3 2o TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



Sheds of a cool, dry, lofty, and permanent character 

 are required for the proper seasoning of thick-stuff, 

 planks, and deals ; and it is desirable that the stacks of 

 each of these should be of a moderate breadth only, a 

 passage through the middle of the shed being necessary 

 for the convenience of examining and working each 

 parcel. The ground skidding should be like that of the 

 timber stacks, placed level, and be at least a foot in 

 depth, to admit of a free circulation of air throughout ; 

 upon these the planks, &c., should be laid flat, and open 

 at the edges. Each tier should, as it rises, be blocked 

 with dry battens ^ to I inch in thickness, by at least 

 3 inches in breadth for deals ; and I to 3 inches thick by 

 at least 4 inches in breadth for plank, &c. These should 

 be placed immediately over the ground skidding, as by 

 so doing it will prevent buckling or warping, and keep 

 the planks straight and fair looking ; and further, care 

 should be taken not to stack too high, lest the upper tiers 

 should feel the effects of the sun's heat through the roof. 



Boards may either be placed on end and blocked 

 from each other by pegs or battens, or be placed upon 

 racks fitted horizontally to receive them for seasoning. 

 The former plan is in much favour in many places, and 

 especially so in small private yards, where they usually 

 stand in the open. I much prefer, however, a dry, cool 

 shed, fitted with horizontal beams and vertical iron bars, 

 to prevent the boards which are placed on edge from 

 tilting over, and believe that the wood shrinks gradually, 

 more evenly, and is less damaged by splits or shakes 

 than by any other method. Boards season surprisingly 

 well in this way, and when it is considered with what ease 

 and facility they are worked in and out of the frame, 

 there is, I think, much to recommend the plan to favour- 

 able notice. 



