114 TIMBEE 



round the log, making very wide, thin boards ; it is largely 

 cut as veneer and used as " three ply " for boxes and chair 

 seats, it is also used for sounding boards in pianos and 

 organs. If well seasoned and painted it stands fairly well 

 for outside work. 



Cypress, of which there are several varieties, the bald 

 cypress, white, black, and red cypress, yields timber similar 

 in character, appearance, and uses to white cedar. The 

 cypress is a large deciduous tree, inhabiting swampy lands, 

 and along rivers and coasts of the southern parts of the 

 United States grows to a height of 150 ft. and 12 ft. in 

 diameter, and produces a wood of beautiful figure and 

 colouring, yellowish or yellowish brown. It is very durable 

 in most situations, as it is very little subject to fungi, light, 

 soft, close grained, and easily worked. It is used for doors, 

 roof shingles, cabinet work, boat-building, etc., and takes 

 a fine polish. 



The Red or Louisiana Cypress (Taxodium distichum), the 

 timber of which at the present time is being placed upon the 

 English market, is generally known as the bald or swamp 

 cypress and is allied to the Sequoia species (redwood). It 

 is much used for tanks, vats, and tubs ; in New Orleans 

 90,000 fresh water cisterns are said to be made of this 

 wood, and for this purpose it gives great satisfaction, and 

 has a long life. It can be got in fair lengths and widths ; 

 the annual rings are very close. The timber is of fine 

 uniform texture, soft, light, straight in grain and easily 

 worked, but requires careful seasoning ; it is very durable 

 in exposed situations, used a good deal in America for 

 conservatories and greenhouses, and by the Navy Depart- 

 ment for boats. 



A good deal of cypress has been used for railway con- 

 struction in the southern States. The red and black 



