The Cork Oak, Quercus Suber, has been planted, of recent years, in several of our states, with a view to the successful production of cork bark. Our country is now supplied with this important commodity solely from abroad. In southwestern Europe, where the cork oak is most abundant, the peasants make household utensils from the bark, and use it for lining the walls of their houses to prevent dampness.

The tree produces three layers of bark, the woody layer outside, then the layer of cork, and an inner layer next to the tree. When the tree is about fifteen years old the bark may be cut; this is done in mid-summer, by cutting two circles around the trunk, one near the branches, the other near the base, and connecting them by one or more perpendicular cuts. The bark is then readily removed. The first crop is rough and woody, and is generally used for tanning. Each succeeding crop is of better quality. The second crop is coarse, but of sufficiently good quality to be used for making corks. Crops attain their growth at from seven to ten years. When properly cared for these trees will produce bark until they attain the age of 150 years, and this will not be wondered at when the average longevity of the genus is considered. The inner bark, which is used for tanning, is not cut until the tree is destroyed, for if any part of it should be cut away, no cork bark will afterward grow upon the injured spot. - W. C. Butler.