with the hovels that the poor people in many parts of Britain, are obliged to content themselves with.

A Carniolian cottage, which may last without standing in need of any repairs for centuries, is thus reared. A beam of larch wood is squared and laid lengthwise in a small trench, made where the wall is to be reared, as far as the wall is meant to extend. Another beam of equal length is also squared, though of somewhat smaller dimensions, intended to form the top of the wall. Other beams are then squared and cut into equal lengths, the height of the intended wall. Upon each of these beams. which are intended to stand upright close by the side of each other, and thus form the wall, are cut a tenon at each end, and into the beam at bottom are cut mortoises, to receive these tenons at proper distances, and corresponding mortoises in the beam which is to be put at top. The uprights are then put into the mortoises in the sole beam, and leaving a blank for the door; and cutting the uprights at a proper height for windows, the top beam is put on above, and the whole driven down tight. Thus is formed one of the walls. The others are completed after the same manner with wonderful neatnefs and facility. Couples of the same wood are then placed on the walls to form the roof; and the whole is lathed over, and covered in with cingles of the same wood. The work is then finished. In a little time there oozes out from the pores of the wood, a kind of juice, at first brownish, which gradually becomes black. This serves as a kind of varnish, which at the same time fills up all the small crannies so as to cement the whole into one mafs, which

is equally impervious to rain and wind: nor is it in danger of catching fire; for if a flaming billet were laid upon, the roof, it would not be inflamed, but would resist fire till the billet was entirely consumed. I can form no idea of an habitation that could be obtained at a small expence for a poor man, which could in any degree be compared with this one.

Flooring, joisting, &c.

Enough has been said already to prove that no wood known in this part of the world, is so proper as the larix for joists, rafters, and beams of every sort, where strength, lightnefs, and durability are wanted in buildings. In all these points of vw it is much preferable to any kind of fir; and being a quicker grower, and more easily reared, it ought to be af forded at least as cheap as fir wood.

When sawed into deals, it is still in a higher degree to be preferred for flooring, because it shrinks much lefs, and is not, nearly so liable to be set on fire; not to mention its greater durability: so that there is no reason to doubt, but as soon as it comes to be sufficiently known, it will be invariably sub, stituted instead of fir for these purposes.

Windows, and doors, coach pannelling, &c. Sashes for windows are the most expensive part of an ordinary dwelling house at present, because no durable material has yet been discovered, of which the soles of the windows, especially, can be made, so that they stand in need of frequent repairs. In old times these were made of oak; but experience has discovered that oak when exposed to the vicifsitudes of weather, is as perifhable as fir; which last, as

being cheaper, is now invariably applied to that use. The larix on account of its incorruptibility is precisely the thing wanted; and because it neither fhrinks, nor warps, nor splits, it is rendered peculiarly proper for doors and other pannelled works, where neatnefs and closenefs are required, especial ly in such situations where great thickness or weight would be improper. It is therefore superior to ma hogony, and every other known wood for pannelling coaches, and other light thin works of the same kind.

Machinery.

It is of so much consequence for the true going of machinery, to have it made of wood that will not warp, that the operators find themselves in general reduced to the necefsity of making these for the most part of mahogony; the price of which being thus enhanced, from the great consumption of this article, it becomes a heavy additional charge to the cxpence of erecting extensive manufactures. But as larch wood fhrinks and warps lefs than mahogony, and is stronger and more durable, while it may be afforded at lefs than one tenth of the price, whenever it comes into general use for this purpose it will be a great national advantage.

Barrel staves.

Much money is sent out of Britain annually for barrel staves, and heading, which as soon as larch wood becomes common, will no longer be necessary; as it is in every respect better calculated for that purpose than any other known wood in Europe. Not only in regard to diminishing the first cost will

this be a great saving *; but a much greater benefit will be derived from the diminution in regard to leakage that this will produce; for as the kinds of wood that have been hitherto employed for this purpose, are more liable to be affected by the vicifsitudes of the weather than it is, the leakage in larix cafks will be greatly less than in others. For these reasons, in regard to valuable liquors especially, the benefit be derived from larix casks would be immense.

If ever the herring fisheries be allowed to go forward in Scotland, this will be an important improvement to them; as it might be reared in the Highlands in immense quantities, at scarcely any ex

pence.

Ship building.

In regard to fhip building, tarch wood pofsefses advantages above all others, that ought to render it almost an object of idolatry to the British nation.

It is established upon very good authority, that it resists the worm much more in warm climates than any other European wood. It is much more dufable than oak, is lighter, and fhrinks much when used as plank, so as to require lefs caulking,is lefs apt to fly into splinters during an engagement, and less liable to take fire. These qualites point it out as superior to British oak itself for plank for ship building; and as it can be reared on any soil,

* On account of the lefs price of larix than other staves, the saving to a porter brewer, including tuns and cafks, on first entering upda business in London; would not be less than several thousand pounds.

and almost in any situation, and grows much more rapidly than any other kind of wood, fhould ever the culture of this tree become as general as it ought to be, it will render this nation wholly independent of all others for the important article of ship timber. For although bended ribs, and kneed joints are essential articles in the timbers for the construction of vefsels on the plan universally adopted at present, yet a time may come, and is probably at no great distance, when it will be found that crooked timber is not in the smallest degree requisite for the construction of vefsels for any purpose whatever; and if ever that time does come, it will be discovered also, that the timbers as well as the piank may be made entirely of larch wood. At Archangel in Russia, where this timber abounds, we are informed that no other wood is employed for hip building, and that also at Venice, according to Mr Rritchie British resident there*.

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Many other uses to which this timber might be applied could be here enumerated; but the aboveare sufficient to convince every one, that if the larch tree can be reared easily, and grows with rapidity in this country, it ought to become an object of universal attention; and that the culture of it should be pushed forward as quickly as pofsible; for every moment of delay must be a retardment of the prosperity of this country. In a future paper I shall beg leave to offer a few remarks on the mode of rearing this timber, and the benefits that may be derived from it as an object of culture.

*Memoirs of the soceity of arts London, vol. vii, VOL. Xvii.