262 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



Spruce, Japanese. Abies Mariesii, Mast. ; and Picea ajanensis, Fisch. 

 Japan. 



There are two varieties of wood which have been described as Japanese 

 spruce. According to information which has been received, all the 

 shipments landed in England have consisted of two varieties only. 

 These are " Todo Matsu " {Abies Mariesii, Mast.), and " Yezo Matsu " 

 {Picea ajanensis, Fisch.). Both of these are considered to be spruce, and 

 to correspond with the European spruce. 



There has nevertheless been found mixed \\ith these shipments a 

 variety which bears a closer resemblance to red Baltic pine — the Scots 

 pine {Pinus sylvestris), but which it is possible may be Japanese red pine 

 {Pinus densiflora, S. and Z.). The confusion which has arisen was caused 

 by the fact that the information regarding these shipments stated that 

 they did not include any red pine. 



It is estimated that there is an annual supply of 750,000 tons of this 

 Japanese spruce ; that is, 500,000 tons of " Todo Matsu " and 250,000 

 tons of " Yezo Matsu." 



Spruce, Silver. Picea sitchensis, Carr. Western Canada, United 

 States. 



This timber is produced from enormous trees of great length and 

 girth, which rank high amongst the giants of the forest, comparing even 

 with the lofty eucatypts of Australia. Notwithstanding the fact that 

 the timber is close-grained, remarkably free from knots and, relatively 

 to its weight, stronger than any other timber procurable, yet before the 

 European war it was scarcely known outside its own country. Indeed 

 the only use to which it was put in the United Kingdom was the Hmited 

 quantity purchased annually by the navy for making long oars, a pur- 

 pose which required a timber of this character free from knots. During 

 the war a dramatic change occurred, for o\ring to the sudden demand 

 for great quantities for the manufacture of aircraft, the value suddenly 

 rose to ten times, or even more, that of its pre-war price. 



It was subsequently discovered that the supplies were the product 

 of a number of different botanical species, including even Oregon pine 

 {Pseudotsnga Douglasii). Enquir^^ ensued, which resulted in the estab- 

 Hshment of the British Engineering Standards Association. Under 

 this Association a committee was appointed which decided the specifica- 

 tions for all the timber required for aircraft material. The silver spruce 

 used was to be of the above species, while the first qualities of any of 

 the following woods were admitted as approved substitutes : 



Quebec spruce {Picea alba and P. ingra, Link.). 



WTiite Sea white deal (P. excelsa. Link.). 



WTiite Sea red deal {Pinus sylvestris, Linn.). 



