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wrapped with overflow under her ample eaves. Builders, Ed Hopkins and Buzz Melville. Shaw Island, ca. 1980 |
"The world is much the poorer for the lost technologies of earlier times, where it was common knowledge, for example, exactly which wood was good for what.
I came across this translation of a Latin poem on the properties of firewood. It appeared as a letter to The Times on 1 March, 1929."
Hugh Johnson on Gardening; The Best of Tradescant's Diary. Johnson, Hugh.
The Royal Horticulture Society. London. 1993.
I came across this translation of a Latin poem on the properties of firewood. It appeared as a letter to The Times on 1 March, 1929."
"Beechwood fires are bright and clear, if the logs are kept a year.
Chestnut's only good, they say, if for long its laid away.
Make a fire of Elder tree, death within your house shall be.
But Ash new or Ash old is fit for a queen with a crown of gold.
Birch and Fir logs burn too fast; blaze up bright and do not last.
It is by the Irish said, Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mould; e'en the very flames are cold.
But Ash green or Ash brown is fit for a queen with a golden crown.
Poplar gives a bitter smoke, fills your eyes and makes you choke.
Apple wood will scent your room with an incense-like perfume,
Oaken logs, if dry and old, keep away the winter's cold.
But Ash wet or Ash dry a king shall warm his slippers by."
Hugh Johnson on Gardening; The Best of Tradescant's Diary. Johnson, Hugh.
The Royal Horticulture Society. London. 1993.
