sider the enormous consumption of wood during the. last 
century, in large and small vessels, in houses, and in all the 
ohyiots which add to the comforts of society, both in Eu- 
rope and America, we may justly suppose that few old 
oaks can be supplied in Europe, and that the number: ain 
Ametica is continually diminishing. 
We are therefore justified in believing, that the dry rot 
in vessels and houses, in its present extension, is owing to 
the use of young timber, to which architects have had re- 
cource, in consequence of the destruction of the old forests. 
It is perhaps impossible to prevent the danger, but it _ 
be in our power to guard ina great measure against 1 
And it is of so much importance, that I feel less in 
in offering my opinion on the subject. 
he object of every process for the preservation of tim- 
ber, must be to extract the water of the sap, and to destroy 
the absorbent power of the wood, and chiefly of the sap 
vessels. The different uses for which the timber is intend- 
ed, will of course cause some difference: i in the odes of its 
treatment. For this purpose, I suggest with diffid , 
following se dA Neds aonie: one “a abicly nay probably 
one | in ea situa 
must hin be very limited. 
Another method may perhaps be ied with success, and 
without greater expense than many that have heen resorted 
to without avail: | mean the use of smoke. This would 
evaporate the. water of the sap, and carbonise in some 
measure t ood. 
A third See is the application of lime, aloes in sais 
tion or as air slacked. The first would act like 1 muriate 
chemical affinity, much more powerfully. It sates be ap- 
plied to timber in most situations. I understand that when 
the steam frigate was built in New-York, a quantity of pot- 
ash was poured into the centre of each timber. [Between 
