170 On the Dry Rot. 
It is true, that when trees are cut in the winter months, the 
alburnum will noé be affected by the dry rot for a great number 
ef years afterwards, and indeed I do not know if it be removed 
from the heart-wood, that it ever would be affected by that dis- 
ease in its proper type; and hence the origin of the delusion, and 
of consequence the practice above alluded to. But in this case, 
the deadly disease is lurking in the heart-wood, and will, as as- 
suredly as time rolls on, burst forth and destroy its texture in the 
course of about eight years; and hence the destruction of life 
and property, and the annual complaint from our government 
ship-yards. I was once a devotee to the cutting of timber for 
vessels in the winter, until the following circumstances led me to 
renounce this ruinous practice. 
It was the general custom here, to cut timber for vessels in the 
winter, but notwithstanding, they went into decay, and wan 
repairing in about seven years, or from that to eight, while some of 
them lasted twelve years. I ascribed this variation in their dura- 
bility ¢ to the fact that the cutting of the timber was often com=- 
in October, and then continued through the intermedi- 
ate months into: March. I therefore concluded that the right 
season was in December, when I supposed that the sap was cer- 
tainly in the roots, and if cut in that season, I believed it would 
leave the deadly poison in the stump; of consequence, the body 
and branches would be entirely free from its influence, and I 
therefore came to the determination to carry this opinion into 
practice the first opportunity, and one soon occurred. 
In 1810, I was concerned in the building of a small freighting 
ship, of which I was the sole conductor, from her keel until she 
was completed and ready for sea. According to my previous de- 
termination, I commenced the cutting of the timbers for her in 
the early part of December, and continued it into the first week 
of January. By so doing, I expected to produce the very best 
ship for durability on the Connecticut river, where there were 
then numerous vessels building. The timber selected was white 
oak, and white chestnut. The vessel advanced, and in April it 
was found that three of the quarter top timbers were wanting; 
and (as very crooked pieces were required for these) I was obliged 
to go into the woods and have them cut. Some time in May, it 
was found that the stick designed for plank-sheers (this was very 
large, and intended to make the whole that was wanted) would 
