TIMBER TREES AS IN DOOR ORNAMENTS.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3146, 19 March 1879, Page 1

TIMBER TREES AS IN DOOR ORNAMENTS.

Select a large well-grown acorn, and with a stout needle ran a strong thread through it in such a way that the acorn will bang with the pointed end downwards. Now put the acorn bo threaded into a clear glass bottle (an empty gum bottle does very well); place the two ends of thread over the opposite sides of the neck, and secure them by wtinping a few turns of fine thread round the neck, and fix the turns by tying the ends together. This done, pull upon the ends of the thread that pierces-the acorn till the latter hangs fairly point downwards ' in the centre of the .bottle.,, Now pour in a little water till it just reaches the point of the acorn. Then out a small piece of card, with vandyked edges, which > can be turned down' to form a cover.' If the acorn so prepared be kept in a room, it will be seen in a few days; the shell will open at the point, and a long root will grow downwards into the, water. At last the upper coverings of the acorn will split, and a little green Btem force its way out, bearing delicate, fairy leaves of most tender green. These will grow with vigour, borne on a straight stem. Through the long winter the tender leaves continue to appear; when sparing returns the growth becomes more vigorous. The oak becomes an evergreen; and,' if at the end of the second year you plant it put, it may perchance flourish for 4 thousand years,—' "A thing of beauty and a joy for ever.", The seed of the other trees'may be used the same way, with such modifications as are required for their size and form.— Kathleen in the Saturday Advertiser.