THE SCOTCH FIR. 75 



improving thelandfcape in naked andfterile 

 tracls, though it is fufpe&ed that the tim- 

 ber will never be fo valuable as that in the 

 natural forefts. No wood is at prefent ufed 

 among us in a quantity approaching that 

 of the fir j which, under the name of deal, 

 is the principal timber employed about 

 buildings, for flooring, planks, beams, 

 rafters, and the like ; alfo for the upper- 

 deck works of men of war, and for various 

 domeftic purpofes. It has the advantage 

 of being cheap, light, and eafily worked ; 

 but it fplits readily, and is extremely in- 

 flammable. Deals are red, yellow, or 

 white, according to their growth, or the 

 different fpecies of fir whence they are 

 procured. Almoft the whole of our con- 

 fumption comes from Norway, or the coun- 

 tries bordering the Baltic ; the firs of our 

 own growth being fit for little more than 

 pods and rails. Thofe in the native forefts 

 of Scotland, indeed, are to be excepted, but 

 thefe afford a fmall fupply. 



Befides the value of their timber, the 

 9 firs 



