XXXIX.] SEASONING. 317 
the port of shipment, often, and quite unintentionally, do 
good service in giving it some weeks, if not months, of 
water seasoning, which should be estimated for in deter- 
mining its fitness for use, whether it be as a substitute for 
Oak or otherwise. 
Square Fir timber, and rough spars for masts, are 
often kept too long afloat after they are purchased, under 
the impression that they will soon be wanted, and there- 
fore their temporary submergence is hardly worth while. 
Yet, perhaps, from some cause or other, they are not 
brought so quickly into use as was expected, and months, 
even years, may pass by without much thought being 
given to them. The consequence is that just about the 
line of flotation, and that part which the water washes, 
the logs are often found to be seriously deteriorated, 
To insure the preservation of this wood it will therefore 
be necessary to submerge it without delay. 
In cases where it is not convenient to submerge the 
timber at once, it would do some good if the logs were 
occasionally turned over. It is a little difficult, however, 
to accomplish after one-half the log is soddened with 
water, as then it can only be managed if secured in rafts, 
and it is almost impossible to permanently change the 
position of a log, if it be crooked, from that which it 
naturally takes by its own gravity in the water. 
To aid the natural seasoning, and bring about at the 
earliest possible time the evaporation of the moisture 
which is contained in all newly-felled timber, the trees 
should not be allowed to remain long upon the ground 
where they grew, as the soil is generally damp and wet. 
They should rather be carried off as early as convenient 
to the timber yard, and stored there for preservation. 
One of the earliest causes of decay may be accounted 
for by the way in which valuable logs of timber are too 
