March.] ^HE NURSERY. 279 
from injuring the trees, that it is of real service; for when it is not ta- 
ken off, they seldom last longer than fifty or sixty years in health; 
whereas trees which are barked every eight or ten years, will 
live 150, or more. The bark of a young tree is porous and good for 
little; however, it is useful to take it off when the trees are twelve 
or fifteen years old; for without this, it will never be good. After eight 
or ten years, the bark will be fit to take off again; but the second 
peeling is of little use. At the third peeling, it will be in perfection, 
and continue so for upwards of 150 years; for the best cork is taken 
from old trees The time for stripping is in July, or early in August, 
or when the second sap flows plentifully: the operation is performed 
by slitting it down on one side, raising the edges, and then it will 
peel off readily. 
Having procured the acorns in good condition, they are to be 
treated in every respect as directed for other kinds of oak, in page 
271; but if they are planted at once where intended to remain 
for full growth, it will be much the best way; in which case, par- 
ticular care must be taken to keep them free from weeds during 
their infant state, and to protect them from the annoyance of cattle, 
till grown out of their reach. The sooner the acorns are planted 
after having been procured, the better, for when long kept in a dry 
state, they loose their vegetating power, like every other kind of 
oak. 
Curse them! exclaims the peevish planter, I shall never live to 
cork a bottle with them. Have patience, good sir, you have no ob- 
jection to throw by a few dollars in an iron chest, for posterity, 
never to come in contact with the light of the sun, during your ex- 
istence; and which will always be depreciating in value, as the 
circulation of paper currency increases, and from several other cir- 
cumstances; a few of which, if laid out on planting cork-trees, 
would be rapidly accumulating wealth for your children, and ren- 
dering a real service to your country: besides, every day you walked 
out, you would have the pleasure of beholding your little family of 
trees, prospering in health and beauty, humbling their boughs be- 
fore you, and in their silent language returning you grateful thanks 
for your fostering care, and promising to reward your offspring for 
the friendly protection which you afforded them in their minor 
days. 
Tanner's Sumach. 
The Rhus Coriaria, or elm leaved Sumack, is a plant which should 
be introduced and cultivated, particularly in the southern states, 
where it will prosper in great perfection. It grows naturally in 
Italy, Spain, the south of France, the Levant, about Aleppo, Rama, 
and near Algiers, in Africa. The branches are used instead of oak 
bark, for tanning leather; but the great and particular necessity of 
its introduction into the United States is, that without it our tanners, 
who are both numerous and industrious, cannot manufacture what 
is called Turkey or Morocco leather, in good perfection: for it is 
with this plant exclusively, that that valuable article is tanned in the 
