560 INDUSTRIAL USES OF WOOD. 



generally of greater importance than their breadth; it is chiefly 

 large trees (16 inches and more in mid-diameter) which are 

 most usually converted into planks and scantling, and the 

 following kinds are commonly known in the timber-trade : 



(a) Pieces square, or nearly so, in Section. (Fig. 326.) 



i. Scantlings may be 8 to 20 feet long, and in section 

 2 inches by 2 inches, 2J inches by 2J inches, 3 inches by 

 3 inches, 3 inches by 4 inches, 3 inches 

 by 5 inches, 4 inches by 4 inches, 4 inches 

 by 5 inches, 5 inches by 5 inches, and 

 5 J inches by 6 inches : they are sawn from 



Fig. 326. Scantlings. . a J . , 



logs and beams, of 2 to 6 inches nnd- 

 diameter and 8 to 20 feet long, also from planks. They are 

 used for supporting floors and roofs, for door-posts, gates, etc. 

 ii. Laths are made by sawing up planks, and are generally 

 less than 2 inches thick, from 10 to 20 feet long, their usual 

 dimensions are f inch to 1J inches thick, and 1^ inches to 

 2 inches wide. They are used in supporting tiles, slates and 

 ceilings, also espaliers, vines, etc. ; they are frequently split 

 instead of being sawn. Laths for ceilings may be sold even 

 when Jrd of an inch thick and 1 foot or 2 feet long. 



(b) Boards in which, the Breadth is much Greater than 



the Thickness. 



i. Planks are cut right through the stem and are usually 

 10 to 20 feet in length, and 8 to 14 inches by 2 to 4 inches, 

 and exceptionally 6 inches in section. 

 t^^^^^u (Fig. 327.) 



[In the case of oakwood such planks 

 take at least one year for every inch 

 ~ 327 Boards ^ thickness for seasoning, and they 



are kept in stock by timber-merchants 

 and used for all kinds of purposes, frequently after being 

 further reduced in size. Railway-sleepers are comprised under 

 this class, their dimensions will be given further on. Tr.] 



ii. Deals under 2 inches in thickness, usually varying from 

 J inch to 1 inch, and of various lengths, but generally from 



