DEFECTS IN THE ECONOMIC PKOPEBTIES OF WOOD. 151 



rock of the Cotswold Hills ; on shallow soils in situations 

 that are exposed to the south-west wind it is curved, as in 

 Germany. Tr.] 



Curvature of stem occurs also in young broadleaved trees, 



l-'iir. ill'. ' );ik compass-timber. A 15 is termed the tin/itta or 

 ( Laslett.) 



and these should be removed in the early thinnings, even 

 though, as is often the case, they are the most vigorous com- 

 ponents of the crop. Poplars and willows in windswept plains 

 all bend towards the north-east, but are straight and not curved. 



On steep slopes all 

 species of trees have a 

 curved base, the convex 

 side of which is turned 

 towards the valley ; this 

 may be due to the sliding 

 downwards of the snow 

 in winter and its con- 

 sequent pressure on 

 saplings and poles. The 

 upper part of the stem is usually straight, and is vertical in 

 conifers, but frequently oblique in broadleaved trees, oak, 

 birch, etc., that grow out towards the light. The curved base 

 of such trees may be useful for special purposes, but otherwise 

 reduces the value of the timber. 



[There was before the construction of iron ships a great 

 demand for suitably curved or compass oak timber for the 



