584 INDUSTRIAL USES OF WOOD. 



(b) Mast- and Spar- Wood. Wood for masts, booms, and 

 spars should be perfectly straight, as cylindrical as possible, 

 and when required for large ships, of the largest possible 

 dimensions. First-class masts must measure, free from sap- 

 wood, at least 60 to 80 feet in length and be 16 to 20 inches 

 in diameter at the small end ; formerly such masts were 

 procurable in Hauptsmoor, near Bamberg. Almost exclusively 

 coniferous wood was used for masts, but the use of such wood 

 of the largest dimensions has been replaced by that of hollow 

 steel masts. Smaller spars still are required which are of 

 dimensions within the powers of most forests to supply. 



5. Supply of Timber for Shipbuilding. 



The supply of oak-timber from German forests is only small. 

 The system of coppice- with- standards is better adapted for the 

 supply of oak-timber for shipbuilding than the even-aged 

 systems, and thus France, where this system is very preva- 

 lent, produces large quantities of suitable oakwood. Most of 

 the timbers used in shipbuilding are compass-timbers, which 

 are much more abundant in uneven-aged wood, and even in 

 hedgerow trees, than in even- aged high-forest. The wood of 

 standards in coppice is also harder, and of better quality for 

 the purpose, growing as they do, isolated or in groups, with 

 plenty of room both for their roots and crowns. 



As regards mastwood the opposite conditions prevail ; slow, 

 uniform, and prolonged growth are required, and the trees 

 must be grown close until they have attained their full height, 

 in a uniformly moist soil, a situation sheltered from storms, 

 and a cold climate, such as the Baltic Provinces. Only 

 individual trees in such woods will attain sufficient dimensions 

 for the largest masts, and on them great care and attention 

 must be bestowed. 



SECTION VII. JOINERY AND CABINET-MAKING. 



Joiners and cabinet-makers use large quantities of wood, 

 which is usually the only material they employ. These 

 industries have become highly specialised, and there arc all 



