This process is useful for such timbers as are partly placed in the ground, such as posts or timber used in the foundation of buildings, as the carbonic coat or charcoal covering which incrusts it by this process, preserves for many years what otherwise from continual moisture would sooner decay. The method of doing it most generally in use, is to apply actual fire to the part intended to be charred; by lighting a fire around it and letting the timber bum till its surface is sufficiently charred, and then either pouring water over it, or covering it from the air, it will be found to be burned a small way below the surface.

Another Method

By giving a coat of pitch over the part intended to 6e charred, and setting a light to it, let it burn out, keeping it turned so that the fire shall have effect on all sides, and if necessary repeat the process, till it is sufficiently burned.

Note. - A coat of pitch is sometimes substituted in the place of charring, but that is far inferior in its effects: sometimes after the charring a coat of pitch is added, but that, in my opinion, is not necessary when it has been well charred.