NOTES AND QUERIES. 209 
RussiAN LARCH. 
The existence of a very superior and plentiful growth of larch 
timber in the forests of Northern Russia is well known, as ship- 
ments have been made to this market from time to time over a 
number of years. It is therefore a matter of some surprise 
that a more regular trade in this wood has not developed, 
for the shipments made from the White Sea ports carry all the 
good qualities of larch grown in the British Isles, whilst being 
cleaner and in much larger sizes. Larch is such a useful wood 
for so many purposes that a trade ought to spring up for the 
Russian production when it becomes better known. We have 
recently seen samples, polished and in the rough, which go far to 
recommend it as a wood for shipbuilding, wood-paving, and also 
for outside work, on account of its durability. It can, we under- 
stand, be supplied in the round or sawn 6 x 12 ins. downwards, 
in specifications following closely the requirements of buyers. 
The free-on-board prices at present asked are, we believe, from 
48 for the larger sizes and widths down to £6 for the smaller 
falling out sizes..— The Timber Trades Journal, February 18, 1905. 
HUNGARIAN ASH. 
This timber is rapidly becoming a considerable factor in the 
ash trade throughout the country, and as its qualities become 
better known, the demand is steadily growing. In comparison 
with English ash, the Hungarian timber has several points 
strongly in its favour, chief amongst these being its greater 
cleanness and freedom from knots. The trees are grown so 
closely in the forests that they grow rapidly upwards, and the 
young branches die off at once, leaving the stems clean and 
shapely, and when they are sawn up this absence of small inside 
knots is of great importance in cutting out shafts, poles, handles, 
etc. Another advantage is its white, milky colour and freedom 
from brown-heart, which is common in our native ash. The 
grain is dense and straight, and in the logs from the best districts 
it is of an exceedingly elastic character, and most admirably 
adapted for bending purposes. These logs, when first opened, 
1 That is, from 83d. to about 113d. per cubic foot. 
VOL. XIX. PART I. te) 
