of seasoning Timber. 587 



manner in which oak timber is harvested. In felling most of 

 the other species of hard-wood trees, it is an invariable prac- 

 tice to have them cut down when vegetation is in its most inert 

 state; but, from the great value of its bark, the oak forms an 

 exception to this most judicious rule. The process of disbarking 

 can only be performed when vegetation is in full activity, and cer- 

 tainly it requires no argument to show that this, of all seasons in 

 the year, is the most improper to fell timber of any sort, if dura- 

 bility is to be taken into consideration. Oak bark forms no con- 

 temptible item of our inland commerce; and to propose that all 

 oak trees to be applied to marine constructions should be cut down 

 in the months of December and January, will be a startling 

 announcement to some economical proprietors and stewards, 

 as by such a course the value of the bark must be sacrificed ; 

 but I propose no such thing to them. Let it be remembered 

 that I am writing with a view solely to the stability of the 

 wooden walls of old England. I am not patriot enough to ' 

 recommend individual sacrifice for the public good, when there 

 exists no necessity for it. This is the age of " compensation ; " 

 and when, collectively, we can afford to present the West India 

 planters with twenty millions sterling for performing one single 

 act of justice, surely, when treating with oak-venders to furnish 

 our timber depots with sound material, we can well afford to 

 make an equitable allowance for the bark, if it can be proved, 

 as I think it easily may, that we would be gainers thereby. 



All timber, then, for the use of the British navy ought to be 

 purchased growing, with an understanding between the con- 

 tracting parties, that the vendor shall be bound to fell the trees 

 at such seasons as may be agreed upon ; namely, in the months 

 of December or January. Had some such plan as this been 

 adopted long ago by the officers of the public dockyards, it is my 

 firm belief that dry rot would have been much less prevalent. 

 Even the process of felling herein recommended is susceptible of 

 improvement. Where any large oak tree fit for naval purposes 

 is sold, it might be arranged that the purchaser should be 

 allowed two, three, or more, years to remove it. In this interim, 

 vegetation might be gradually retarded, by severing from the 

 main root, annually, so many of the principal lateral roots, until 

 the foliage all but refused to expand. Under this treatment 

 the usual copious flow of sap would be diminished; and, by 

 reducing the medium of its ascent annually, the fibre would 

 become seasoned, and would acquire a rigidity and toughness 

 not obtainable under the old regimen. 



This idea has just occurred to me while writing; and although, 

 when discussing subjects of importance, great caution ought to 

 be exercised in promulgating new theories, still the advantages 



RR 2 



