B. sempervirens 



According to these reports, the Box-wood ex- 

 ported from the Port of Poti was : 



In 1890, 600 tons, valued at ^5000 

 ,,1891, 60 ,, 400 

 1894, 424 ,, 4240 



l8 95 54 540 

 Most of the Box- wood that finds its way into 

 the London markets is said to come via Turkey 

 or Odessa, even if procured from distant countries. 

 Herbert Stone, F.L.S., in his book on Timbers 

 of Commerce and their Identification, says that 

 Russian Box- wood is rapidly being replaced by 

 West Indian Box- wood, except for the very best 

 articles, on account of its increasing cost. 



The Diplomatic and Consular Report, No. 3864, 

 states that in 1906, 3,500,000 Ibs. of Box- wood 

 was exported from the Mazanderan (Persia) 

 forests, to Russia. 



London gives a lot of interesting information 

 about Box-wood in Arb. Frutic. In speaking of 

 the growth and use of the wood in France, he 

 says : " The wood of trunks in France is rarely 

 found of sufficient size for blocks, and where it 

 is, it is so dear that trees are not cut down at 

 once, but pieces are taken from living trees as 

 required." In his time the French turners were 

 wont to place the wood in dark cellars for a 

 period of from three to five years, to keep it from 

 splitting. It was then taken out, the bark re- 

 moved, and buried in the ground to keep it from 



219 



