74 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [cHAP. 



The winter-felled logs were sounder, less rent by 

 shakes, and the centres or early growth generally showed 

 less of incipient decay than the spring-felled. The 

 centres in both, however, unless they are carefully pro- 

 tected from the weather, are liable to be deteriorated at 

 the ends after being about three years in store, and if 

 exposed for a longer period, the deterioration will be 

 more serious, inasmuch as the shakes will be deeper and 

 more open, and instead of the early stage of decom- 

 position at the ends, there may be decided rot super- 

 vening, and involving great waste whenever it is required 

 to be brought into use. The Tewart of Australia and 

 the Greenheart of Demerara are, however, notable ex- 

 ceptions to this, for on these two woods time and 

 weather have little effect ; they seem to be almost 

 imperishable. 



While the above is true of the timbers of Europe and 

 cold temperate countries generally, however, there are 

 other considerations to be noted in hot climates. In 

 India, for instance, the season of felling should be as 

 cool and moist as possible, to ensure the slow drying of 

 the wood and therefore the minimum of cracking ; but 

 it often happens that malarial periods and heavy rains 

 prevent this. In hill countries, again, the snow and 

 rains compel fellings at seasons otherwise not preferable. 

 Then, again, the purposes for which the timber are to 

 be employed are important; firewood should contain 

 all the solid materials possible, and be dried rapidly, 

 and the best season for this is often that of drought 

 and heat. 



Ten or twelve years seems but a short time compared 

 with the usual and common duration of timber, and 

 when we hear of the timber framework and fitments of 

 old buildings being found in a sound state after having 



