CHAP, iv SYLVA 83 



For that to most timber it contributes much to its 

 duration. Thus do all the elements contribute to the 

 art of seasoning. The learned interpreter of Antonio 

 Neri's^fr/ of glass ^ c. 5. speaking of the difference of 

 vegetables, as they are made use of at various seasons, 

 observes from the button-mould-makers in those 

 woods they use, that pear-trees cut in summer work 

 toughest, but holly in the Winter, box hardest about 

 Easter, but mellow in Summer, hawthorn kindly 

 about October, and service-tree in the Summer. 



4. And yet even the greenest timber is sometimes 

 desirable for such as carve and turn ; but it choaks the 

 teeth of our saws ; and for doors, windows, floors, and 

 other close works, it is altogether to be rejected ; 

 especially where walnut-tree is the material, which 

 will be sure to shrink : Therefore it is best to chuse 

 such as is of two or three years seasoning, and that is 

 neither moist nor over-dry ; the mean is best. Sir 

 Hugh Plat informs us that the Venetians use to 

 burn and scorch their timber in a flaming fire, con- 

 tinually turning it round with an engine, till they 

 have gotten upon it an hard, black, coaly crust ; and 

 the secret carries with it great probability ; for that 

 the wood is brought by it to such a hardness and 

 dryness, ut cum omnis putrefactio incipiat ab humido^ nor 

 earth, nor water can penetrate it ; I my self remem- 

 bring to have seen charcoals dug out of the ground 

 amongst the ruins of ancient buildings, which have 

 in all probability, lain cover'd with earth above 1500 

 years. 



5. Timber which is cleft, is nothing so obnoxious 

 to rift and cleave as what is hewen ; nor that which 

 is squar'd as what is round ; and therefore where use 

 is to be made of huge and massie columns, let them 



