The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-09-12


that the sup recedes to the roots during the
winter, he took, in June, 1915, some pie
ces of oak cut 10 June, which he placed
over fire. lie found ms the heat increased,
that on the ends Of the sticks there appear
ed wet circle describing the exact thick
mes. Of the dtburnum or portion Of wood
outside of tie heart, and the, steam rushed
violently from the tubes of that part whilst
there was bet IA slight appearance o. 'apor
over the heart wood. In December of the
yenr he tried u similar experiment, md
found the steam tn issue from the hear:
wood, whilst the slburburn remained per-
fectly dry. From these expcrimc nts It mp
pearcd evident tha; in summer the sap Is ~
the aiburnuin md in tie winter in the
heart wood, whittier il had been conveyed
by some process of nature not understood
and not in the roots rs had been supposed,
Subsequent observations have proved 20
the writer that when growing trees are TRIM
med in summer the rot which ensues be-
gins in the alburuum, whilst in those Trim
med in winter The decay takes place first III
the heart wood. In further support Of the
! new theory, reference is made 10 the fact
that chcsnut rails, which are usually made
IN summer, last great number Of years,
whilst posts made of the same material,
which are generally prepared in winter, rot
IN seven or eight years. As n mode of as
certaning the season at which the ancients
cut their trees, 1t is suggested that on ex-
animation oi ancient timber il will appear
that the powder post, MS it is called, and
the dry rot, will be found in the aburnum,
and that the interior Of the heart wood will
be found perfectly unaffected. The follow
ing experiment IS mentioned as Illustrative
Of the effect produced Oh the QUITE. or inner
portion of the wood according to the season
Of cutting. Take two sapIings, one OF
which has feen cut in June and one in De-
cember. BY placing piece Of each in
the garret and piece of each in the cellar,
It will be found in about three years that ia
the garret the powder post will have ap-
poared IN the nlburnum OF the one cut in
June, nnd in the heart wood Of that Gu, in
December, whilst, III the cellar, the dry rot
will exist ia accordance with the same rule.
The conclusion 10 which the writer comes
is, tha, June is the best time for cutting
ship timber, and TINT IN proportion as we
reeede from that month will be its liability
to decay. The subject is one Of vast prac-
tical importance, and there is reason to be-
lieve that the perishable character Of the
wood of our country used for ships is 10 be
attributed in very great degree TO the
fact of its being cut in winter.
The MELsrRoM WHIRLpooL.-Letier
from a gentleman in Washington to the
Hon. A. B. Woodward, Judge of Middle
Florida.
This wonderful phenomenon, that has
excited the wonder and astonlshment of
the world, l have seen. There are few OF
my coun,rymeu who have had the oppor-
tun,ty, III consequence OF the situation OF il
being remote from any por: of commerce
Its latitude and longitude l do not exactly
recolIect. IL is situated between two is
lands belonging 10 Il group of the coast OF
Norway, called the Low-in-staff Islands,
between Dronlheim, being the most north
ern port Of commerce) and the North Cape.
suppose the latitude to be about 50 north,
but will not be certain.
had occasion some years since, TO nav
igntc ship from North Cape to Nroniheim,
nearly all the way between the islands or
rocks mud the main. On enquiring of my
Norway pilot about The prac,icnbiliy OF
running scar the whirlpool, he told me
that with a good breeze it could bo op-
preached near enough for examination with
ou, danger. at once determined to satis-
fy myself We began to near il about 10
A. Nj. in the month Of September with n
fine leading wind North West. Two good
seumen were placed al the helm, and the
mate on the quarter deck, all hands at their
stations for working ship, and the pilot
standing on the hGwsprit between the mig ht
heads. went on the maintopmast ward,
with good glass. had been seated but
a few moments when my ship entered the
dish of the whirlpool the velocity Of the
water altered her course three points to-
wards the centre, although she was going
eight knots through the water This
alarmed me exceedingly for n moment
thought that destruction was inevitable.
She, however, answered her helm sweetly,
and we run along the edge, the waves foam
ing around us IN every form, while she
was dancing gaily over them. The sensa-
tons | experienced are difflcult to describe.
Imagine to yourself an immense circle, run
ming round, of n diameter of one aud half
miles, the velocity increasing as it ap-
proxlmstcd towards n centre, and gradual
ly changing its dark blue color to white
ioamine, tumbling, rushing To the vortex !;
very much coucavc, as much so as the wa
ter in n tunnel when half run out; the
noise too, Kissing, roaring, dashing
passing on the mind, at once present the
most awful, grand, solemn sight, ever ex-
perienced.
We were near it about eighteen minutes,
and in sight Of it about two hours. I, is
evidently sublerranean passage, that leads
the Lord knows where. From its mag
nitude should not doub, TINT instant de-
struc,ion would be the fate Of a dozen of