i88 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



wood thickly in between the planks, but this practice may result in 

 fermentation and formation of fungi, and it is ver}^ doubtful if it is 

 effective. 



Elwes, writing of some magnificent specimens of panelling and wain- 

 scoting executed in brown oak for Dr. Weld, of Boston, U.S.A., by 

 Messrs. Noyes & Whitcomb, thus describes the method of seasoning 

 employed by this firm. " Dry white fine boards fresh from the hot-air 

 kiln are laid on each side of the oak boards, and properly stripped [sticked] 

 in an open covered shed. \Mien the moisture has been partially absorbed, 

 they are all turned over and again sandwiched between fresh dry fine 

 boards ; thus sa\dng a great deal of time, which is rarely given to season 

 timber properly in America, and preparing the wood to stand the condi- 

 tions of dryness, which are more trying to furniture in American than 

 in English houses." 



Veneers cut from " brown oak " (especially from burr-wood) require 

 very special care in drpng in order to avoid splitting, and to keep them 

 flat. They should be stored in a cool place, a basement for preference, 

 packed as tightly as possible, covered with tarpaulin, and loaded above 

 with weights. After a time they should be carefully turned over, wiped 

 with a cloth, and re-packed \vith the reverse side uppermost. 



Oak, Burr, and Pollard. Quercus pedunculata, Ehrh., and Q. sessiliflora, 

 Sm. Great Britain. 



Burr-wood shows the grain of the wood running in all directions, 

 so that the cut surface is marked by small twists, curls, or bird's-eye 

 specks, and often has scraps of enclosed bark (" gaul "). As is always 

 the case with burr- wood, that of the oak is particularly liable to warp, 

 twist, and even crack during drying, and especially so w'hen used in 

 thick pieces ; it is therefore invariably cut into veneers, ^\'hen well 

 chosen, burr- wood of " brown oak " produces a variegated decorative 

 effect which is unrivalled of its kind ; w^hile the burr of ordinary oak 

 jields veneered panels whose ornamental qualities will be regarded by 

 many as superior to those of certain more costly woods, including bird's- 

 eye maple. Burr-wood is produced by pollard as well as other oak 

 trees. 



A poUard tree is one whose poll (head) has been cut off when the tree 

 has reached a considerable age ; pollard willows, cultivated to produce 

 osiers for basket work, pro\ide a familiar example. The results of such 

 decapitation are : first, that the growth in length of the main trunk is 

 permanently arrested ; and secondly, that a number of branches shoot 

 forth from the top of the headless bole and develop into more or less 

 vigorous boughs. 



Pollard oaks are abundant in England, and include most of the old 



