146 



THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



The wood from Cuba has largely taken the place of the old supplies 

 from San Domingo. It is of the same character, though occasionally 

 it surpasses it, for while the colour of the latter darkens with age, the 

 Cuban wood retains its brightness and transparency. It shrinks very 

 little in seasoning, does not warp or twist, and is very durable. 



The colour of Cuban mahogany when first worked is very light, even 

 lighter than some of the other sorts, but an impression prevails that it 

 should be as dark as the old work which has matured with age. In 

 order to comply with the somewhat unreasonable demand for this darker 

 wood, it is customary to stain the new to the shade of the old. This is an 

 unfortunate practice as it entirely spoils the transparency and beauty 

 of the wood. Originally aU the polishing was done by hand, without the 

 use of polish ; this produces the best results. Staining and heavy french 

 polishing ruin the colour, which otherwise would continue to improve 

 with the lapse of time. Very beautifully marked wood is obtained by 

 cutting through the fork of the main trunk, or of two large limbs, thus : 



Single heart. 



Double heart, showing curl. 



Sometimes the main trunk itself consists of twin trees which have 

 grown together. This peculiarity occurs more often in Cuba mahogany 

 than in any other. When this growth has taken place without the 

 formation of any bark the wood presents a rich and agreeable appearance. 

 These pieces when converted are known in the United Kingdom by the 

 term " curls " and in America as " crotches." They are used extensively 

 for panels and other decorative work. 



The pores are irregular in position and size, and are more or less 

 plugged with gum (?). The medullary rays are rough and irregular, 

 showing rather obscurely in small flecks on the radial section, joined 

 at right angles by rough similar light-coloured lines at irregular intervals. 



