ON THE DISEASES, DECAY AND PRESERVATION OF TIMBER. 



By EDWARD CLARK, A. M. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Association ; 



I propose, on this occasion, to make some remarks on timber and timber trees, some of 

 the diseases to which in either form they are subject, and point out some of the preventives 

 which may be economically' applied. 



The subject is broad and fertile, and merits a much more close and extended investigation 

 than the circumstances under which we have convened will permit. My aim will, therefore, be 

 merely to give a general outline, and leave deficiencies or details to be supplied by those 

 who may be more directly interested in it. My object is practical utility. I shall, conse- 

 quently, avoid technicalities, as far as my subject will permit, in order that I may be more 

 generally understood. 



The forest trees which in one way or another may be made to contribute to the conve- 

 niences and comforts of man, to say nothing of art and elegance, are exceedingly numerous ; 

 but a comparatively small portion of them, however, possess the character of durability when 

 dressed into timber and applied to ordinary exposure. It is proper in this place to state that, 

 by the term timber I mean to be understood, all varieties of trees suitable for building pur- 

 poses, which have been felled by the axe or accidentally and roughly dressed or hewed. 



The trees of our country, which claim to be more particularly noticed as applicable when 

 reduced to timber for durable use, may be enumerated in the following order, viz. : The oak, 

 pine, chestnut, cedar, cypress and locust. Others, it is true, may be added to the list ; but 



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