256 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



ally takes place in situations which are close and confined, and where 

 there is a want of a free circulation of air about the timber. When 

 timber which has not been properly seasoned is used in the erection of 

 buildings, it very soon begins to decay from dry-rot ; and this takes place 

 more especially where there is a large proportion of sap-wood in the 

 timber. Many pretended cures are given for dry-rot; but the best 

 way to prevent the possibility of its taking place is, to use only well- 

 seasoned timber, and, in the construction of the buildings, to provide 

 that the roofs, floors, &c., shall receive a free circulation of air about 

 them. This can be easily accomplished, without destroying the warmth 

 of the buildings, by providing small openings in the outside walls, in 

 which are placed iron gratings. This can be done in the case of the roofs 

 above the ceilings, and also for that of the floors immediately between 

 them and the foundations. When moisture is allowed to accumulate 

 on the timber of roofs and floors, and there is no means of allowing 

 the air to dry them, then dry-rot is sure to follow. Timber is also 

 often destroyed by being painted before it has become perfectly diy. 

 When this is done, the wet is prevented from escaping, and decay 

 consequently ensues. 



There is often a large quantity of our home-timber used for building 

 purposes. On many estates it has been the practice to use timber 

 from the home-plantations in the erection of farm-steadings and cottages. 

 This, as a general rule, will be found to be mistaken economy, and that 

 for two good reasons. In the first place, I have always found that I 

 could sell the timber from the plantations at a much higher price than I 

 could purchase good foreign deal ; and therefore I have preferred selling 

 the home-timber, and purchasing what foreign pine we required for 

 building. I do not mean to assert that this will be found the case in 

 every quarter of the kingdom ; I merely state what my own experience 

 is in the matter. And again, I have always found that good foreign 

 timber is of a much better quality for building purposes than our own 

 home-grown timber, with some exceptions, which I shall mention. I 

 have frequently had farm-buildings to re-roof where ash and elm timber 

 had been used in the construction of them, although such timber had 

 only been in use for about seven years. 



The oak is the chief tree which we can depend upon in this 

 country for producing a timber which is durable. The grain is straight, 

 and it is easily split up if required, and may be used for almost any 

 purpose; and if kept dry, and used when well seasoned, it is found 

 to be almost imperishable. Oak timber which has grown on a heavy 

 soil such as clay is more durable than that grown on light soils. I 

 had occasion this year (1868) to pull down a cottage on this estate 



