Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-03-25
CUTTING TIMBER.

The following information about cutting TIM
Der has been forwarded to the Scientific 4
meriean by correspondent. who states he
found it among the manuscripts of a deceased
friend. 1t appears 10 be practical, land deserv
ing of general attention
ssTradition says that the sold of the moon
in February is the best time to cut timber /; but
from more than twenty years of observation
and actual experience, am fully convinced
that it is about the worst time to cut most If
not all kinds of hard wood timber. Birch,
ash, and most or all kinds of hard wood will
invariably polcder post il cut any time in the
fall after the tree is frozen or before it is thor
oughly leaved out in the spring of the year.
But if cut after the sap in the tree is used up
in the growth of the tree, until freezing wealth
er again comes, it will in no instance produce
the powder post worm. When the tree is fro
zen and cut in this condition, the worm first
commences its ravages on the inside film of
the bark, and then penetrates the wood until
1t destroys the sap part thereof. i have found
the months of August, September and October
to be the three best in the year to cut hard
wood timber. If cut in these months the tim
cut in the winter months. have, by weigh
ing timber, found that of equal quality got out
for joiners' tools, is much heavier when cut
and got out in the above named months than
in the winter and spring months, and it is not
SO liable to crack. You may cut a tree in Sep
tember, and another in the .old' of the moon
in February following, and let them remain,
tree you will find it sound and unhurt, while
the one last cut is scarcely fit for firewood.
from decay. This 1 know by experience. |
know of several buildings the frames of which
were cut in the 'oid' of the moon in February,
principally of beach timber, now literally eat
en- up by the powder-post worm while other
timber, cut before the frost came remains per-
fectly sound without the least mark of a worm.
Chestnut timber for building will last longest,
provided the bark be taken off. Hemlock and
pine ought to be cut before being hard frozen,
although they do not powder-post yet if they
are cut in the middle of the winter or in the
spring of the year, and the bark is not taken
of, the grub will Immediately commence its
ravages between the bark and the wood. |
have walnut timber on hand which has been
cut from one to ten years, with the bark on,
which was designed for axe -helves and OK bows,
and not worm is to be found therein; it was
cut between the first OF August and the first of
November. l have other pieces of the same
timber cut in the winter months, mot two years
old, and they are entirely destroyed, being full
of powder post and grub worms. Within the
last ten or twelve years have stated the re-
suit OF my observation on, and experience of,
TO many of my neighbors and others and all
who have made the trial are satisfied that the |
above statement is correct. Others more in
credulous follow traditions 1t is a fact which |
is beyond contradiction that when there is the
least sap in timber ii is the most durable and
solid, and will, when seasoned, be the heav-
lest. And l am fully persuaded that nine
named, will go further than ten cut in the win
ter months. 1t will burn clearer, the Goals
will be more solid, and they will retain their
heat double the length of time. Who does not |
know that wood cut in the winter and suffered
to remain in the log, or exposed to the wealth |
er, is of but little value especially beach, /
birch, maple, &c; being so far decayed it rath-
er holders away than burns, making no Goals |
and giving little heat. Hoop poles ought to |
be cut before frost comes, and they will last
three times as long as when cut in the win
ter, and will remain free from worms. The
late Mr.. Leonard Kennedy OF Hartford, Conn.,,
stated to ME some twelve years since that he
had lost more or less walnut timber yearly,
which he was in the habit of purchasing for
screws, printing presses, vices, &C., by its
er-posting, although he had been partic-
u lar to have it cut far as possible In the
sold' of the moon in February. and he inquir-
ed of me il could inform him how to pre-
vent il. told him to order his timber cut IN