THE MANUFACTURE OF HOME-GROWN TIMBER. Poy. 
direction mostly of boards and planks, which in their production 
require no great amount of study or skill, the tree being’ merely 
planked to the desired thickness without having regard to the 
nature of the bend. 
Cabinetmakers consume considerable quantities of choice ash 
wood, and for this purpose the cutting of the tree on the quarter 
is a desiderata. The figure of the ash thus shown, although not 
to be compared with the oak, has a peculiarly rich and satiny 
appearance. The same industry consumes its full share of second 
class wood, in the shape of turned pieces of furniture ; and being 
used in short lengths, it largely assists in utilising waste made 
from the manufacture of more important articles. 
The trade which consumes perhaps more ash than any other is 
that of the wheelmaker, for felloes. These being segments’ of a 
circle, must be cut from trees having the necessary crook. The 
breadth of felloes vary by half inches from 2 to 6 inches, and the 
tree is planked with the bend to these thicknesses, after which the 
pattern is drawn, and the planks reconverted by means of the 
band-saw. A tree with the proper crook entails little or no waste, 
but this cannot at all times be obtained, and considerable quantities 
of odd pieces are consequently created, and to utilise them recourse 
is had to the turner, who manufactures bobbins, etc., from them. 
In cutting out felloes it is necessary that only the very crooked 
timber be used. Cartwrights consume considerable quantities, 
but the increasing price of this wood, consequent on its scarcity, 
has of recent years sent them to the elm for the principal part of 
their wants. The common or smaller class of ash timber is used 
in some districts for staves for dryware casks, which vary in 
length from one foot upwards. In other districts it is exclusively 
used for turning purposes, while small branches and very rough 
pieces are utilised for pit-props. The coppice wood of the ash is 
also a valuable commodity, its yielding nature making it peculiarly 
suitable for crate-making, and for this purpose larger quantities 
are consumed, and commands for it a remunerative price. It also 
commands the highest rates for poles in hop-growing districts, and 
is largely grown in the south for this purpose. 
In the manufacture of ash less skill is necessary for the utilisa- 
tion of the whole tree, and, with the exception of the cutting out 
of felloes and handles, the exercise of great ingenuity is not 
required, as is the case in the conversion of the oak. 
Turning to the elm, we have two kinds to deal with, viz., the 
