2186 PLANTS PKOPER FOR UNDERWOOD, 



when three or four years old, or its nuts may be 

 sown in patches in the plantation where it is wanted, 

 in the same manner as has been directed for acorns. 

 The bushy manner in which the hazel generally 

 grows, qualifies it well for affording concealment, 

 and birds when pursued by the hawk often find in 

 it safety from his talons. The blackbird and thrush 

 haunt it much, and in it we often find their nests. 



The Oak, though the principal tree of the forest, 

 disdains not to asume the subordinate character of 

 underwood; and in this department it should al- 

 ways be liberally introduced, when the preservation 

 of game is the object in view. Its mode of cultiva- 

 tion has already been fully explained, and it is un- 

 necessary to say any thing further on that subject 

 at present, unless it be to remark, that when rais- 

 ed for the purpose of underwood, several young oaks 

 may be allowed to grow in one patch, instead of 

 thinning them out till one plant only remain, which 

 is necessary when they are intended for trees. 



Both the Oak and Hazel ibay be propagated by 

 layers ; and in this way, if we possess but a few 

 stools of either, we may quickly diffuse plants over 

 a large space of ground. The proper time for laying- 

 down the shoots, both of oak and hazel, is tvhen they 

 are from six to eight or ten feet in length. Lay- 



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