i
il!-
if it remains uncut beyond the space of about forty years.’ ” (Gen. Rep. of Scotland, p. 218.) Where
there is a considerable tra c t of copsewood, it is common to divide it into portions, in number according
to the period of cutting. These are to be cut in rotation, so tliat when the last portion is cut over, the
first is again ready for cutting.
5921. The seasonfor cvtting the kinds of trees whose barks are not made use of, is winter and early in
sp rin g ; but th e oak and other trees which are peeled, are left till the middle of April or May. Birch
and larch woods will peel nearly a month eanier than th e oak. Should th ere be no frost, birch and
larch may be peeled about th e beginnmg of A p ril; but the birch is commonly allowed to stand till July.
If possible, oaks should be barked by the middle of June, as every ton of bark taken off after the 1st of
July will be deficient two cwt. per ton, compared with the same quantity taken off in May or early in
June.
5922. The termination of cutting is generally fixed for the 15th day of July, and after this date there
should not be a single stool of oak wood cut that is intended for th e growth ; and as soon as possible after
the 15th, the whole of the wood and bark should be carried away; nor should either horse or cart be
i ermitted to enter it after th a t period, for after the beginning of August, oaks make what is termed a
,ammas growth, and the future prosperity and health of th e coppice, in a great measure, depend on the
first year’s growth, as far as regards form and vigour of the shoots. {Forester's Guide, 69.)
5923. The best mode of cutting evidently th a t of using a saw, and cutting the shoots over in a slanting
direction close by th e surface. W'hen the stool, after having been cut several times, has acquired considerable
diameter, it is customary in th e midland counties, Marshall states, to hollow it out in the centre,
from a notion that by rotting away the central roots, th e circumferential stems will grow more vigorously,
and become as it were separate plants. This is in fact the case in very old copses. F or several
cuttings, however, it must evidently be the safer policy to keep th e stool highest in the middle to throw
off the rain, and preserve it sound.
.5924. Monteath says, “ it will be found, upon experiment, perfectly evident, th a t stools are best when
dressed down to the surface of tho ground (taking care always not to loosen the hark from th e root, or
allow it to be peeled offin the smallest degree below th e earth, but rounded down level to it), and that
these stools will send forth th e most vigorous shoots, and be the stoutest and best throughout the age of
th e coppice.” {Forester's Guide, From the late season a t which the trees to be barked are
generally cut, they often receive considerable injury, both from that circumstance, and the manner in
which the operation is performed. Monteath appears to us to have furnished th e best directions for
executing the work in a safe m anner. Ho first sends a person furnished with an instrument w ith a sharp
cutting edge {Jig. 408.) through the copse, whose business is “ to trample down the long grass or foggage
all round th e root, and then, to make a circular incision into the bark so deep as to reach the wood, at
about 1 in. above the surface Of th e e a rth ; thus the bark, when taken off, will injure no part of th at which
is below the circular incision.”
5925. The root ofth e tree being thus prepared, th e cutters ought to proceed to their part of the work,
not with an axe, however, as is most generaUy recommended, but with a saw; because, in cutting with
the axe, unless the root of the tree be so small in diameter as to be severed in one or two strokes at most,
th e axe loosens th e root to such a degree, that it not only loses the present year’s growth, but often fails
altogether to grow, "rherefore, if the diameter of the root be 6 in., or upwards, it should always be cut
with a cross-cut saw ; entering the saw about half an inch above where the circular incision has been
made into the bark, if a small tree ; b u t if the tree be 10 in., or 12 in., or more in diameter, the saw ought
to be entered 2 in. above it.
5926. There are two advantages to be derived from- cutting with the saw : it has no tendency to loosen
th e root of the tree , but leaves it in such a condition as to be more easily and properly dressed; it also
saves a portion of the wood th a t would otherwise be destroyed by the axe. On no pretence should oaks
of 6 in. diameter be cut with an axe, but always with a saw. Having cut through the tree with a saw,
take a sharp adze, and round the edges of the stool or root, going close down to th e surface of the earth,
taking with the adze both bark and wood, sloping it up towards the centre of the stool, taking particular
care always that the bark and wood both slope alike, as ifth e y formed one solid body, being sure always
th a t the bark be not detached from the root. An objection has been made to this mode of cutting with
the saw, as taking up too much time; but I have found that two mon with a cross-cut saw, kept in good
order, will cut as much as two men will with an axe. {Forester's Guide, p. 58.)
