APPENDIX. 



No. 1. 



Land Revenue Office^ April 17, 1789. 



SIR, 



Being Informed that you have discovered a method of cur- 

 ing defects in growing trees of all ages, which may have sus- 

 tained damage from any cause whatever, we wish to be favour- 

 ed bv you with an answer to the following questions, relative to 

 injuries done to the bark of oak-trees, and th& means of pre» 

 venting defects in the timber arising from that cause, vi2. 



1. Supposing a piece of bark of five or six inches square 

 to be cut from the side of an oak-tree of any size, from twenty 

 feet to one load or more, so as to lay the wood bare, and that 

 letters or figures were burnt or stamped with sharp instruments, 

 into solid wood, where the bark was so taken off, and the tree 

 left in that state so long as it should continue standing, what 

 effect do you think would be produced by such process upon 

 the body of the tree ; whether it would continue to grow, and 

 increase in size in the part from which the bark was taken ; or 

 whether any, and what detriment would ensue from it to the 

 timber, if no means were used to prevent it ; and whether such 

 detriment, if any, would extend further than the limits of the 

 part deprived of its bark ? 



2. If you should be of opinion that oak-trees would sus- 

 tain any material detriment, or become in any degree defec- 

 tive, from the cause above stated, do you know any means by 

 which siich detriment may be eifectually prevented, in trees 

 which have remained in that state from four, five or six months 

 to a year; so as to restore the bark, and prevent the trees from 

 becoming defective, and unfit for the use of the navy ? 



3. If you should be able to suggest a complete remedy for 

 Such defects, and if the remedy would be effected by means 

 peculiar to yourself, and unknown to others, we wish to know 



