The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-03

The more closely we examine the works
of nature, the more we must admire and
praise the wisdom and goodness Of the
Creator. /: That Christian is deeply to be
commiserated, whose piety is not enliven-
ed by a survey of the profuseness Of the
bounties with which God has covered the
earth. ...
Among the thousand evidences of the
care which God has taken to furnish his
creatures with enjoyments, my attention
has been arrested by the various kinds OF
wood he has provided, and tine adoption
of each sort to particular uses. If nature
had produced but one kind Of wood, how
ever excellent it might be, our wants would
have been but poorly supplied. ...
How valuable is the oak for many i'm.
portant purposes. 1t is hard, strong, and
no, wanting in durability. Besides its
vast utility in naval architecture. how
priceless its value for many necessary i'm
plements of labor. 1t is the timber OF
which the farmer chooses to have his plow,
harrow, wagon, cart, &c. constructed; and
it would be difficult to find any other kind
that would answer sp well. DID,
For the construction of a plane. how
worthless would be Pine timber. A few
minutes use would reduce it to fragments.
And yet for many other uses the Pine is
infinitely superior to the Oak. Sawn into
boards for building, Pine is far better than
Oak. 1t is not only more durable. but is
light. soft, and more easily worked. 70
drive nails into seasoned Oak boards is
very difficult, while they are driven into
Pine with the utmost facility.
White Ash is another kind Of timber,
for which the world in general, and the
farmer in particular, should be devoutly
thankful. tits light. stiff, and sufficiently
hard. and not very liable to warp. 1t is
the chosen timber for harvest cradles,
sythe.snaths. handles for pitchforks, rakes
and hoes. When we consider the great
utility of these implements, and the admi-
rable fitness Of the White Ash for these
uses, its great value is apparent
For some purposes great strength and
hardness, combined with lightness, are
desirable. Hickory is not very heavy for
so strong a wood, and is exactly what is
needed for axe-helves. Before it is sea-
soned it is susceptible of being made very
flexible; and without hickory can scarce
ly imagine what would be used for OK
bows.
For common chairs. bedsteads. &C.,
Maple is well fitted. 1t is close grained,
turns smooth, is worked without difficulty,
and has sufficient strength for the uses to
which it is applied. In former days it
was much used in making spinning wheels
for the manufacture of flax. but so chang.
ed are the times now, that there are many
young persons growing up in the midst
Of an agricultural community. who, if they
should see field Of flax, would have to
inquire the name Of that strange plant.
For some purposes. particularly in the
building Of fences, durability is the most
desirable quality. And there are some
sorts of timber which are remarkable for
durability when exposed to moisture. The
Locust here stands preeminent. An aged
friend Of mine who has passed his three
score years an ten. states that he knows
some Locust fence posts which have been
in the ground eighty years, and still are
sound.
In some sections Of the country Chest
nut is abundant, and is very valuable for
rail fence. Large chestnut rails will last
from 80 TO 40years. Ought it not TO ava
ken the formers gratitude, that so dura-
BILE wook as the Chestnut generally grows
so straight, and is so easy split. Notwith-
standing its durability, If the Chestnut was
so hard to split as some kinds of Elm, it
would be little used for fencing. f.a'
Though have MENTIONED only the