AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 7 



In December, 1867, one of my rain gauges, holding 2 inches, filled and overflowed 

 in a single night. The month of January is often without rain, and then is, per- 

 haps, the driest and pleasantest month of the year. Sometimes, however, it counts 

 many days of rain. February, likewise, is uncertain, and has been in my experience 

 the wettest, windiest, and most unsettled month. March usually brings much fine 

 weather, but rain sometimes falls on several days. April and May are spring months 

 with occasional showers. June is almost invariably cloudy. July, August, and 

 September are cloudless months of unbroken sunshine. The wet weather of Madeira 

 is seldom lasting, and in the entire winter there are few consecutive rainy days. 



Annually there are eighty days in which rain falls. The fall of snow upon the 

 mountains generally happens in January or February; it seldom lies long upon the 

 hills. Snow is seldom seen upon the mountains lower than 3,000 feet above Funchal ; 

 and it has probably never been known to lie nearer in altitude than 2,500 feet. 



GENERAL BUILDING. 



There is nothing doing here in the way of general building. In the 

 line of ship building nothing but small boats are constructed. 



We have one short railway, of about 3 miles, from the city to the top 

 of the mountain. 



THOMAS C. JONES, 



Consul 

 FUNCHAL, February 21, 1894. 





SIERRA LEONE. 



NATIVE WOODS. 



Native woods used in building here are oak, whismore, brimstone, 

 teak, mahogany (two varieties), rosewood (fine quality), and black 

 walnut. These are durable woods that will withstand insects and 

 weather. 



KINDS OF LUMBER USED. 



The native woods are used in the framing and outside works, and 

 American pine for finishing. The nicest finish is obtained by using 

 rosewood. 



IMPORTS OF LUMBER. 



During the year 1893, 855,971 feet of pine lumber were received at 

 this port from the United States. No other country sends lumber to 

 Sierra Leone. 



DUTY AND PRICES. 



The import duty on lumber is 7J per cent ad valorem, invoice price. 



The present prices of lumber in this market are: Sawed lumber ? 

 lineal measure, 1 inch thick, board measure, $40 per 1,000 feet; clear 

 pitch pine, planed on one side, $GO; if tougued and grooved, $80. 



