76 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



Planks from one-half to two-thirds the above time, 

 according to the thickness. 



If kept longer than the periods named, the thin fine 

 shakes which first open upon the surface during the 

 process of seasoning will open deeper and wider, until 

 they possibly render the logs unfit for conversion. If, 

 however, the logs be reduced to the scantlings required 

 after partial seasoning, and then further allowed to dry, 

 they will not be liable to tear open so much, but 

 by shrinking gradually will retain a more solid form, 

 and be less objectionable to the eye when placed in 

 position. 



The table showing the time necessary for seasoning 

 the various scantlings must be qualified by the con- 

 sideration that in the case of any foreign timber that 

 will float, the foresters and raftsmen, while transporting 

 it to 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 

 determining its fitness for use, whether it be as a substi- 

 tute 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 

 therefore 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 de- 

 teriorated, owing to the invasion of fungi which require 

 air as well as water, and which therefore could not 



