48 TIMBEE 



one of the many whitewoods used by the Tunbridge ware 

 manufacturer. Softer than holly, but preferable to it in 

 some ways for the turner, as it can be had in much larger 

 sizes ; it is also made into charcoal for gunpowder. 

 Weight 35 to 37 Ibs. per cubic foot. 



Alder (Alnus glutinosa) grows both in Europe and Asia, 

 where it is found along the swamps and low banks of 

 rivers as in Great Britain. It is only a small tree, 30 to 

 GO ft. high ; the wood is white when first cut, but changes 

 to a reddish colour, and then fades to a reddish yellow of 

 different shades ; the roots and knots are beautifully veined, 

 its annual rings are rather broad and wavy, and it is very 

 durable in damp situations or when kept perfectly dry. 

 It is a soft, light timber, uniform in texture, with fine, 

 smooth grain, is easily worked, and shrinks a good deal. 

 It is used for clogs and last-making, patterns, sides of 

 carts, packing cases, and also for wooden bowls, turnery, 

 and occasionally for furniture. German cigar boxes are 

 usually made of alder wood. The roots and hearts are 

 used by cabinet-makers, and much small stuff is grown for 

 making baskets, staves for herring barrels, etc. It was 

 formerly a good deal used for water-pipes, pumps, and sluices. 

 The supply comes chiefly from the Baltic. Vitruvius, the 

 early Eoman architect, says that the whole of the buildings 

 of Ravenna on the Adriatic were built upon piles of alder. 

 It is not of much value to the carpenter. 



Grey or White Alder (A. incana) is a native of many parts 

 of continental Europe, produces a white, fine-grained, com- 

 pact wood, but soon rots in damp situations. 



Weight of alder 26 to 41 Ibs. per cubic foot. 



Willows, of which there are about 160 species known, 

 yield a soft, light brownish yellow coloured wood, easily 



