90 AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 



Laquimanoc, Philippine Islands. The hard wood from Eussia is gen- 

 erally small, ranging in size from 12 by 12 up to 16 by 16 inches by 25 

 to 30 feet in length, and is known as hakmatak. But this hard wood 

 is not a dangerous competitor to the hard woods from Borneo and the 

 Philippine Islands, the Russian Government frequently refusing to 

 allow it to be exported, as it is in demand for the Siberian Railway. 



Of Borneo woods the best is billian, and for strength and durability 

 this wood can scarcely be surpassed. It bears exposure well, and seems 

 almost indestructible. When newly cut, billian resembles oak, but 

 with age and exposure it becomes as black as ebony. Samples of this 

 wood have been shown me weighing 70 pounds per cubic foot. Other 

 Borneo woods imported are russock, kapore, and serayah. The last- 

 mentioned wood has a strong resemblance to soft mahogany, and is 

 used for all purposes for which pine is suitable, and for furniture. 

 Although serayah is soft, and therefore easily worked, it is very strong, 

 tough, and heavy, weighing, on an average, 43 pounds per cubic foot. 

 Borneo woods average in size 12 by 12 to 14 by 14 inches by 30 feet in 

 length. If the question of expense is laid aside, one can with difficulty 

 obtain Borneo woods 20 by 20 inches and 30 feet in length. 



I am satisfied that, taking everything into consideration, the hard 

 woods preferred in northern China come from the Philippine Islands. 

 Of these, it has been estimated there are 30 varieties that have been 

 brought from time to time to Tientsin. The best-known Philippine 

 wood is the teak-like molave, which is grown from 11 to 22 feet in 

 length and 12 to 24 inches square. Special lengths of this wood from 

 30 to 35 feet can be obtained to a limited extent at considerable extra 

 cost. Molave is an excellent wood for resisting the action of the cli- 

 mate, which at times is very dry and at others very wet. It is also 

 especially valuable for work on the surface or underground, as it is 

 impervious to the action of the lime with which the soil around Tien- 

 tsin is impregnated. This wood, as well as another variety known as 

 bausalaque, is in general use for all purposes where an extra strong 

 and durable wood is required. 



The Chinese use a considerable quantity of hard wood yearly for gen- 

 eral purposes and for repairing temples around Peking and in building 

 and maintaining in order the imperial mausoleums. Work on the 

 temples and tombs requires, not infrequently, wood 20 to 30 inches 

 square by 40 to 60 feet in length, and Tientsin merchants, whenever 

 they are able to supply such wood free from knots, cracks, and other 

 defects, religiously observe the privilege of naming their own price. 



Large quantities of small, soft-wood planks are frequently imported 

 from Japan. These planks are very cheap. A Japanese soft-wood 

 plank measures approximately 7 feet in length by 12 to 14 inches in 

 width by 1 inch in depth, and is sold for 12 to 13 tael cents, or, at pres- 

 ent low exchange, 8J to 9J American cents. 



