272 transactions of the american institute. 



When to Cut Timber for Durability. 



Mr. Koons asks : "At what particular period or season would you re- 

 commend the cutting of timber, with reference to its greatest durability?" 



The Chairman said, it is a question of the utmost importance, to all far- 

 mers, as it is a still mooted question among them whether timber will last 

 longest cut in summer or in winter. 



I have lately been engaged building a dock at my place in Connecticut, 

 and this question is one that has arisen, and I find that most farmers are in 

 favor of winter. I have had timber cut at both seasons, with a view to 

 test the question of greatest durability. 



Mr. S. P. Dow, New Market, N. H.— The late Gov. Plumer, of this State, 

 one of the most practical men of his time, made it a point, for the last thirty 

 years of his life to cut all his stakes, poles and rails, fencing, also his fire 

 wood — the last week in August, or first week in September, — he said it 

 would last twice as long, and the fire wood, — season perfectly and bright. 



I have been in the business of cutting wood, timber and lumber for the 

 last twenty years, and know from experience that fire, or cord wood, cut 

 from 1st September to 1st January, always, cures, or seasons, bright and 

 perfect — that the wood cut in February, March or April, never will cure 

 or season, and does not burn well. Any farmer can easily test it by going 

 into his forest 1st September and fall a beach or birch tree, go in to same 

 growth in March or April and fall another' same kind, let them both remain 

 on the ground until the ne.xt fall or 1st November — he will then find that 

 the limbs of the one fallen in September will be seared hard, like horn, not 

 easily cut off — the other will be so decayed that he can easily knock off the 

 limbs with the pole of his axe. 



The sap is fully matured in wood 1st September, in this latitude. 



Mr. R. H. Williams thought if the timber Avas treated exactly alike in 

 regard to season, it would not make much difierence whether cut in Feb- 

 ruary or June, but would prefer to cut in winter. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — As the wood is full of sap it must naturally rot 

 quicker when cut in summer than in winter. 



Mr. Solon Robinson said that many careful experiments have been made 

 and reported within a few years, which have entirely exploded the old 

 notion that timber, for durability, must be cut in winter, as it has been 

 proved that that cut in summer is much the best for building ships, bridges, 

 &c. Of course, it would be the best for making fence rails. As some of 

 the speakers have already suggested, it should be stripped of its bark, and 

 the sooner it seasons the better for its durability. 



Dr. Trimble related some interesting incidents about the durability of 

 the ancient cypress trees of North Carolina, out of which shingles are 

 made, after having been buried several centuries. Adjourned. 



John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



