128 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



But there will never be a timber famine, for new substitutes are 

 being constantly found for timber. Many here must remember 

 when beds, which are now chiefly made of iron, were made of 

 wood, and when wooden ships were the rule as they are now the 

 exception, when corrugated iron was little known for roofing, 

 nor reinforced concrete for harbour piles. We who have to live 

 by the sale of the article sometimes endeavour to take a little 

 comfort from the contemplation of the incoming of wooden 

 mantelpieces and wall-linings, or even, afar off, of wooden pave- 

 ments ; but these changes in the direction of the further use of 

 timber form a poor compensation for uses that have been 

 dispensed with, and, along with these changes, new sources of 

 supply are constantly being brought nearer, while State con- 

 servation and compulsory replenishing are being insisted upon 

 in Burmah, in the United States and Canada, in Sweden, in 

 Germany, in fact, practically everywhere. Indeed, I think it is 

 only a question of time when the whole world, with its steadily 

 growing population, will be as assured of its supply of timber 

 and at a moderate price, as it is at present of its supply of wheat. 

 Taking it for granted, then, that common-class timber will 

 reach no abnormal figure in the times to come, and that we have 

 no intention of cultivating the finer varieties for house finishing 

 purposes either in pines or hardwoods, let us consider what we 

 should grow, what market demands we should endeavour to 

 meet, and how we should put our products on the market when 

 ripe. In considering these matters, I hope it will not be supposed 

 that I shall look upon them from the standpoint of one who deals 

 chiefly in foreign timber. I may frankly say that I should 

 much prefer to deal in timber grown in my own country to 

 timber grown anywhere else, but it cannot be got, at least not 

 good enough to satisfy the specification of the ordinary Scotch 

 architect, who calls for timber free from shakes, sapwood, 

 knots, and, as is sometimes added, " all other imperfections " ; 

 neither can it be got in sufficient quantity, nor in anything 

 like great enough dimensions. I well remember when there 

 was as much home timber sold by some merchants as there 

 was foreign, and the signboards usually read, "home and 

 foreign timber merchant." These days have now passed, but 

 some day may see them return again, at least, let us hope so. 



In taking a perfectly detached view of the case, and making 

 a large and generous allowance for improvement in quality 



