Spruce Timber. 



In the numbers hitherto issued of the Journal I observe various 

 parties discussing the durability of spruce timber. My own observa- 

 tions lead me to the conclusion that its durability depends not so 

 much upon its age, kinds of soil grown upon, or whether in a lowland 

 or highland country, as does the thorough seasoning of the timber, and 

 the amount of ventilation it may afterwards get when applied in con- 

 structions. If green unseasoned timber lie long in a damp state, and 

 is used in that state, unquestionably a fungus will have got itself 

 spread over the greater portion of it before it is used, and if applied 

 for partitioning under lath and plaster, or where there is bad ventila- 

 tion, either spruce or any other class of timber would soon waste, as 

 dry-rot always follows the fungus. I have seen a farm standing after 

 being forty years erected, and examined the whole of the wood, which 

 was quite sound except the roof of the threshing mill, and above the 

 water-wheel. These parts were the only places where a want of 

 ventilation occurred, and they were literally rotten and had to be re- 

 newed. In their renewal with green timber, good ventilation was 

 introduced by making it along the whole side of the roof, and I found 

 that it dried as quickly as if stacked outside under a mean temperature ; 

 and for roofing or any other coarse piece of work that does not require 

 dressing, it is as good as any other class of timber generally used. I 

 have seen young spruce wood that was sawn into common fence 

 railing last for thirty-one years, and except when in contact with the 

 stobs or at the joinings, it was as fresh as when put up. It was, how- 

 ever, frequently coated with coal tar well boiled. I would suggest in 

 passing that a small piece of hard wood be placed between the stob 

 and the rafter, say the whole width of the rafter, f X 5 thick, in which 

 a hole could be bored for the nail to pass through. 



This could also be done at all joinings of the rafters along the whole 

 line of the fence ; of course a longer nail would be required, but the 

 lengthened durability would more than repay the extra cost of nails. 

 I know of a building only constructed five years ago, with good 

 foreign timber, and which is now completely rotten, and must be 

 pulled down. Similar facts could be adduced on both sides of the 

 question, but I believe these are sufficient at present to establish a 



