While the fuel smolders,
the tar stews out of the wood, falling into the iron pot, and from
there is put into whatsoever vessels may be most convenient in
which to carry it over seas.
THE MAKING OF CLAPBOARDS
There is far greater labor required in the making of clapboards,
and it is of a wearisome kind; but Captain Newport declares that
clapboards made of our Virginia cedar are far better in quality
than any to be found in England. Therefore it is Captain Smith
keeps as many men as he may, employed in this work, which is more
tiring than difficult.
The trunks of the trees are cut into lengths of four feet, and
trimmed both as to branches and bark. An iron tool called a frow,
which is not unlike a butcher's cleaver, is then used to split
the log into thin strips, one edge of which is four or five times
thicker than the other.
You will understand better the method by picturing to yourself the
end of a round log which has been stood upright for convenience of
the workmen. Now, if you place a frow in such a position that it
will split the thicknesses of an inch or less from the outer side,
you will find that the point of the instrument, which is at the
heart of the tree, must come in such manner as to make the splint
very thin on the inner edge.
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