5927. Branches and spray. Disbarked timber is prepared for sale by being sorted into straight poles of
th e largest size, stakes and other pieces fit for palings, faggots, fuel, &c. T h e unbarked wood is similarly
so rted ; and affords, where there is much hazel or ash, cord-wood or bundles of clean shoots for
making packing crates, hampers, &c., poles for hops, larger poles for fences, rails, paling-stakes, stakes
and shoots for hurdles, besom-stuff, spray for distillation, and a variety of other objects according to the
local demand, or th e opportunity of supplying a distant market by land-carriage. The brush or spray of
non-resinous trees is called in some places ton-wood, and is used for distilling the pyroligneous acid used
in bleachfields and calico printworks. “ When wood of this description is sent to Glasgow, where there
are extensive works for the purpose of distilling it, it sells readily a t from IZ. 2s. to U. 10s. per to n ; but
when there are largo cuttings, particularly of young woods, it is worth while to erect boilers near the
wood to distil it, as these boilers can be erected a t no great expense, and in this case the liquid is easily
carried in casks to where it is consumed, a t less expense than th e rough timber could b e ; of course it
will pay much better. Small wood of this description is also used for charcoal: but, in distilling it, there
is part of it made into charcoal, which will supply the demand of that article, so that it is by far the most
profltable way, when there is any great quantity to dispose of, to erect boilers and distil i t; unless whero
th e local situation of the wood will admit of its being shipped a t a small expense, and carried to where
th e works mentioned are carried on. All kinds of wood will give the extract in question, except fir ;
b u t oak, ash, Spanish chestnut, and birch, are the best.” {Forester's Guide, p. 155.) The process for
preparing pyroligneous acid will be found described in the Erun/c. o f Agric. §4039., and in the Gard. Mag.,
vol. ii. p. 251. Where tihe oak grows slowly, as in th e Highlands, the but ends of th e poles are used
for spokes for chaise-wheels. “ Long spokes are from 30 in. to 32 in. by 3 Jin . broad, and IJ i" - thick ;
and the short ones, for the same purpose, from 22 in. to 24 in. long, and the same sizes otherwise. Cartwheel
spokes, from 26in. to 28in. long, 4 in . broad by 2 in . thick. These are the sizes they require to
stand when rough-blocked from the axe. Small wood, when sold for this purpose, brought, in 1820, 2s.
a cubic foot, measured down to 3 in. square.” {Monteath.)
5928. I n somc cases copscwoods are sown with grass seeds, and pastured by sheep, horses, and cattle.
Some admit the animals the fifth year after the last cutting, others not till th e eighth ; but Monteath
thinks this should never be done till the fifteenth year. If the ground is properly covered with trees, it
can seldom be advantageous to admit any species of stock unless during a month or two in winter.
5929. I n the operation o f barking trees, “ the barkers are each furnished with light short-handled
mallets, made of hard wood, about 8 in. or Din. long, 3 in. square at the face, and the other end sharpened
like a wedge, in order tho more easily to make an incision in the bark, which is done all along the side
of the tre e which happens to be uppermost, iu a s tra ig h t line: and as two barkers are generally employed
a t one tree, it is proper that, while the one is employed in making an incision with the mallet, as above,
th e other, being furnished with the barking-bill {Jig. 408.), cuts the bark across the tree, in lengths of
from 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. Having thus made the incision in the bark, both ways, the barkers being also
each furnished with peeling-irons {Jigs. 404. to 407.), if the tree or piece of timber to be barked is such as
the two barkers can easily lift one end of it, this is placed on two pieces of wood, 3 ft. long, and called
h o rse s; these are about tiie thickness of a paling-stake, and have a forked end on each about 6 in. long.
