148 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
small extent utilises the small ash, and the outlet in this direction 
is of little moment, although at the same time it must be said that 
in this direction there exists a field for consumption of small ash. 
The peculiarly pleasing figure that is producible from the manu- 
facture and polish of ash makes any ornament or fancy article 
most attractive. It is impossible, when referring to the fancy box 
and ornament trade, to omit making mention of the fact that 
cannot be overlooked, that in any district of the country where 
one may desire to purchase an ornamental article as a reminiscence 
of a visit, the words now too commonly engraved are to be found 
“* Made in Germany,” or some other Continental country, and even 
in the famed land of Burns the writer has been confronted in the 
very centre of the fancy box manufacturing trade with a fancy 
wood ornament displaying on it some event in the history of 
Scotia’s Bard, and in addition in some corner the ominous words 
above referred to neatly engraved. The remedy to counteract this 
condition of the fancy wood trade is to be found in two directions 
—first, such improvement in the mechanical appliances as will 
cheapen manufacture and production ; and second, by the stimu- 
lating of the popular mind to practise the sentiment of patriotism. 
Were the supply of such articles reasonably confined to home 
manufacture, the amount of small ash that would consequently be 
consumed would very materially affect its value, and to some 
extent remove a reproach, and mitigate the drug that it at present 
experiences in the market. Much ash wood that is at present 
forced into the pit-wood trade would thereby find a more remunera- 
tive outlet in the direction for which it is so admirably suited. 
The sycamore is the only description of wood that has fully 
maintained its position in the turning trade. The small wood — 
produced from heavy trees is a large item, and the same demand 
exists for this peculiarly fine wood for manufactured and turned 
work. The closeness of the grain makes it susceptible to a fine 
polish, and the pure white colour gives it great favour where a 
superior description of bobbin is necessary. The smallest size of 
wood is therefore utilised by the turner for the manufacture of 
small bobbins. The demand has, therefore, remained undiminished, 
the American production of bobbin coming specially in competi- 
tion with the more common quality of bobbin manufactured from 
such woods as beech, birch, or ash, has not so appreciably affected 
the sycamore. The same outlet, therefore, exists for our available 
supply, and consignments of very small wood are regularly sent to 
