85 



twelve different sorts of timber, when 

 exposed in all weathers ; by which it 

 appears, that, after being so exposed 

 for ten years, the " Heart of the Larch 

 " was sound, the Sap quite decayed;" 

 a result completely incompatible with 

 every observation I have been enabled 

 to make upon the subject, which are 

 by no means few. — It seems, indeed, 

 perfectly unaccountable, under any other 

 ^dea, than that of supposing a mistake. 



The experiment was made by order of 

 a Nobleman, with an intention highly 

 honourable to himself: yet it is obvious, 

 that the value of such experiments must 

 depend entirely on their accuracy, and of 

 that we can have no great dependence, 



large enough to be useful for numerous purposes. 

 Surely then it is of importance for tiie proprie- 

 tors thereof, and the public, to know with perfect cer- 

 tainty, what are the essential properties of the article ; 

 as that alone can fix its value, and proper mode of ap- 

 plication. 



