south-east ; for the clanger is over as 

 soon as the moisture of the night is dried up."— 

 (Agricultural Survey of AherdeeriHhire.) 



If we wish, then, to preserve oaks from frost, we 

 can do nothing better than shade them from the 

 morning sun. This we cannot do more effectually 

 than by planting them, as above directed, among 

 trees that have already made some progress. By 

 such management, the rays of the sun will not touch 

 them till he has risen a considerable height above 

 the horizon, and thus time will be allowed for the 

 frost to dissipate, and the night-damps to evaporate, 

 by a slow and gradual process, so that the pernicious 

 consequences arising to the young oaks from a sud- 

 den change of temperature, will be entirely prevent- 

 ed. It is not too much to say, that a plantation of 

 young oaks thus sheltered from the outset will 

 make more progress in five than an unsheltered 

 one will do in ten years. 



The plan here proposed may at first sight seem 

 objectionable, on account of the expense ; but a 

 little reflection will demonstrate, that a proprietor, 

 instead of incurring loss by pursuing it, will realise 

 a very considerable profit. Two thousand of the 

 Scots firs and larches may be allowed to remain, not 



