i6 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



greatly in demand for framing, pillars, and general construction of 

 bodies of motor -carriages, and also for the general woodwork of the 

 hoods. 



As a result of the great impetus given to the manufacture of aircraft 

 on account of the war, supplies of EngUsh ash for use in this connection 

 became of the greatest importance. The best wood obtainable was, in 

 the early stages, used for spars and langerons. Very soon, however, the 

 employment of ash for spars was largely discontinued, silver spruce and 

 other woods being used in its place. For langerons it retained its position 

 of importance, and nothing has yet been found so suitable for this purpose. 

 Later, when the construction of aircraft of all kinds and sizes became 

 necessary, it was found to be the best wood for the keel pieces of the 

 gondolas, and for some of the other constructional parts, such as the ribs. 

 An enormous number of pieces were required up to 32 feet in length, with 

 straight and even grain throughout the whole length, and entirely free 

 from the slightest defect. These were forthcoming, and it would perhaps 

 be impossible to overrate the important part which a sufficient supply of 

 this exceptional wood played in our efforts, which subsequently proved 

 successful, to obtain command of the air. At a comparatively early date 

 in the war the Air Board reaUsed the great importance of securing a 

 regular and adequate supply, and large contracts were placed all over the 

 country. Even then it was not considered that sufficient quantities of 

 the right material would be secured, and one of the officials of the Air 

 Board originated a scheme to solve this problem. An organisation known 

 as the " Aerial League " was formed, one of the functions of which was to 

 approach every landowner throughout the country with the object of 

 securing from him at a moderate price the whole of the ash trees growing 

 on his estate which could be used for aircraft purposes. The immediate 

 result was an almost universal acceptance of the scheme. Accordingly 

 within a short time large numbers of suitable trees were cut down, 

 promptly converted to the required thicknesses, artificially dried, and 

 speedily manufactured into aircraft. It would not be an exaggeration 

 to say that timber which was growing in this country was within a few 

 weeks actually a part of aeroplanes which were then flying over the 

 German lines in Flanders. 



As has already been said, ash is always a difficult wood to season; 

 nevertheless, under the impulse of necessity and the use of the most 

 scientific methods of artificial seasoning, success was achieved. Indeed 

 the artificially seasoned product showed, on the whole, better results than 

 were obtained from the naturally seasoned wood which previously had 

 alone been obtainable. The effect of the large demand made on the 

 resources of the country in this respect during the war must be felt in the 

 future, and it is to be hoped that such measures will be taken as will 



