Greathead, the following account of the Scarborough life-boat.

The life-boat at Scarborough, which was built without the least deviation from the model and the plan which you sent here at my request, has even exceeded the most sanguine expectations; and I have now received experimental conviction of its great ability in cases of shipwreck, and of its perfect safety in the most agitated sea. Local prejudices will ever exist against novel inventions, however excellent, may be the principles of their construction; and there were some, at this place, who disputed the performance of the life-boat, until a circumstance lately happened, which brought it to the test of experience, and removed every shadow of objection, even from the most prejudiced minds.

On Monday the 2d of November, we were visited with a most tremendous storm from the eastward, and I scarcely ever remember seeing a more mountainous sea. The Aurora, of Newcastle, in approaching the harbour, was driven ashore to the southward; and, as she was in the most imminent danger, the life boat was immediately launched to her assistance. The place where the ship lay, was exposed to the whole force of the sea, and she was surrounded with broken water, which dashed over the decks with considerable violence. In such a perilous situation the life boat adventured, and proceeded through the breach of the sea, rising on the summit of the waves without shipping any water, except a little from the spray. On going upon the lee quarter of the vessel, they were endangered by the main-boom, which had broken loose, and was driving about with great force. This com

pelled them to go alongside, and they instantly took out four of the crew; but the sea which broke over the decks, having nearly filled the boat with water, they were induced to put off for a moment, when seeing three boys, (the remainder of the crew) clinging to the rigging, and in danger of perishing, they immediately returned, and took them into the boat, and brought the whole to land in safety. By means of the life-boat, built from your plan, and the exertions of the boatmen, geven men and boys were thus saved to their country and their friends, and preserved from the inevitable destruction, which otherwise awaited them. The boat was not in the least affected by the water which broke into her when alongside of the vessel; and, indeed, the boatmen thought it rendered her more steady in the sea. I must also add, that it was the general opinion, that no other boat of the common construction could have possibly performed this service; and the fishermen, though very adventurons, declared they would not have made the attempt in their own boats.

We have appointed a crew of fishermen to manage the boat, under the direction of the committee; and the men are so much satisfied with the performance of the boat, and so confident in her safety, that they are emboldened to adventure upon the most dangerous occasion.

By other accounts, furnished to the society, it appears that the Scarborough life-boat, on the 21st of November, 1801, was the means of saving a sloop belonging to Sunderland, and her crew, consisting of three men and boys: also, the Experiment, of London, her cargo and crew, consisting of eight men

boys, when in a distressed and perilous situation, on the 22d of January last, which facts are attested by eleven owners of ships resident in Scarborough.

In the course of the last twelve months, several ships and vessels, which have not been included in the above accounts, have been driven on shore in bad weather, and got off again afterwards; the crews have been saved by being taken out by the life-boat, whereas, if they had remained on board, they must have perished, the sea making a passage over them.

Observations on the Culture and Growth of Oak Timber, by the Rev. Richard Yates, F. A. S. from the Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. (The Silver Medal was voted to the Author of this Communication.) To expatiate upon the vast im

the vast im

portance of increasing the growth of oak timber, seems unnecessary. The national advantages resulting from this source, appear to be, in general, well understood; and yet the cultivation and management of this most useful plant, has not hitherto obtained that degree of attention which it most certainly merits.

Entirely to obviate, or even in some measure to remove or lessen, the obstacles that still continue to impede the planting of oaks, would, therefore, be rendering an essential service to the nation. The desire of accomplishing so beneficial a purpose, has induced the judicious and public spirited conductors of the society of arts, to propose a pre

mium for "ascertaining the best method of raising oaks ;" in consequence of which, this paper is submitted to their candid consideration. And as the statements here made are founded upon a sedulous and active experience of fifty years, it is presumed the spirit and meaning of the society's proposal may have been observed, although it has not been possible (in this instance), literally to fulfil its terms; at least the very intention of promoting and forwarding the views of so enlightened, and highly useful a society, may, it is hoped, be accepted as an apology for calling their attention to these observations.

It forms no part of the present design to enter minutely into the various causes that continue to operate in obstructing the cultivation of the oak; as there is one of peculiar magnitude, the consequences of which are highly detrimental and injurious, and which it is, therefore, the principal object of this paper to remove.

An opinion is generally prevalent, that the oak is particularly slow in its growth, and requires a great number of years before it affords any advantage. This idea, too often, deters from planting, on account of the very great length of time it is supposed the land must be occupied before any return of valuable produce can be obtained from it, after a considerable expence may have been incurred in forming plantations.

This opinion, I consider as entirely founded in error, and to have taken its rise, in a great measure, from the want of proper management, that has hitherto commonly prevailed in the raising of oaks; and in this paper, I shall endeavour,

strongly,

strongly, to state, that the oak may be rendered very rapid in its growth, and that, consequently, land may be employed to great advantage in its cultivation; as a very considerable and profitable produce may, in a much shorter time than is generally supposed, be derived from proper parts of an estate thus employed.

Oak timber in this country, for the most part, appears in trees of a considerable extent of head, but seldom more than twenty or thirty feet in stem; and this, in many instances, the growth of a century. Now, by the course of management here proposed, it is conceived that trees, of at least double this magnitude, may be obtained in half that time.

It is not my intention to attempt a proof of this proposition by theoretical deductions, but to appeal for its confirmation to the indubitable test of fact, which, from the event of repeated trials, impresses a conviction that experience will be found to support and establish it in the most unequivocal manner.

It would be easy to enlarge much on the various qualities of soil, the nature and process of vegetation, and the peculiar properties of the oak; but as these topics may be found amply and judiciously discussed in many other authors, who have expressly treated on these subjects, I shall decline all such speculations; and, with the hope of being more essentially useful, shall confine myself to a statement as simple and practicable as possible.

