140 MANAGEMENT AND SALE OF TIMBER. 



it is seldom used in first-class buildings ; spruce, on the other 

 hand, is comparatively better of quality, and in some cases 

 answers for roofing buildings, such as breweries and stables 

 in which, if the wood is at full maturity when cut, it is less 

 liable to dry rot. 



Birch of first-rate quality has greatly advanced in price 

 within the last few years, particularly such of it as is grained 

 like maple, for which 2s. per foot is readily obtained. Small 

 and inferior sorts are used principally for turnery purposes, and 

 is sold by weight ; also for charring either for household use, or for 

 powder and forges. There are certain growths of birch of a rare, 

 artistic-like appearance, surpassing all that the hand of the most 

 skilful carver could possibly execute. Such growths are only de- 

 tected by the experienced eye ; those unacquaintedwith them may 

 pass them by without observation. All that is necessary to do 

 in procuring them is to peel off the bark early in spring, or at 

 least as soon as the sap flows ; if later in the season, where al- 

 burnum has begun to form, the wood is darker, and not so bright 

 and shining when polished. Birch thus procured is employed 

 in various ways, such as for fancy furniture for lobbies, pedes- 

 tals for flower vases, tables for grottos, &c. The writer has seen 

 birch of this description considered fit only for fuel, and worth 

 only a few pence, when properly dressed, seasoned, and var- 

 nished, become worth several pounds. 



Sycamore. — For choice cuttings higher prices are realised 

 than for any other plain sort of home-grown wood. In Novem- 

 ber 1863, a sycamore tree near Newbattle was sold by auction 

 which realised 5s. per foot. A few years ago several sycamore 

 trees were sold on the estate of Ochtertyre, in Perthshire, 

 which brought from 4s. 6d. to os. per foot. This class of timber 

 is used principally in making musical instruments ; the prin- 

 cipal buyers are from Manchester. Another class of sycamore 

 is in request by joiners for furniture-making, for which high 

 prices are also obtained ; but the chief and great demand is that 

 for turnery purposes, and for which from 2s. 6d. to 3s. per foot 

 is given. The demand for this latter class of wood is steadily 

 on the increase, owing doubtless to the increase of machinery. 

 When we take into account the rapidity of the growth of syca- 

 more, combined with the ready market of it, and the high prices 

 which it obtains, theie appears every inducement to plant it 

 extensively. 



Ash. — There is no species of forest tree so much in general 

 esteem as ash. Of its merits we need not speak, as all who 

 ever handled a tool well know them. For the best quality of 

 ash high prices are given. Carpenters, mill-wrights, wheel- 

 wrights, joiners, coopers, coach builders, and ship builders, are 

 each equally desirous of purchasing ash. It is extensively used 



