52 BRITISH OAKS — THEIR SPECIES, VARIETIES, USES, AND CULTURE. 
contend, and no doubt with a vast degree of truth on their side, that natural-grown timber 
is superior in quality, and of more rapid growth, than that which is artificially planted. In 
this opinion they are followed by many high authorities in our own country, and amongst 
them by the late Earl of Haddington, a great planter in his day, who says, " If I could raise 
all my trees from the seeds without removing them, it would be the best way ; but I have 
given reasons why it cannot be done. In all the authors I have read, there is one positive 
order that I never follow, viz., cutting off the tap or carrot-root of the oak." And Sang, a 
most experienced planter, is of a similar opinion. He says, on the subject of rearing wood, 
" One rule we must invariably adhere to ; namely, to soiv, and not to plant. All the woods 
of nature are raised from the seed sown on the spot where the trees grow ; and we are 
certain that her timber trees are never inferior, but often superior to such as have been 
planted by the hand of man." 
This is a question of time as well as of opinion. We all know the great value of natural- 
grown timber ; but time sufficient has hardly elapsed, to test satisfactorily the difference 
between it and the artificially-planted oak, that is to say, oak of full maturity, to which it 
cannot arrive in half a century ; and this embraces the period the question has been under 
discussion. We know, however, the superior quality of our natural-grown Pine, and the 
almost worthlessness of artificially-planted Scotch Fir. If we reason from analogy, the 
preponderance would be in favour of Oak also reared from seeds, sown where they are to 
remain. 
The authority last quoted, proceeds to say, " We consider a tree having its original 
roots thus abridged," that is by transplanting, "as advancing pretty nearly in its nature to 
a cutting, or layer, which is well known seldom attains to the size of a tree of the same 
kind raised from seed. In short, we hold that the entire preservation of the perpendicular, 
or tap-root, projected from every seed by nature, with all its fibres, is the surest and most 
effectual means of obtaining the great object in view, namely, perfect timber ; and that, 
every abridgment occasioned by the subsequent removal of the plants, must derange the 
flow of the juices. Hence the want of success generally attendant on the re-planting of 
large trees. Indeed, the younger that trees can be removed, and planted in the field for 
good, so much the more will the progress of their growth be accelerated, as has been well 
ascertained by experience. For these, and like reasons, we give the plan of raising woods, 
forests, and copses, from seed sown where they are to remain, a decided preference." 
The Continental nurserymen frequently germinate all their large seeds, such as acorns, 
horse-chestnut, &c., in damp sand, and in a temperature of from 50° to 60°. When the 
young shoot has extended to the length of about two inches, they nip off its point, and then 
sow the seed in the usual manner, taking care, however, not to injure the sprouting 
radicle. This process has the effect of causing the tap-root to send out numerous side roots ; 
an effect favourable to the process of transplanting, but not so to the growth of the plant, 
at least for a time. 
The trees so treated, are at two or three years' growth, planted in their permanent 
situations, and when as many years established, they are cut down to the ground, after 
which they send up several strong shoots, and send down perpendicular roots ; all these 
shoots are rubbed off early the first year of their appearance, excepting one, which should 
always be the strongest. The tree then makes as rapid growth as if it had been sown on 
the spot, and in bad soils even more so. I notice this practice without recommending it. 
As regards the preparation of the soil for forest trees, either by ploughing or trenching, 
opinions are very variable : Mr. Sang declares that it has no effect whatever on the quality 
of the timber, or longevity of the trees, but that it gives them more rapid progress in the 
first period after planting. Mr. Withers, and with him many English planters, lay great 
stress on this ; and trench from eighteen inches to even three feet, and in some instances 
use manure at the same time. It should be, however, remarked that the preparation of 
the latter is in general for large trees, say from four to six feet in height, and in a good 
climate, whereas the former plants small trees of only a few inches in height, and in a 
climate much colder; indeed Mr. Sang, instead of planting trees, often sows the seeds. 
Whether the trees be planted, or the seeds grown, we maintain that far greater pains 
