AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 

 IMPORTS OF LUMBER. 



83 



The imports of lumber at Calcutta, for 1892-1893, were as follows 

 from the different couutries: 



* On April 1, 1894, the value of the rupee, according to the U. S. Treasury, was 22.1 cents. 

 DUTY AND PRICES. 



There is no import duty on lumber from any country. 



In the Calcutta market the prices of lumber per cubic ton (50 cubic 

 feet) are as follows: Teak, 85 to 100 rupees ($18.78 to $22.10); sal, of 

 superior quality, 125 to 150 rupees ($27.62 to $33.10) ; sal, of inferior 

 quality, 60 to 75 rupees ($13.26 to $16.75); Oregon pine, 50 to 60 rupees 

 ($11.05 to $13.26). 



CLIMATE AND GENERAL BUILDING. 



The climate of India is tropical. Up country it is hot and dry, and in 

 Bengal and eastern India, hot and damp. 



But little lumber is used in building in Bengal, such as is used being 

 principally teak. Other timber would not be safe on account of the 

 white ants and borers, which eat out and honeycomb other timber in 

 every direction. The walls of the houses of the better classes are of 

 brick, with teak beams, the roofs being cemented. The native houses 

 are more cheaply built with walls of bamboo stems and matting, plas- 

 tered with mud, and thatched roofs. 



