When the plants are two years old they will be of a proper size for planting out, and the best way to do this is by trenching or ploughing as deeply as the soil will allow. The sets should be planted about the end of October. This operation should be commenced by striking the plants carefully out of the seed-bed, shortening the tap-root, and topping off part of the side shoots, that there may be an equal degree of strength in the stem and the root. After planting they should be well protected from cattle, and, if possible, from hares and rabbits. They must also be kept clear from weeds.
Mr. Evelyn was of opinion, that Oaks thus raised will yield the best timber. And Dr. Hunter remarks, that the extensive plantations which were made towards the end of the last century, were made more with a view to shade and ornament than to the propagation of good timber; and with this object the owners planted their trees generally too old, so that many of the woods, when they come to be felled, will greatly disappoint the expectations of the purchaser.
Oaks are about eighteen years old before they yield any fruit, a peculiarity which seems to indicate the great longevity of the tree; for "soon ripe and soon rotten," is an adage that holds generally throughout the organic world. The Oak requires sixty or seventy years to attain a considerable size; but it will go on increasing and knowing no decay for centuries, and live for more than 1000 years.
In reference to the durability of Oak timber when used in ship-building, the following statement has been elicited by a Select Committee appointed to inquire into the cause of the increased number of shipwrecks. The Sub-Committee addressed a letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, who consulted the officers of the principal dock-yards, and returned the following abstract account of the officers of the yards' opinion on the durability of Oak timber:—
| OAK TIMBER. | When used for Floors and Lower Futtocks only. | When used for planking above light watermark. | When used for the Upper Timbers. | |
| In Midships. | Afore and Abaft. | |||
| English. | From 100 to 24 years. Average of yards 42 | From 20 to 12 years. - 15 - | From 20 to 12 years. - 16 - | From 30 to 15 years. - 20 - |
| Of the growth of the North of Europe. | From 30 to 9 years. Average of yards 18 | From 15 to 8 years. - 10 - | From 12 to 4 years. - 9 - | From 15 to 4 years. - 10 - |
| Of the growth of the British North American Colonies, generally known as Quebec white Oak. | From 30 to 5 years. Average of yards 17 | From 15 to 3 years. - 9 - | From 12 to 2 years. - 9 - | From 16 to 2 years. - 11 - |
