NEW METHOD OF REARING OAK. 



233 



the ground. They may be then pulled up by the 

 hand without the least injury to those that remain, 

 which would not be the case were a spade or any 

 large tool used to slacken them. Cutting above the 

 surface would not answer, as the plants would grow 

 anew ; so that the operation, instead of being finish- 

 ed at once, would require to be repeated every year. 

 The method I have recommended will, of course, 

 render the plants taken up useless ; but this is of 

 no importance, if it is admitted, according to what 

 has been said, that oaks ought never to be trans- 

 planted, but raised wherever they are required im- 

 mediately from acorns. One man will be able to 

 clear away all the unnecessary plants in the manner 

 here proposed, from several acres in a day. 



At the same time that this work is performed, 

 notice must be taken that the nurses have in no 

 instance extended their branches so far, since the 

 oaks were planted, as to interfere with the latter. 

 Wherever this is the case, the offending tree, whe- 

 ther Scots fir or larch, must be immediately cut 

 down. This is to be done as often as is necessary, 

 which will not be above once every two or three 

 years. It has been already stated that, if the lower 

 tier of branches does not touch nor overshadow the 

 oaks, there is no use for thinning, as more air than 



