194 J. V. DE COQUE. 



already shown, the shrinkage is from the heart, also because our 

 timbers split from the heart side only. 



For all classes of work and 

 in all sizes, except square with 

 heart in centre, hardwoods 

 should be cut off the back, thus 

 A fact which architects would act wisely in making a note of. 



and not on 



the quarter 



thus 



It is always advisable when possible to avoid using hardwoods 

 of any description with heart in. The heart is invariably the 

 weakest portion of the tree, and defects such as rot will always 

 start first in the heart and extend afterwards throughout the 

 whole piece. 



Artificial Seasoning op Timbers. 



Many intelligent men, fully alive to the importance of devising 

 some method whereby the timbers of these colonies may be 

 artificially seasoned, have spent time and money in various 

 schemes, but so far without accomplishing any practical result. 

 It must however be remembered that before success is assured, 

 special difficulties will have to be overcome. The timbers of this 

 Colony may be divided into three classes : First, the hardwoods 

 such as ironbark, blackbutt, mahogany, etc. Secondly, the fancy 

 or figured, including the brush varieties. Thirdly, our softwoods 

 such as cedar, beech, pine, etc. 



In the effectual seasoning of the hardwoods and semi-hardwoods 

 a great difficulty presents itself, for could we but offer to the 

 world the magnificent genus Eucalyptus in a thoroughly seasoned 

 state, we should not only be able to absorb a great quantity for 

 our local wants, but our export trade with the markets of the 

 world would be enormous, and when we come to consider that 

 our rosewoods, beans, oaks, etc., are second to none in beauty of 

 grain or colour and in durability, it seems to me to be nothing 

 short of a national calamity that any difficulty should stand in 

 the way of developing this great industry. 



J 



