26 On Dry-Rot. 



and the oak is invariably felled immediately after the tree has 

 recommenced its growing — when its pores are open and ex- 

 tended to receive the great quantity of sap which is thrown from 

 the roots up into the trunk and branches of the tree. At this 

 period the tree is soft and easy to be cut, and the bark separates 

 from the trunk with great facility. In this state it is left to sea- 

 son. The sap which should have returned into the roots is 

 dried by the sun ; but the pores of the timber never close them- 

 selves again; nor does the tree become that solid mass it was 

 before. The pores remain open, and soon become infected 

 with this pernicious disease, which I have no idea can be eradi- 

 cated. 



" Now, if a tree be let stand until the vegetation has entirely 

 ceased (say Christmas), the sap will have returned into the roots; 

 the pores which had been opened in the spring to receive it will 

 be naturally closed ; — the bark, which would have separated with 

 ease, will be found inseparable ; and the tree when cut and sea- 

 soned (for a comparatively short time) will be so hard and im- 

 penetrable as to prevent the disease from ever affecting it. The 

 bark under such circumstances becomes a solid mass and secures 

 the tree from injury, and conse([uently prevents the introduction 

 of the dry-rot. 



" If the Honourable Board will compare the difference between 

 two trees of the same age which have grown in the same wood, 

 (the one being cut down in the spring and barked, the other cut 

 down at Christmas and left with its bark on,) it will be strikingly 

 obvious ; the former will be soft, open, and coarse-grained; the 

 latter close-grained and solid. 



" The miners for their machinery always prefer timber which 

 has not been barked. The millwright for the wheel which is 

 exposed constantly to the water, chooses timber cut at Christmas, 

 because it will last at least as long again as. that which is cut in 

 April. The farmer even for his barn-floor cuts his timber at 

 Christmas, and sacrifices the bark; and because a floor made of 

 such materials will last for ages, when another will in a few years 

 be uriScrviccable. In many old buildings, but particularly churches, 

 erected prior to the time when bark became so enhanced in 

 value, the timber is still firm and solid, or only impaired from 

 great age and the worms. In buildings of a more recent date 

 the oak timber has perished altogether. If then a mill-wheel, 

 a barn-floor, or any machinery made of timber cut down at 

 Christmas be so durable, it is but a natural conclusion that a 

 ship built of such materials will derive a similar advantage. I 

 have no hesitation in saying that, if there be two ships built, the 

 one of timber cut in .lanuary, the other of timber cut down in 

 April, the former wiil be firm and solid when the latter will be 



entirely 



