THE 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE, 



JUNE, 1838. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. On Measuring grotving Timber. By William Black- 

 adder, Land and Timber Surveyor, Glammis, Forfarshire. 



It is generally known that timber, in its rough state, is not 

 measured in such a manner as to ascertain its actual cubical 

 contents : but, for an approximation to what it may contain 

 after being squared up, the girt, or circumference, is taken with 

 a cord or tape-line, from which a deduction is made for the bark, 

 usually in the proportion of 1 in. per foot of the girt ; and then 

 one fourth part of the remainder, or quarter girt, thus rectified, 

 is held to be the side of the square ; and this, being squared and 

 multiplied by the length, gives the contents according to custo- 

 mary measure. 



The measurement of growing timber is ascertained in a 

 similar manner; but, from the difficulty of getting at the mea- 

 surable length, and more particularly at the average point to 

 take the girt, it is in practice generally done by estimation ; 

 and sometimes by taking the girt at a point within reach, to 

 serve to correct the estimation with the eye ; and, certainly, 

 persons of experience frequently perform it with much precision, 

 and hence have a great advantage over others of less tact. 

 Numerous modes have been suggested to get the better of this 

 difficulty, and, from time to time, laid before the public. The 

 two I am now to describe I have never seen in print, though, 

 from the simplicity of their principles, I have little doubt but 

 that they may be known to many others, besides those who 

 have drawn their information from my practice, which with the 

 one has been upwards of, and the other for nearly, twenty 

 years. 



First Mode. — For very large-sized trees, and of great length, 

 as well as uniformity in their bole, and when either standing 

 singly, or not so crowded but that their measurable height may 

 be seen at an equal distance back from their roots, the height 

 can be quickly and accurately taken with that useful little 

 instrument the pocket sextant, by setting it at the angle of 45°, 



Vol. XIV.— No. 99. s 



