NATIONAL AFFORESTATION 



several houses built nearly half a century ago 

 of home-grown timbers are as sound to-day as 

 when they were erected. Not long ago we had 

 the opportunity of examining a cottage the 

 timber of which was used experimentally by 

 the proprietor, who had a more than passing 

 interest in the value of home-grown woods 

 for building purposes. The timber used in 

 this particular instance was that of the 

 common spruce from old trees grown on the 

 estate and seasoned and converted on the 

 spot. It is really marvellous to see how the 

 beams and purlins have stood the test of 

 time, though one important fact should 

 be stated that the timber during the seventy 

 years w r as not subjected to atmospheric 

 changes, the building being perfectly dry. 

 A well-known house in Aberdeenshire was 

 built in 1593, which date it bears, and the 

 lintels of the windows and other parts are of 

 home-grown spruce, and were found in good 

 condition when recently removed. Well- 

 seasoned spruce timber, say of from seventy 

 to one hundred years' growth, is most 

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