TIMBER-ASSORTMENTS. 237 



their mid-diameter should be at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) 

 without bark, including the bark, 7 inches (18 centimeters). 



In most cases the longer and straighter the logs and the 

 greater their diameter at the smaller end, the greater is their 

 value. Logs are used chiefly in the different building-indus- 

 tries, but also to a small extent for implements, sails of 

 windmills, stamping-hammers, etc. ; as cloven-wood, for 

 which only straight-fibred timber is admissible, they are 

 rarely required in full length ; as sawn material they are 

 used chiefly in building ships, barges and boats, also for 

 bridges and in mines. 



Butts are round pieces of stems or of exceptionally large 

 boughs, usually cut from the shorter and thicker part of either. 

 A butt should be less than 23 feet (7 meters) in length, but at 

 least 7 inches (18 centimeters) in mid-diameter measured 

 without the bark. Whilst therefore in length a butt is 

 surpassed by logs, its chief value lies in its larger diameter. 



Butts are chiefly coniferous, as broadleaved timber is now- 

 exported mostly in logs. They arc used for piles, mining 

 purposes, railway-sleepers ; shorter pieces (partly curved) in 

 shipbuilding ; also in the construction of bridges and roads. 

 In machinery they are in demand only slightly for rests, or 

 sockets, anvil-stocks, pounding- troughs, etc. They are largely 

 used as cloven-wood by the stave-maker, cooper, wheelwright, 

 turner, shingle-maker, etc., also for wood used for musical 

 instruments, gunstocks, etc. Butts are, however, used chiefly 

 for sawn timber, and the bases of coniferous stems to form butts 

 for sawmills in lengths of 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 feet, 

 those from 12 to 16 feet long (3J to 5 meters) being preferred. 



Wood also of oak, beech, poplar, alder for cigar-boxes, and 

 other kinds, is cut into butts of similar dimensions for 

 sawing. 



iii. Poles. 



Poles are young stems, generally the produce of thinnings 

 or coppice-fellings, and usually measure less than 7 inches 

 (18 centimeters) and down to 2J inches (6 centimeters) in mid- 

 diameter, being always measured unbarked. They are usually 



