Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-10
The Cork Tree.


The cork tree il II species Of the oak,
found ms "A natural growth in the south
ern parts OF Europe and the northern
| portions Of Africa, where IL II also ex-
tensively cultivated. It's product forms
one OF the most important articles Of ex-
port from these regions. The tree is an
evergreen. not large, growing only from
twenty To forty feet high. and having
many slender and wide spreading
branches. 1t produces nm acorn which
IL much like the acorn In taste. and Is
gathered 10 some extent for use. though.
as Is well known, the tree il chiefly vaiu-
able Tor its cork.
When the tree j. only from three 10
five years old, liz bark has already nt-
tanned ti.at peculiar cclluluu or kpongy
appearance which t. 30 familiar a the
special characteristic OF the cork. From
the first, the growth Of the inner por-
tons OF the bark is much more rapid
than the outer; and, rs II consequence.
Ia" outer covering soon begins 10 crack
from thc pressure, and ultimately to peel
of, it, place in preserving the vitality Of
Tia" tree being taken by the newer growth
next the wood. The cork bark intended
for the market il cut of year or two
bolor" IL would thus naturally tall away
by Itself. The process j. simply to cut
IT 10 the proper depth around the tree.
and then make incisiOns up and down
the trunk, when, with Il sort of curved
drawing knife, it il not difficult 10 cut
away tho. long layers which we see com
ing uilcrwaTd in bales 10 our markets.
OF course, layers of bark when taken
from the tree are round, like the trunk.
bat th"y are easily ilattcncd by soaking
in water and pressing. after which they
are usually charrcd before being packed
in bales
The trees are generally allowed 10
stand till they are twelve or fifteen wears
old before stripping the first time. This
first product Is usually OF poorer quail
ity. having more Of the woody fiber. II
j. used chiefly for floats and buoys. and
such cuarscr purpose, or else burnt for
lamp-black. After the first harvest a
new layer. an inch or more in thickness.
is formed every six or eight years: and
the trees viii live. anording a Weld about
at this rate. for one hundred and ffy
years. The bark taken away has ceased
to have vitality; therefore it, removal.
If Ca~ fully accomplished. is never
dc'rimrnt to the tree. II rather pro-
muir- its health and growth. being mere
is the removal Of an incumbrance
Most oi the uses Of cork have been
long familiar. many Of them being men
toned hy our older historians. Ofcour-c
It's chicfu-c, that for stoppcrs. has greatly
increased since the manufacture Of glass
and carthouwHrc las been so common.
For this purpo-" IL j. Of unrivaled con-
yonirnrc. and wcll-uigh indispensable.
Blu, beside thi- cork j. put 10 "A great
variety uf uer-. among which are some
ioI which IT, being imponctrablc t. water
Hnd 20 had conductor Of heat specially fit
IL. The cork sole 10 our shoes readily
occur &" every ono; but IL j. not 50 well
known that Russia j. one Of the best Gus
toner. for cork. and in that cold climate
Iarr" -Irui- Of this material are slit into
pilates and used 20 line the walls of their
house.
In some parts of Southern France and
Spain th" cork forests are deemed among
th'ir most profitable lands The anYu4I
protU.. j. ~ the rate Of about two hun
or'd and hfty pounds 10 the acre. In
Alvr.R large tracts of cork woods are
owned 10y the government, which leases
them 'n individuals. receiving from this
-uUrr" revenue Of about two million
dollar per aunum.
tnga trees have hoon planted I'm Eng
land. bat without much success. Tho
southern part Of our own country. how
ever. ought 10 ho adapted. both in cli-
mat" ard -uji. io the production of this
wood.-N,r lork Mercantile JyUrUal