The oak, in the progress of its growth, spreads numerous roots near the surface of the ground, and in an horizontal direction; these assist in supporting and preserving the tree in its position, but seem to

contribute very little to its increase in magnitude. The oak appears to derive its chief nutriment and strength from a root which always descends at a right angle to the horizon, and is called the tap root. The first thing, therefore, to be observed is, that, upon a judicious attention to this peculiarity, the planters success principally depends; and the neglect of this care is the constant source of error and disappointment. In all climates, and upon all soils, to preserve this tap root from injury, and as much as possible to assist its growth, is a general, and, indeed, the most essential principle in the cultivation of oak. With a due regard to this circumstance, the management of a plantation may be resolved into the three following practical direc tions:

Previously to planting the acorns, loosen the earth intended for their reception by deep trenching.

Never transplant, or in any way disturb, the saplings intended for timber. And

Keep the plant carefully pruned, till arrived at a proper height.

More fully to elucidate the subject, and to prevent the possibility of misapprehension, it may be proper to give a more detailed statement.

In determining on a spot to form a plantation of oaks for timber, it must always be recollected that the plants are to remain without removal in their first situation: the clearing and fencing may then be attended to as usual; and in the course of the winter, from September to March, the particular spots intended for the reception of the acorns, may be prepared for that purpose, by digging a trench about three feet

lowing year. The removal of every alternate plant must be continued yearly, till the trees are about thirty feet apart, at which distance they may remain for timber. The pran

Having made a careful selection of acorns that are perfectly sound, and in good preservation, they are to be planted about the middle of March. Draw a drill in the centre of the trench, two inches in depth, if the soil be heavy and loamy, but three inches in a light and sandy earth; in this plant the acorns two inches asunder, and cover them carefully with mould. When the plants appear, they must be weeded by hand in the rows, and the earth of the trench round them cleaned with a hoe, once a month, during the summer. In October inspect the rows and thin them, by pulling up every other plant: attention will, of course, be paid to remove the weak and crooked plants, and leave those that are tallest and straightest. On the second year, the operation of thinning must be repeated at the same time, and in the same manner; and, should any of the remaining plants have made side shoots, stronger than the general character, they must be smoothly cut off with a sharp knife, close to the leading stem. On the third year, the thinning is repeated, and the general pruning commenced, by cutting off close to the leading stem, all the side shoots of the first year; thus leaving the branches of two years to form the head of the fol

The particular arrangement here recommended, may be varied according to any peculiarities of situ ation, regard being constantly had to the general and most important principle of loosening the ground (very deep) previously to planting the acorns. By this mode of culture, oaks may be raised in almost any soil; but, where it is possible, a loam or marl is always to be cho sen. Oaks thrive much the best in such earth, and when assisted by deep trenching and judicious pruning, attain, in a few years, to an immense size.

Those who have been accustomed to notice the slow growth and stunted appearance of oak trees, when denied the assistance of art, and left to themselves in the common way, would observe, with astonishment, the vigorous and rapid increase of plants under the management now pointed out.

The plants thinned out the first three or four years, though not fit to be depended upon for timber, as transplanting generally injures very materially the future growth, may be replanted in the intermediate spaces, between the rows, for the purpose of being afterwards removed; or they may be usefully placed in hedges, or other spare and unoccupied

unoccupied spots of ground. They should be headed down at the time of transplanting, as this operation assists the process of nature, in reproducing or remedying any injury the tap root may have received from the removal, and, if proper attention be given to loosen the soil for their reception, and pruning them as they advance, in most instances an adequate profit will be derived from the labour bestowed upon them. After a few years, the produce of the timber plantation will be found very advantageous. The young trees that are to be removed yearly, will always find a ready market for a variety of purposes, unnecessary here to enumerate. addition to these advantages, if by this treatment of deep trenching previously to planting, and annual careful pruning during the growth, timber can be produced in about fifty years, of equal quality, and much superior in size, to that which has been above one hundred years growing under improper management, or without the assistance of cultivation; it will, doubtless, be allowed, that a most beneficial, if not absolutely the best possible method of raising oaks," is here pointed out and ascertained.

In

This method of cultivation may, perhaps, be thought to occasion so much expence in manual labour, as to prevent its being generally adopted: it might, perhaps, be sufficient to observe, that if the work be conducted with judgment and economy, the future produce will afford ample returns for all necessary expenditure it should also be recollected, that the previous preparation of the ground, and the subsequent pruning of the plants, are both to be performed at that season

of the year, when a scarcity of work will enable the planter to obtain as, sistance upon easier terms; with this additional advantage also, of providing employment for the la bourer at those times, when the general state of agricultural business renders it difficult for him to find maintenance for himself and family without charitable relief.

In 1750, at Ingestrie, in Staffordshire, the seat of lord Chetwynd, some plantations were formed and managed, in a great measure, according to the principles here stated, and the growth of the plants was so uncommonly rapid and so extraordinary, that it could not but attract the notice of all concerned in the conduct of them. The attention to the subject then excited has been the occasion and ground of all the observations and experiments made from that time to the present, the result of which is given in this paper.

The extensive plantations of the late lord Denbigh, at Newnham Paddox, in Warwickshire, are well known and much admired. The whole has been conducted with great judgment. About a square acre has been employed in raising oaks upon a plan nearly similar to that now proposed, and affords the best and most convincing proof of the superior utility and efficacy of such management. Had the noble earl been now living, I should have been enabled to have laid before the society some more detailed particulars: that, however, is now impossible; this paper, therefore, in its present state, may, perhaps, be thought not altogether unworthy of notice, as tending to forward the li beral designs of the society, and contributing to the advantage of the