What is the best way to pre-treat new yellow-cedar posts before installation?

Hi all:
I'm new to this forum...so thanks in advance to all the experts and log-cabin enthusiasts!!

I'm restoring an old log cabin in the Pacific NW (in the mountains just north of Vancouver, BC, Canada)...a very wet, rainy climate. We are going to replace all the base posts with yellow cedar. My questions concern the best way to prep and treat the posts before they are placed in the ground.

Questions:
1- should the post-hole be based filled with gravel and/or a concrete paving stone for the post to rest on? Or is it OK to just put the post resting on hard-pan soil underneath?
2- is there a recommended way to treat the cut end of the post to prevent it wicking up moisture? I have heard the classic method is to blacken the end with a torch. Is there a better, alternative method?
3- any other recommendations to prep the hole or pre-treat the post before installation?

Thanks in advance to the forum members!