the other end sharpened to go into th e ground; two of these horses are placed in a triangular form
against one another, one end of the piece to be peeled being raised on the horses, the two barkers
standing opposite to each other, and entering the peeling-irons into the incision made by the mallet
and pressing the iron downwards between the bark and the timber. In this way it will be found very
easy to take the hark off m one whole piece round the tr e e ; and, if possible, let these pieces be as long
as the incisions made m th e bark. In some cases, where there is not much sap, the bark may require a
little beating with the square end of the mallet, to Ccause it to separate easily from the wood- but the
less beating with the mallet the better, as it has a tendency to blacken the bark in the inside or fleshy
pa rt of it, so that, when th e tanner sees it, he supposes it to be damaged, and undervalues it. The
branches o fth e tree being previously all lopped off with the axe, the persons, in number according, to
th e extent of the work, with th e bill smooth all the branches, cutting them in lengths of from 2 ft. 6 in.
to 3 ft., down as small as 1 in. m circumference. The barkers, principally v/omen, are each provided
ith a smooth hard stone of about 6 lbs. or 8 lbs. weight, beside which they sit down, and having collected
quantity of saplings, branches, or twigs, they hoid it on the stone with one hand, and with the mallet
in 1 the other, they beat the piece till the bbaarrkk tbe.e spilt s from " the ' wood,,- ..-.. from ..........-..........the one end ot— to ___ the ot „„..other,ot..
and
taking it off alUfie length of the piece, if possible, then lay it regularly aside, till a bundle of considerable
•rk. “ The point most particularly to be observed in this art is. p utting the bark up
i by putting the bark upon what is called the lofts or ranges. These are erected by
of th e loppings, called horses,the one 3 ft.long,the other 2ft.6in.,and driving
formed.”
5930. Dry ing the bar).
to d ry ; winch is done b
taking forked pieces ot uqucu uu.bcb, luc uiiu u IL. 1UUJ5, LUC OLIICI ^ IL. OIU., ailU Uf
each about 4 in. into the ground, opposite one another, about 2 ft. asunder in the breadth, and as i
betwixt them, lengthwise, as will admit long small pieces of wood to be-put upon them, and as many of
these must be put together as wiil hold the bark of every day’s peelings. These ought to be erected
in as dry and elevated a spot as can be found in the margin of the wood, or on the outside of it. The
bark being carried and laid on this loft, is arranged so as to have the thick ends of it all laid to the high
side of the range, with th e small bark laid on to the thickness of about 6 in., and the bark taken oft' the
largest of the wood which serves for a covering laid regularly on the to p : the lofts or ranges having a
declivity of about 6 in., the rain will run off them readily ; and if properly put up in this manner, the
covering will keep out a great deal of rain. After the bark has lain in this state for three days, if the
weather is good and dry, it ought to be all turned over, and the small bark spread out, so as not to allow
it to stick together, which, if much pressed, it is apt to d o : and if it does so with the natural sap in it, it
has a chance of moulding, which is extremely hurtful to the bark, and lessens it both in weight and in
value. After the bark has stood on the ranges about eight or ten days, if the weather be good, it may
either be p u t into a house or a shed, or, if intended to be put up into a stack, it may now be done.” A
stack o fba rk ought never to exceed 8 ft. in width, and 12ft. or 15ft. in height, raised in the middle like
a haystack. If it is to stand any length of time in the stack, it ought to be thatched, and in th a t state
may remain all winter. The greatest care ought to be taken to preserve the colour of the inner parts
of the bark, because the merchant or tanner judges of its value chiefly by its colour. Before being put
into the stack, the natural sap ought to he dried out of it, in order to prevent its fermenting; because, if
a fQe rmenOtaTt.ixo:..n. .tak1es pl ace .. ..^ stack, it generally goes through and spoils the whole.
The same mode of treatment ' 'ill do for all kinds of bark as well as the oak ; but the birch has an outer
or shredy skin upon it, that is rejected by th e tanner, and should be peeled ofl',
5931. Chopping the bark. “ When tlie bark is ready for th e tanner, it has to undergo th ew o rk o f cAo/i-
ping, which is done by driving two or more stakes into the ground, with a fork on th e upper end of each,
leaving them about 2 ft. 6 in. iiigh, and laying a long small piece of wood across between the two, where
a number of people stand. T h e bark being laid down behind them, they take it up in their hands and
lay it on the cross tre e ; and then, with a sharp whittle or bill they cut it into small pieces, about 3 in.
in length ; when this is done, it is trampled into bag.s, which hold about two cwt. each. In these bags it
it weighed when sold in tons, cwts., quarters, and pounds, and in the above manner delivered to the
merchant or tanner.” {Forester’s Guide, p. 199.)
