Very interesting article on Atlantic salmon in April Smithsonian magazine. One thing I did not know before is that they spawn in fall, and eggs hatch in spring. When they are very small, they are called fry. A bit larger, they are called parr. When the parr turn silver they are called smolts.The smolts go to sea, which requires a change in their kidneys. After they have been in sea a year, they are called grilse.

Thanks for the heads-up on the article, Dr. Bill...I haven't read it yet. I'll make sure I don't miss it.
Haven't been reading Smithsonian cover-to-cover like I used to.

The Only WO'N!

In same magazine, an article about building a replica of Thoreau's cabin on Walden Pond described use of very old techniques in building frame houses. A cruck frame uses naturally curved timbers to form and arch support the roof.

How many crucks could a woodchuck chuck
If a woodchuck could chuck crucks?

The crucks in the picture were perhaps nine inches by nine inches at base, and perhaps 15 feet tall. It would take a SuperWoodchuck to even move them a tiny bit.

i once read, that english ships, (in the age of wooden ones) were the best, because the english used the naturally shaped right angle, from where the trunk, turned and became a root, to re-enforce there lower hulls.. because the fibers of the wood actually made the angle, not 2 peices of wood in a joint, it was many times stronger.

I don't have smithsonian handy-- tell us more about what a cruck is.. is it from the root, or from naturally shaped branches?

I went to a wedding reception in Pennsylvania where undressed trees formed the supports of the dining area. It was like dining in a forest caught inside a huge hall.

And then there was the now-defunct Kapok Tree restaurant near Tampa, Florida. Least I think that was its name--some exotic, huge tree--and that restaurant was filled with trees, too.

All that natural beauty just sitting in the middles of and supporting the ceilings of dwelling and dining places. Wonder why it didn't catch on?

Best regards,
WordWoodchuck

naturally shaped branches

they were formed of naturally shaped oak trunks, I believe, Helen. The key fact about the ones I have seen is that this structure supports the roof directly from the ground, not built up off the walls,

Here’s a pic of a typical barn showing the massive and curved A-frames:
http://www.rogersavage.co.uk/cruckbarn/

Leigh in Worcestershire is said to have the grandest one in the UK, though I have only heard about that – it sounds stunning.

btw, the bits you were referring to in the construction of ships are called knees - isn't that perfectly expressive of the turn from the ship's hull to its deck?!

here's something I found that describes the Leigh barn - somewhere I think I have a book on traditional woodwork of this kind, but gawd knows where...

The Tithe Barn, adjacent to the church and Leigh Court, is reputed to be the largest medieval full cruck barn in England. It was built towards the end of the 13c for the storage of tithes. It is over 150 ft. long, 33 ft. 6 ins. wide and 34 ft. high, has an acre of roof and two gabled wagon bays on the side facing the church. The roof is supported by 9 full cruck trusses and 2 half-hipped trusses at either end. There are 2 further trusses in each bay. The barn was recently rebuilt by English Heritage. It is open to the public from Thursday to Sunday inclusive during the Summer months.

http://website.lineone.net/~geoff_a_wright/amenities.htm

Dear of troy: Here is the URL to the article in question. Unfortunately a full page picture of a very large livingroom/study/library that had a pair of crucks sixteen feet high, spliced to an inverted V with peak over forty feet above the floor. The crucks are curved about like parentheses. As far as I can tell, they are not made by lamination. Looks pretty, but I would not want one. Horrible to heat, and enormous waste space. There could have been a second floor, and an attic above that.

http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues02/apr02/timber.html

I think you've just come to the crucks of the matter...