TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



working it up, and to give it simply that protection when 

 brought into use which all other materials require to keep 

 them from perishing. It need not be too soon varnished, 

 painted, or coated with any preservative compound 

 whatever, but be allowed to undergo after conversion a 

 further short process of the natural seasoning before this 

 is done. Its durability will be thus insured much more 

 effectually than if desiccating, charring, or some other 

 hastening process of seasoning had been resorted to, for 

 the sake of bringing it into earlier use after being felled. 

 My experience of the approximate time required for 

 seasoning timber under cover, and protected from wind 

 and weather, is as follows : 



Pieces 24 ins. and upwards square, Oak, require about 26 mths. Fir, 13 mths. 

 Under 24 ins. to 20 ins. , , ,, 22 II 



20 

 16 



12 



8 



10 

 12 



18 



14 



10 



6 



Planks from one-half to two-thirds the above time, 

 according to the thickness. 



If kept longer than the periods named, the thin fine 

 shakes which first open upon the surface during the 

 process of seasoning will open deeper and wider, until 

 they possibly render the logs unfit for conversion. If, 

 however, the logs be reduced to the scantlings required 

 after partial seasoning, and then further allowed to dry, 

 they will not be liable to tear open so much, but by 

 shrinking gradually will retain a more solid form, and be 

 less objectionable to the eye when placed in position. 



The table showing the time necessary for seasoning 

 the various scantlings must be qualified by the con- 

 sideration that in the case of any foreign timber that will 

 float, the foresters and raftsmen, while transporting it to 



