irO Ofi the Dry Rot 



It is true, that when trees are cut in the winter months, the 

 alburnum will not be affected by the dry" rot for a great number 

 of years afterwards, and indeed I do not know if it be removed 

 from the heart-wood, that it ever would be affected by that dis- 

 ease in its proper type ; and hence the origin of the delusion, and 

 of consequence the practice above alluded to. But in this case, 

 the deadly disease is lurking in the heart-wood, and will, as as- 

 suredly as time rolls on, burst forth and destroy its texture in the 

 course of about eight years ; and hence the destruction of life 

 and property, and the annual complaint from our government 

 ship-yards. I was once a devotee to the cutting of timber for 

 vessels in the winter, until the following circumstances led me to 

 renounce this ruinous practice. 



It was the general custom here, to cut timber for vessels in the 

 winter, but notwithstanding, they went into decay, and wanted 

 repairing in about seven years, or from that to eight, while some of 

 them lasted twelve years. I ascribed this variation in their dura- 

 bility to the fact that the cutting of the timber was often com- 

 menced in October, and then continued through the intermedi- 

 ate months into March. I therefore concluded that the right 

 season was in December, when I supposed that the sap was cer- 

 tainly in the roots, and if cut in that season, I believed it would 

 leave the deadly poison in the stump ; of consequence, the body 

 and branches would be entirely free from its influence, and I 

 therefore came to the determination to carry this opinion into 

 practice the first opportunity, and one soon occurred. 



In 1810, I was concerned in the building of a small freighting 

 ship, of which I was the sole conductor, from her keel until she 

 was completed and ready for sea. According to my previous de- 

 termination, I commenced the cutting of the timbers for her in 

 the early part of December, and continued it into the first week 

 of January. By so doing, I expected to produce the very best 

 ship for durability on the Connecticut river, where there were 

 then numerous vessels building. The timber selected was white 

 oak, and white chestnut. The vessel advanced, and in ApriL it 

 was found that three of the quarter top timbers were wanting, 

 and (as very crooked pieces were required for these) I was obliged 

 to go into the woods and have them cut. Some time in May, it 

 was found that the stick designed for plank-sheers (this was very 

 large, and intended to make the whole that was wanted) would 