5932. Pollardtrees,v;\\\ch maybe considered in most cases as inji
injurious deformities, are lopped at stated
periods like copsewoods, and the top, whether to be barked or otlu
)therwise, is to be treated in all respects
like th a t of copse.
5933. The period at ivhich trees arcfcUcd, for the sake of their timber, is determined by various causes.
By maturity of growth, or where the annual increase is so trifling as to render their standing no longer
worth while m point of profit ; when wanted for private use or sale; or when defects in the tree, or new
arrangements m its situation, point out the necessity of its removal. “ A timber estate,” Marshall
observes, “ should frequently be gone over _* Jiy
by somc person of judgment ; who, let the price and demand rtS.sxliroOT L. ro ...KroL rtl __ __rolroi-iro.____1_ _ . - . . . * r o .
for timber be what th tym a y ,o u g h t to mark every‘tree which wears the ajipearance'of decay. Ifth e
demand be brisk and the price high, he ought to go two steps farther, and mark not .only such as are
liiil-grown, but such also as are near perfection.” In trees, as in th e human species, there are three
stages, youth, manhood, and old age. In the period of youth, the growth is rapid ; in manhood, that
growth is matured ; and in old age, it begins to decay.
5934. Themost profitable season fo r felling Umber is a t what may thus be termed th e beginning of
manhood. _ After that time, though the tree may appear sound and healthy, its annual increase is so
little, th at It would be more profitable to cut it down and replant. The numlier of years th a t a tree may
stand, before it arrives at this period, must vary in difi'erent soils and situations; but the period itself may
easily be ascertained, by the annual shoots, the state of the bark, and by taking the circumference of
the tree a t the same place for two or three successive seasons, and comparing the difference. In the view
of profiting from timber produce, it is of great consequence to cut down plantations a t maturity. Many
trees will stand half, others a whole, century after they are full-grown, appear quite healthy, and, at the
same time, make little or no increase of timber. But there ure particular cases, arising from the nature
and state of the markets, where it may even be more profitable to cut timber before it is arrived a t a full
growth. {Treat, on Country Residences, vol. ii. p. 577.)
5935. Preparations fo r felling.
It has been strongly recommended to disbark trees a year or more
before - they - are taken down, , —in — consequence sequence ofthe result resi
of certain experiments commcnceii by Buffon in
1737. In May of th at j-ear, he disbarked three o oak a k trees, , 40 ..................... ft. in height,................ where ........... they ............................
stood. In the
course of three years they died, and, on cutting them down, the outer wood was found hard and dry, and
the internal wood moist and softer. After trying its strength, &c., he concludes, that “ timber which has
been disbarked and dried while standing, will weigh heavier, and prove stronger, than timber cut in its
bark. Bosc, and other French authors (in Cours Compì. d'Agr. &c., art. Aubier, Buis, Quercus, &c.)
strongly recommend this practice, which is followed in some places on the Continent, and in this country,
with th e oak and larch ; but not, as far as we have learned, with any other tree. Monteath finds it by
far the most efficient way of seasoning larch-timber. He barked some trees in spring, but did not cut
them down till autumn, and others stood in the peeled state for two years. Al'ter various and extensive
trials, he is “ decidedly of opinion, that the larch treated in this way at thirty years of age will be found
equally durable with a tree cut down a t th e age of fifty years, and treated in the ordinary way.”
{lorester's Guide, p. 152.)
5936. As ihe dry rot {Merùlius luchrymans Schum.) is found to arise in a great measure from want of
seasoning, or at least to proceed with th e greatest rapidity in timber not well seasoned, this practice seems
to deserve adoption in th a t point of view. {Encyc. Bril. Suppl., art. Dry Rot.) A number of artificial
methods have been proposed for the prevention or cure of this destructive production: the most approved
modern recipe is the saturated solution of corrosive sublimate, first applied by Mr. Kvaii. 7'he details
4 E 3