598 



INDUSTRIAL USES OF WOOD. 



for Germany, the best staves going to France. These are 

 made as shown in Fig. 341, from the best oak trees measuring 

 (without sapwood) 22 inches in diameter. 



In the trade, the staves are sold in lots each sufficient to 

 make up into a cask of different dimensions, or for France, in 

 hundreds. 



The import of staves (Quercus alba) from America is increas- 

 ing steadily at Bordeaux, Liverpool, Hamburg, etc., and is 

 reducing the price of European wood. 



Fig. 341. Staves shown in a cross-section of oak. 



The waste of wood in making staves varies from 30 to 50 

 per cent. 



After rough staves have left the forest they require further 

 trimming and shaping by the hand of the cooper, and must 

 be allowed to season in piles in the open for several years 

 before they are fit to make serviceable casks. If, however, 

 they are steeped in water when quite green and then dried 

 carefully, they may be made into casks two years after leaving 

 the forest. 



Machines are used in England for making casks, and the 

 latter are much more regular and of better appearance than 

 those made by hand : it is only questionable whether casks 



