394 OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISEASES, &C. 



it should continue standing ; what effect do you 

 think would be produced by such process upon the 

 body of the tree ; whether it w^ould continue to 

 grow, and increase in size in the part from which 

 the bark was taken ; or whether any, and what de- 

 triment would ensue from it to the timber, if no 

 means were used to prevent it ; and whether such 

 detriment, if any, would extend further than the 

 limits of the part deprived of its bark ? 



S. If you should be of opinion that Oak-trees 

 would sustain any material detriment, or become 

 in any degree defective, from the cause above 

 stated ; do you know any means by which such de- 

 triment may be effectually prevented, in trees which 

 have remained in that state from four, five, or six 

 months to a year ; so as to restore the bark, and 

 prevent the trees from becoming defective, and unfit 

 for the use of the navy ? 



3. If you should be able to suggest a complete 

 remedy for such defects, and if the remedy would 

 be effected by means peculiar to yourself, and un- 

 known to others ; we wish to know if you would 

 be willing to undertake to apply it, or superintend 

 or direct the application of it by persons properly 

 instructed by yourself, to any number of trees that 

 might require it in any of the royal forests ? 



4. In case there should be occasion to apply 

 such a remedy to a very considerable number of 

 trees in the state above described, we wish to know, 

 as nearly as possible, what expence the application 

 would be attended with, by the hundred, or thou- 



