61 



I might here remark, by the way, that 

 there is an art in tlie apphcation of, or 

 the manner of placing, knotty timber. 

 The same piece may be much stronger 

 in some positions than it would be in 

 others : the rule is, always to lay that part 

 downwards which has the most of, or ap- 

 proaches nearest to, a straight grain. A 

 piece of clean wood cannot crack till 

 it be considerably bended ; — one that is 

 curled, cracks almost as soon as bent. 

 I mention these things here, because, 

 if known, they seem little attended to by 

 workmen. -If, indeed, we would avoid 

 the numerous evils that knotty timber 

 subjects us to, we must add one more 

 condition, to the two generally required 

 in bargains, ncimely, strength, to scsLntVmg 

 and soundness ; for, it is true, that whe- 

 ther the beam of a warehouse, the 

 axletree of a cart, or the shafts of a car- 

 riage, break ; still, in at least nine cases 

 ill ten, the accident is to be attributed 



