USES OF WOOD. 199 



Reddish in colour, close-grained, and strong, 

 the wood of the Cherry (Gerasus vulgaris) is much 

 in request by turners and cabinet-makers, because 

 it is susceptible of a fine polish, can be easily 

 worked, and thus makes capital material for the 

 production of handsome articles. It is, amongst 

 other things, used for making musical instruments, 

 and from its colour can pass muster for mahogany, 

 or at least it has the advantage of a colour that is 

 very much in request. In many parts of the 

 world, where -mahogany is more easily obtainable 

 than Cherry wood, the latter would be more in 

 request, and would be more esteemed. 



Contrary to a rule that very generally holds 

 good with regard to timber, the wood of the 

 Chestnut (Castanea vesca) is better when the tree 

 is young than when it has attained age. By about 

 the time, therefore, that it has reached the age of 

 fifty years, its timber is generally in a fine state 

 of perfection. The wood of young trees is ex- 

 cellent at a very early stage for posts, stakes, 

 fence-poles, trellis-work, and other purposes, for 

 which especial durability is required. But as it 

 acquires a greater age than that indicated, the 



