8o TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



depth, to admit of a free circulation of air throughout ; 

 upon these the planks, etc., should be laid flat, and open 

 at the edges. Each tier should, as it rises, be blocked 

 with dry battens ^ to i inch in thickness, by at least 

 3 inches in breadth for deals ; and i to 3 inches thick by 

 at least 4 inches in breadth for plank, etc. These 

 should be placed immediately over the ground skidding, 

 as by so doing it will prevent buckling or warping, and 

 keep the planks straight and fair-looking ; and further, 

 care should be taken not to stack too high, lest the 

 upper tiers should feel the effects of the sun's heat 

 through the roof. 



Boards may either be placed on end and blocked 

 from each other by pegs or battens, or be placed upon 

 racks fitted horizontally to receive them for seasoning. 

 The former plan is in much favour in many places, and 

 especially so in small private yards, where they usually 

 stand in the open. I much prefer, however, a dry, cool 

 shed, fitted with horizontal beams and vertical iron bars, 

 to prevent the boards which are placed on edge from 

 tilting over, and believe that the wood shrinks gradually, 

 more evenly, and is less damaged by splits or shakes 

 than by any other method. Boards season surprisingly 

 well in this way, and when it is considered with what 

 ease and facility they are worked in and out of the 

 frame, there is, I think, much to recommend the plan to 

 favourable notice. 



Duhamel considered that by setting timber upright it 

 would season quicker, if not better, than if it were placed 

 horizontally ; it is, however, very difficult to do if dealing 

 with large quantities, and is seldom practised. I rather 

 doubt the efficacy of the plan. Fincham did not go 

 quite so far, but experimented on timber placed upon 



