238 



A DISCOURSE 



nr. The Robur, or Wild Oak timber, is best to stand within ground ; the 

 Quercus without ; and our English, for being least obnoxious to splinter, 

 and the Irish for resisting the worm, (tough as leather,) are doubtless, for 

 shipping, to be preferred before all other. The Cypress, Fir, Pines, 

 Cedar, &c. are best for posts and columns, because of their erect growth, 

 natural and comely diminutions. Then again it is noted, that oriental 

 trees are hardest towards the cortex or bark, our western towards the 

 middle, which we call the heart ; and that trees which bear no fruit, or 

 but little, are more durable than the more pregnant. It is noted of Oak, 

 that the knot of an inveterate tree, just where a lusty arm joins to the 

 stem, is as curiously veined as the Walnut ; which being omitted in the 

 chapter of the Oak, I here observe. The Palmeto growing to that pro- 

 digious height in the Barbadoes, and whose top bears an excellently- 

 tasted cabbage, grows so wonderfully hard, that an edge-tool can 

 scarcely be forced into it. 



Pines, Pitch, Alder, and Elm, are excellent to make pumps and conduit- 

 pipes, and for aU water-works, &c. Fir for beams, bolts, bars, being 

 tough, and not so apt to break as the hardest Oak : in some, the more 

 odoriferous trees are the more durable and lasting ; and yet I conceive 

 that well-seasoned Oak may contend with any of them, especially if pre- 

 served under ground, or kept perfectly dry. In the mean time, as to its 

 application in shipping, the best of it ought to be employed for the keel, 

 (that is, within, else Elm exceed^) the main beams and rafters, whilst for 

 the ornamental parts, much slighter timber serves. One note more is re- 

 quisite, namely, that great care be had to make the trenails of Hhe best, 

 toughest, and sincerest part ; many a vessel having been lost upon this 

 account ; and therefore, dry and young timber is to be preferred for 

 this, and for which the Hollanders are plentifully furnished out of Ire- 

 land, as Nicholas Witsen has himself acknowledged. 



Is it not, after all this, to be deplored, that we, who have such perpe- 

 tual use and convenience for ship-timber, should be driven to procure of 

 foreign stores, so many thousand loads, at intolerable prices ? but this w^e 

 are obliged to do from the eastern countries, as far as Norway, Poland, 

 Prussia, Dantzic, and farther, even from Bohemia, though greatly im- 

 paired by sobbing so long in the passage : but of this our most industrious 



