100, 



it has been common to have them cut 

 down, when the sap flowed most freely. 



AVhether the time of cutting down, and 

 the taking off the bark, was right in re- 

 gard to Firs, generally, I am not prepar- 

 ed to decide with certainty, but am in- 

 clined to believe, that it is wrong ; as, if 

 not immediately split, the sort of cracks 

 we have been speaking of, must follow 

 as the certain consequence ; yet, if the 

 poles were used in a perpendicular direc- 

 tion, or were not exposed to moisture, 

 such cracks Avould do little damage ; but 

 when exposed to the weather, in an ho- 

 rizontal position, as every crack, whose 

 opening is upwards, must not only ro//(?cf, 

 but hold water, the sap, or least durable 

 part of the wood, is constantly exposed 

 to the extremes of drought and mois- 

 ture. The bark is certainly taken off, 

 to prevent the moisture lodging be- 

 tween that and the wood, and there* 

 by occasioning rottenness; but whether 



