April I, i8gi.] 
Supplemeni to the “ Tvoplcal Jgvicnltnnst: 
747 
BUILDING MATEEIALS. 
Section II. Timbeb (continued) 
By a Factory Apprentice. 
It T 0 rv rarely falls to the lot of the Architect 
to select" timber -svhilst in a state of growth, but 
if such a need arises, he will, of course, choose 
healthy vigorous and ilourshing trees. Preference 
should always be given to those in which the 
trunks are most smooth, since a swelling above the 
general surfaceis a sure sign of decay. _ That the 
condition of the roots of a tree is tlie best index to its 
soundness is well known, but yet dead branches, 
especially on the top, render it very suspicious. 
In felling trees the large branches should be lirstcut 
off, so that the tree may not be injured or strained 
in its fall, and the trunk sawed as close to the 
ground as possible. When felled, but not before, 
it has to be barked, trimmed of its Itranches, and 
left to season. Before, however, leaving it for 
this purpose, it is thought best by workmen to 
square it to prevent its tendency to split. 
The pieces selected for building should possess 
straight grain, but there are pieces which are 
occasionally employed, for instance for knees 
and braces, wherein a cuiu’iliner direction of the 
fibres is extremely desirable. It may be generally 
stated that in the case of two equal-sized and 
seasoned piieces the heavier is the piece to be 
preferred. 
The boughs and branches are never so good as 
the body of the tree ; the larger are stronger than 
the small limbs, and the wood of the heart 
stronger than all. When green, wood is not so 
strong as when thoroughly dry, which it rarely 
is till two or three years after it is felled. Tim- 
ber that contains much sap is not only weaker 
but decays sooner. Timber is weakened liy knots 
at which by experience it is found that fractures 
most frecpiently occur ; and it is imp)ortant to 
the Architect to recollect that he should always 
reject cross-grained pieces. The life of trees, like 
that of men, has been commonly divided into three 
stages: youth, maturity and old age. AVhen a tree 
has arrived at a mature age the proportion of 
sap-wood is small and the heart-wood is nearly 
uniform, and is hard, compact and durable, and 
this is the proper stage for a tree to be felled. A 
tree when felled in infancy contains a great deal of 
sap-wood; when not felled till it is on the de- 
cline, that is, till it reaches old age, the wood is 
brittle and devoid of elasticity, tainted, dis- 
coloured and soon decays. 
In order that timber may be durable, not only 
is it necessary that it should be felled during 
maturity, but due attention ought also to be paid 
to the proper season of the year for felling. 
(To be continued. ) 
PADDY CULTIVATION IN THE NOETII. 
Sir, — W ill you allow me t hrough the medium 
of your Magazine to make certain suggestions 
witii regard to paddy cultivation in Jaffna? 
It is generally known that paddy cultivation 
in that jilace has proved a total failure during 
the last three years, and I think we may safely 
fer in that there is very little hope in the future 
of a successful crop there. The usual nature of the 
seasons seems to have changed, and there appiears 
to be a tendency towards a lengthening out of 
the dry and a shortening of the wet season. 
The average paddy crop in Jaffna is undoubtedly 
a poor one. True, there have been cases in which 
good crops of paddy have been reported, but the 
figures meant to denote high yields refer only to 
special cases, where a very small extent of land, on 
which more than the ordinary treatment and at- 
tention has been bestowed, is cultivated. 1 am led 
therefore to think, and that not without reason, 
that paddy cultivation in Jaffna cannot be a 
success. How then can Jaffna hold its ground ? 
I say let it look to that which thrives in the North. 
The fact that Jaffna has long been famous for 
its fruits and dry grains, such as peas, gingelly, 
chillies, varaku, kurakkan, maize, &c. cannot be 
denied. Grapes and mangoes, oranges and 
pomegranates are unrivalled for their quality. 
Good mangoes in Colombo are identified with 
Jaffna mangoes. Mr. Green, the indefatigable pro- 
moter of agricultural knowledge in the Island 
has in his Agricultural Primer rightly sugge.sted 
the extension of fruit culture, as well as encour- 
aged the cultivation of dhall in Ceylon. Jaft'na 
ought to lead the way in carrying this advice out, 
especially as its soil suits the cultivation of fruits 
of superior quality and of leguminous plants. 
The digging of Avells in the usual way in the 
midst of every cultivator’s land is essential to a 
j)lace like Jaffna, to water his crops whenever the 
rain fails. I will not speak here of novel experi- 
ments such as the boring of artesian wells, which 
has engaged the public attention for some time 
past. 
New implements of culture are notfor the most 
part suitable to the Jaffna soil, wliichisof a shallow 
limy nature, but there is nevertheless room for im- 
provement in Jaffna. 1 would suggest that the 
cultivators should cultivate paddy and dry grains 
alternately, and give more attention to the 
latter — that is to say tliey should practise a simple 
rotation of crops. A rotation is carried on 
there to some extent, but in no systematic 
manner, and I propose that dry grains be 
cultivated, in turn, thoughout one whole year. 
Hitherto dry grains were looked upon as 
something secondary, but in fact, they are of 
primary importance in Jaffna, and ouglit to bo 
considered such, as the dvy season is predominant 
tliere. The Jaffna farmer has hitlierto considered 
himself to be the cultivator of paddy, and to 
cultivate it was his chief aim and ambition. 
Hereafter his chief object must be to engage 
himself in the cultivation of dry grains (which 
is sure to remunerate him amply) and not to 
waste his time, strength and capital in his vain 
endeavour to secure a few bushels of paddy each 
year. Tlie dry season is sure to come every year, 
but the wet season, almost as a rule, disappoints 
him. Therefore, ho ought to ponder over these 
facts and betake himself to a more extended 
cultivation of that species of grain which is 
suited to the conditions of soil and climate in 
this district. By doing this Jaffn.a will find itself 
in a better position than now, and by gradually 
dropping the cultivation of paddy, will in an 
indirect way, help to abolish the paddy-tax! 
Tv. M. C. 
