£26 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF OAK. 



frosts. For the sake, however, of those who have 

 plantations of these trees in a state of farther ad- 

 vancement, it is proper to remark, that the oaks will 

 answer whatever be the height of the nurses, pro- 

 vided their branches have not become so close as to 

 shut out the air from above. This can always be 

 remedied by thinning, an operation which a planta- 

 tion, in this state, always requires for its own sake, 

 independently of other considerations. 



Some places occur which afford natural shelter. 

 Such, for example, are deep ravines, valleys sur- 

 rounded by high mountains, and the steep banks of 

 rivulets and streams. In situations of this kind, 

 oaks may be planted successfully without being at 

 the trouble of first rearing other trees to nurse them. 

 A deep cover of furze or broom makes likewise an 

 excellent shelter, till the young trees are so far ad- 

 vanced as to be a safeguard to one another. The 

 planting of oak on ground so covered is a practice 

 much to be recommended. 



Having said thus much on shelter, I now proceed 

 to discuss the method of planting, or, to speak more 

 correctly, of sowing ; for, in order to avoid the fatal 

 consequences of transplantation, the seeds or acorns 

 are to be put into the ground instead of young 

 plants. "For the reception of the acorns then, let 



