except as an astringent and as a strong support to hold together ruptured tissues. 

 Gallnut is widely used in dyeing, both in Europe and in the East Indies. 



CULTIVATION. Oak trees are propagated by acorns, which must be planted 

 immediately or very shortly after they mature. The trees never should be pruned unless 

 they have dead or broken branches. They must be left to grow on their own, and they will 

 get larger and grow much taller. Nevertheless, when the trunk is large and the top has 

 formed, the lower branches can be cut back without harm. But the trunk never should be 

 laid bare by using a billhook. Dumont-Courset says "If in the district where I live our oak 

 trees are no longer growing, we need only blame that on the relentless pruning that they 

 undergo at the hands of the country folk who do it to get fuel to keep themselves warm. 

 Each year the sap then is diverted to produce new shoots on the trunk, and only a very 

 small amount reaches the top of the tree, which soon perishes for lack of sustenance and 

 the strength to withstand strong gales. Besides, nature does not form limbs and branches 

 on the trunk without reason. They provide storage for the sap, which then moves up to 

 make the top of the tree grow." 



It also can be noted that the roots of trees constantly interact with the branches. 

 Reducing the latter impedes the origin and development of new roots that continually 

 give trees their vigor and their means of growth. 



Evergreen oak trees are very susceptible to cold in the north of France. Wherever 

 possible, a location that's sheltered from the north wind and that has loose, slightly sandy 

 soil must be chosen for them. When they're still young and the}' feel the cold very 

 acutely, it's best to cover the base of the tree with litter and even to protect the trunk with 

 straw matting. 



KEY TO PLATES. 

 473. Oak tree with sessile acorns. 



