General Observations respecting Timber.
Evelyn makes the following observations upon timber; some of which are well worthy of attention: " Lay up your timber very dry, in an airy place, yet out of the wind or sun, and not standing upright, but lying along, one piece upon another, interposing some short blocks between them, to preserve them from a cer tain mouldiness which they usually contract while they sweat, and which frequently produces a kind of fungus, especially if there be any sappy parts remaining.
" Some there are yet, who keep their timber as moist as they Can by submerging it in water, where they let it imbibe to hinder the cleaving ; and this is good in fir, both for the better stripping and seasoning, yea, and not only in fir, hut other timber. Lay, therefore, your boards a fortnight in the water, (if running the better, as at sonic mill pond head,) and then setting them upright in the sun and wind, so as it may freely pass through them, (especially during the heats of summer, which is the time of finishing buildings,) turn them daily, and thus treated, even newly sawn boards will floor far better than a many years dry seasoning, as they call it. But, to pre % cnt all possible accidents, when you lay your floors, let the joints be shot, fitted, and tacked down only for the first year, nailing them for good and all the next ; and b) this means they will lie staunch, close, and without shrinking in the least, as if they were all one piece. And upon this occasion, I am to add an observation which may prove of no small use to builders ; that if one take tip deal boards that may have lain in the floor an hun dred years, and shoot them again, they will certainly shrink (tours queries), without the former method. Amongst whechwrights, the water seasoning is of espe cial regard ; and in such esteem amongst some, that I am assured the Venetians, for their provision in the ar senal, lay their oak some years in water before they em ploy it. Indeed, the Turks not only fell at all times of the year, without any regard to the season, but employ their timber green and unseasoned ; so that, though they have excellent oak, it decays in a short time by this only neglect.
" Elm felled ever so green, for sudden use, if plunged four or five days in water, (especially salt water,) obtains an admirable seasoning, and may immediately be used. I the oftener insist on this water seasoning, not only as a remedy against the worm, but for its efficacy against warping and distortions of timber, whether used within or exposed to the air. Some, again, commend burying
in the earth, others in wheat ; and there be seasonings of the fire, as for the scorching and hardening of piles, which are to stand either in the water or in the earth.• " For that to most timber it contributes much to its duration. Thus do all the elements contribute to the art of seasoning.
" And yet even the greenest timber is sometimes de sirable for such as carve and turn, but it chokes the teeth of our saws ; and for doors, windows, floors, and other close works, it is altogether to be rejected, especially where walnut trees is the material, which will be sure to shrink. Therefore, it is best to choose such as is of two or three years seasoning, and that is neither moist nor over dry ;—the mean is best. Sir Hugh Plat informs us, that the Venetians use to burn and scorch their timber in a flaming fire, continually turning it round with an en gine, till they have gotten upon it an hard black coaly crust ; and the secret carries with it great probability, for the wood is brought by it to such a hardness and dry ness, that neither earth nor water can penetrate it : I myself remembering to have seen charcoal dug out of the ground amongst the ruins of ancient buildings, which had in all probability lain covered with earth above fifteen hundred years.
" Timber which is cleft is nothing so obnoxious to reft and cleave as what is hewn ; nor that which is squar ed as what is round ; and therefore, where use is to be made of huge and massy columns, let them be bored through from end to end. It is an excellent preserva tive from splitting, and not unphilosophical ; though, to cure the accident, painters putty is recommended ; also, the rubbing them over with a wax-cloth is good; or be fore it be converted, the smearing the timber over with cow dung, which prevents the effects both of sun and air upon it, if. of necessity, it must lie exposed. But, be sides the former remedies, I hind this for the closing of the chops and clefts of green timber, to anoint and sup ple it with the fat of powdered beef broth, with which it must be well soaked, and the chasms filled with sponges dipt into it. This to be twice done 01 cr.