NEW METHOD OF SLATING. 271 



whole period of the above only one fire has happened there 

 under a roof formed of slate : and that in the building of 

 all houses since, that article has judiciously obtained a pre- 

 ference. > 



With a view to general reformation in the matter, we may Lombardy 

 observe, that from the universal predilection, during about P°P lar - 

 thirty years past, for that very beautiful and quick growing 

 plant, the Lombardy poplar, wisely fostered in all crowded 

 places, and particularly the metropolis, among other good 

 purposes, for the purification of the atmosphere, its tine 

 straight timbers begin now necessarily to be taken down 

 and brought to market, so that in a short time we may ex- 

 pect an abundant supply ; and although, being of a very 

 light and soft texture, no particular use has yet been as- 

 signed them, there cannot be a doubt of their being ere long 

 very generally used, at least for inferior buildings ; the pre- Cautions re- 

 cautions being regarded of felling them always in winter, s P eclm S u - 

 and when sawn, washing out their saccharine juices, by lay- 

 ing their scantlings awhile under water; and also giving 

 them (together with their plank, boards, &c.) extra size, in 

 proportion to their want of density. The Scotch fir like- Scotch firs, 

 wise, from the scarcity and dearth of all other timber, and 

 particularly foreign deals, begins now to be universally em- 

 ployed. And were the genius and peculiar properties of our 

 immense tracts of waste lands thought worth attending to, 

 it cannot be supposed, but that many of them, composed 

 of light, pervious, blowing sands, and fit for little else, 

 (such as about Basingstoke in Hampshire, and indeed to be 

 found elsewhere in too many parts of the kingdom) might 

 be rendered abundantly productive of this article; and 

 which also, when felled and sawn, being properly washed, 

 would be found very generally useful in better erections. 

 Whenever their long horizontal roots may without obstruc- 

 tion extend themselves, howsoever infertile, in the common 

 acceptation, the soil, their growth is generally more rapid 

 than in land more rich ; but at the same time more close 

 and impervious*. Nor, it is to be hoped, will the idea be 



thought 



* There are now lying on the Quay in this town, brought down by 

 theKcnnet and Avon Canal, many fine trees of larch, with others of 



Scotch 



