6 REDWOOD LUMBERING. 



There are many reasons for this. First of all, it does not 

 shrink of any importance. The lumber green from the 

 saw is in many instances put in its place, and its moisture 

 only evaporates while the building is being constructed. In 

 fact, until very recently, lumbermen have made no effort to 

 keep a seasoned stock on hand. Another reason is the non- 

 inflammable nature of the redwood. It is worthy of note 

 that all the large towns and cities built from this material have 

 escaped destruction by fire in a marked manner ; especially 

 when there has been any assistance rendered by even an in- 

 efficient fire department. Time and again have interior towns 

 constructed entirely of pine been consumed by flame, while 

 the seacoast towns built of redwood have escaped ; many of 

 them having landmarks in the more populous thoroughfares 

 today that were erected a quarter of a century ago. For this 

 reason particularly is redwood the most desirable in construct- 

 ing farm houses, residences in suburbs of towns, and other 

 buildings dependent entirely upon arrangements made by 

 owners for self-protection from fire. That redwood will burn 

 under favorable circumstances there can be no question, and 

 assertions to the contrary are ridiculous. But that it has great 

 advantages over pine, no one disputes. The reason simply 

 is, that redwood contains no pitch or resinous matter by which 

 fire is fed. 



One of the most important purposes for which redwood 

 can be utilized is finishing the interior of all classes of 

 buildings, where perfect joints are necessary. It is well 

 known that pine, even after it is believed to be perfectly sea- 

 soned, is very likely to shrink and develope a poor joint. In 



