Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/341

XXXIX.] Duhamel considered that by setting timber upright it would season quicker, if not better, than if it were placed horizontally; it is, however, very difficult to do if dealing with large quantities, and is seldom practised. I rather doubt the efficacy of the plan. Fincham did not go quite so far, but experimented on timber placed upon frames set at an angle of about 30°, and it was found that it afforded no good results. The butt-ends dried far too quickly to allow the sap juices, which drained to the lower part, to evaporate; as a consequence, decay was rather accelerated than otherwise.

Steaming or boiling unseasoned timber will fit it quickly for employment in architectural work, but it should only be resorted to in case of necessity, as it takes from its strength, and adds nothing to its durability.

Seasoning in chambers heated to a high temperature is practised to some extent on thin planks, boards, and other small and light material, but it cannot be carried out on timber of large scantlings, owing to the great weight and the difficulty there is in handling it; besides, the storage room required for any considerable quantity of it would be so enormous that it may be looked upon as next to impracticable. Very great care is necessary in drying boards by this desiccating process, the ends need always to be clamped to prevent them from splitting and warping, and they must be firmly secured by thin laths being placed between them. Ordinarily wood thus dried loses in strength, and in coloured woods there is this further drawback, that they generally pale and lose their lustre.

A patent was taken out in France about the year 1861, by M. de Lapparent, Director of the French Dockyards and Inspector of Timber for Naval Purposes, for