82 SYLVA BOOK m 



means they will lye stanch, close, and without shrink- 

 ing in the least, as if it were all of one piece ; and 

 upon this occasion I am to add an observation which 

 may prove of no small use to builders ; that if one 

 take up deal-boards that may have lain in the floor 

 an hundred years, and shoot them again, they will 

 certainly shrink (toties quotles] without the former 

 method. Amongst wheel-wrights the water-season- 

 ing (which hinders the exhaling of the alcaly salt in 

 it, causing the hardness) is of especial regard, and in 

 such esteem amongst some, that I am assur'd, the 

 Venetians for their Provision in the arsenal, lay their 

 oak some years in it, before they employ it. Indeed 

 the Turks, not only fell at all times of the year, with- 

 out any regard to the season ; but employ their timber 

 green and unseasoned ; so that though they have 

 excellent oak, it decays in a short time by this only 

 neglect. 



Elm fell'd never so green for sudden use, if plung'd 

 four or five days in water, (especially salt) which is 

 best, obtains an admirable seasoning, and may im- 

 mediately be us'd. I the oftner insist on this water- 

 seasoning, not only as a remedy against the worm, but 

 for its efficacy against warping and distorsions of 

 timber, whether us'd within, or expos'd to the air. 

 Some again commend buryings in the earth, others in 

 wheat ; and there be seasonings of the fire, as for the 

 scorching and hardning of piles, which are to stand 

 either in the water, or the earth. 



1 The oak 



Explore, suspended in the chimney smoak. 



1 Et suspensa focis explorat robora fumus. 



Georg. i. 



