258 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF OAK. 



make less progress in growing. Seco7idly, if coppice 

 has been repeatedly cut, and the stumps left of a 

 considerable length each time, the stools not only- 

 become greatly disfigured, but no new roots being 

 formed, the old ones grow weak with age, and at 

 last totally decay. Thirdly, When shoots spring 

 out from the old stool, at the distance of several 

 inches from the ground, they are very liable to be 

 broken off by great falls of snow, and a variety of 

 other causes, which have comparatively little power 

 over them when they strike root in the earth. 

 These considerations, in addition to that of preserv- 

 ing the stool from the deleterious effects of moisture, 

 render it highly eligible to give the stumps of cop- 

 pices the same dressing after each cutting as has 

 just been recommended for stools after a fall of grovni 

 timber. The expense, if skilful workmen are em- 

 ployed, will be trifling ; but even should it prove 

 considerable, it will be ten times repaid by the salu- 

 tary effects which it will produce. 



A great and general error in the management of 

 oak coppice, is the utter carelessness which prevails 

 of affording it shelter during the first years of its 

 growth. At this early stage, the shoots from an old 

 stool are as apt to be injured by the winds and frosts 

 as those of a young plant. By exposing them un- 



