F O R E S T - T Tx E E S. 41 



loofely, tlian thefe dibbled : In fliort, too much cannot b^ faid 

 againil this barbarous method of treating trees ; which, if it 

 prove not their immediate grave, will at leafl continue to be their 

 prifon. But I fliall now return to the further culture of the Oak. 



This tree, having been managed as here diredlcd, will be o. 

 a proper age and fize for being removed to large plantations fo^ 

 good, and, from the abundance of their roots, and good propoi 

 tion of their bodies, will refill the moft violent winds ; but fuel 

 as incline to provide large trees of the common Englifh Oak, fo. 

 future purpofes, mufc proceed farther, as follows : 



Having fixed on a fpot of good mellow ground, that has 

 been vv^ell dug the preceding autumn, about the end of March, 

 or beginning of April, give it another digging, level it well, and 

 pick out all remaining ftones and root-vv^eeds from it. As foon 

 as their buds begin to fwell, raife fuch trees (vv^hich ought to be 

 the flraighteft and fineft) as you intend to cultivate further in the 

 nurfery way ; Hill continue to fliorten fach roots as tend dovvai- 

 wards,- and fmooth the fpreading ones that are long, or have 

 been wounded with the fpade in raifxng them ; and where there 

 are abundance of fibres, you ?TLay likewife cut away fome of the 

 fmalleft, which, if the trees are not immediately planted, w^il de- 

 cay, and fometimes bring a mouldnefs about the principal roots : 

 You muft alfo cut oif all ill-placed crofs branches from their 

 bodies, leaving, only a few of the fmaller, at proper intervals, to 

 detain the fap, for the augmentation of the trunk ; and let not a 

 bud of the leading fhoot be ruffled, as that is difficult to repair 

 in the Oak, by any other means than cutting over the tree. Let 

 thefe operations be done in the gentleft manner, not iliaking the 

 plants, that as much earth as poffible may continue about tiicir 

 roots. 



