TIMBER OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 85 



is a serious defect in timber which is to be used as pulp. 

 The western hemlock is a noble tree with very cylindrical, 

 straight, tapering trunk, and has been found with a diameter 

 of 8 ft. and a height of 250 ft. (Fig. 17). 



Hemlock of either species is not much appreciated in 

 Canada, as there is abundance of other timber of a similar 

 kind and of better quality. Hemlock, the western variety 

 especially, may be recognised by the silvery character of its 

 surface. 



Weight about the same as spruce of the same localities, 

 about 27 Ibs. per cubic foot. 



Yew (Taxus brevifolid) is a small to medium-sized tree, 

 forms no forests, but is scattered amongst the conifers. 

 The wood is heavy, hard, stiff and strong, of fine texture 

 with pale yellow sap and orange-red heart, seasons well, 

 and is quite durable. 



Extensively used for archery bows, turners' ware, etc. 



Hickory. The hickories of commerce are exclusively 

 North American, and some of them are large and beautiful 

 trees of 60 to 70 ft. or more in height. They are closely 

 allied to the walnuts, and the timber is very like walnut in 

 grain and colour, though of a somewhat darker brown. It is 

 one of the finest of American hardwoods in point of 

 strength ; in toughness it is superior to ash, rather coarse 

 in texture, smooth, straight in grain, heavy and strong as 

 well as elastic and tenacious, but decays rapidly when 

 exposed to damp and moisture, and is said to be very 

 liable to attack from worms. Great quantities are used for 

 hoops of casks ; it makes excellent handspikes, handles of 

 axes or picks, golf clubs, fishing rods, and is largely 

 employed in the making of carriage shafts and in coach- 

 building generally. Hickory is imported into Great 



