A DISCOURSE 



BOOK III. be from the twentieth to the thirtieth day, according to Columella : Cato 

 '-^^^^"^ four days after the full, as far better for the growth, nay. Oak in the 

 summer ; but all vimineous trees, silente land, such as Sallows, Birch, 

 Poplar, &c. V egetius for ship-timber, from the fifteenth to the twenty- 

 fifth ; the moon as before : but never during the increase, trees being 

 then most abounding with moisture, which is the only source of putre- 

 faction : and yet it is affirmed, upon unquestionable experience, that 

 timber cut at any season of the year in the old moon, or last quarter, when 

 the wind blows westerly, proves as sound and good as at any other period 

 whatsoever ; nay, all the whole summer long, as in any month of the 

 year, especially trees that bear no fruit. Theophrastus will have the Fir, 

 • Pine, and Pitch-tree felled when first they begin to bud. I enumerate 

 them all, because it may be of great use on some public emergencies. 



Then for the temper and time of day : the wind low, neither east nor 

 west, (but west of the two,) the east being most pernicious, and exposing 

 it to the worms, and for which the best cure is, the plentiful sobbing it 

 in water ; neither in frosty, wet, or dewy weather ; and therefore never 

 in a forenoon, but when the season has been a good while dry and calm ; 

 for as the rain sobs it too much, so the wind closes and obstructs the 

 moisture from oozing it. Lastly, touching the species : fell Fir when it 

 begins to spring ; not only because it will then best quit its coat and strip, 

 but for that they hold it will never decay in water ; which, howsoever 

 deduced by Theophrastus from the old bridge made of this material over 

 a certain river in Ajrcadia, cut in this season, is hardly sufficient to satisfy 

 our inquiry. 



Previous to this work of felling, take the advice of our countryman 

 INIarkham, and it is not to be rejected : Survey, saith he, your woods as 

 they stand, immediately after Christmas, and then divide the species in 

 your mind, (I add, rather in some note-book or tables,) and consider for 

 what purposes every several kind is most useful, which you may find in 

 the several chapters of this Discourse under every head. After this, 

 reckon the bad and good together, so as one may put off the other, witli- 

 out being forced to glean your woods of all your best timber. This 

 done, or before, you shall acquaint yourself with the marketable prices of 

 the country where your fell is made, and that of the several sorts ; as 

 what so many inches or feet square, and long, is worth for the several 



