ing felled here in the Spring, as foon as the Sap is found 
to be fully up, by the Trees putting our, and then Bark'd 
after the Trees are proftrate, the Sap yet remaining in 
the Bodies of them : Whereas there it is firft barked, (in ' 
the Spring as herej) but before it is felled, the Trees 
yet living and (landing all the Summer, and not felled 
till the following Winter,wben the Sap is fully inrepofe: 
Whether of which Cuftoms of felling Timber, either for 
Ships or other Buildings, is moft eligible, is the Poin: 
to be difcuft. 
In the clearing whereof, May it pleafe your Majefty 
firft to take notice, that all Trees in the Spring Seafon 
( when ufually we fell them in the South of England) and 
fome time after, are pregnant, and fpend themfelves (as 
Animals do in their refpe&ive OfF-fprings) in the pro- 
duction of Leaves and Fruits, and fo become weaker 
than at other times of the Year 3 their Cavities and Pores 
being then turgid with Juices or Sap, which (the)Trees 
being felled at that time) ftill remain in the Pores, having 
now no manner of means of being otherwile fpent, and 
there putrifie 3 Not only leaving the Tree full ofthefe Ca- 
vities which render the Timber weak 5 But fecondly 
breeding a Worm as both Pliny and Mr. Evelyn teftifie, 
that will fo exceedingly prejudice it, that it becomes al- 
together unfit for ftrong Incumbencies, or other robuft 
Ufes. Thirdly, That all Timber fell cl at this time of Year, 
whether the Juices putrifie, or otherwife fweat forth, or 
dry away, -is not only fubjed: to rift and gape, but will 
ihrink fo confiderably, that a Piece of fuch Timber of 
a Foot fquare will ufually (hrink in the breadth % of an 
Inch 3 than which, fays Vegetius, nothing is more perni- 
cious if ufed for the building of Ship?* To which, 
Fourthly, The firft and greateft Roman Emperor Julius 
C<efar adds, That tho Ships may be made of fuch moift 
Timber felfd in the Spring, yet they will certainly be 
Sluggs, not near fo good Sailers as Ships made of Timber 
feird later in the Year, In 
