TIMBER OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 115 



varieties are excellent and durable timber ; some consider 

 the black cypress the better wood. 



A good many fine specimens of this swamp cypress, 

 which grows best where the roots are always in contact 

 with water, are to be found in Great Britain growing to a 

 height of 100 ft. The timber is said to last well in 

 fencing, but we have not had much experience of it. 



Persimmon, the Virginian date plum (Diospyros virginiana), 

 a tree of 30 to 50 ft. high and 18 to 20 inches in 

 diameter, is noted chiefly for its fruit, but it produces a 

 very hard and elastic timber of considerable value, some of 

 which comes in small pieces into the English market. The 

 colour of the wood is brown, sometimes almost black, with 

 rather broad, cream coloured sap, very close grained, tough 

 and strong, but liable to split. It is used in turnery and 

 now largely as a substitute for box especially the black or 

 Mexican variety and a good deal in shuttles for weaving 

 purposes, shoe lasts, etc. It does best in the lower Ohio 

 valley, but is found from New York to Texas. The tree is 

 also found in various parts of the world, including Japan. 

 The annual rings are distinct, and medullary rays very 

 fine. It somewhat resembles hickory, but is of finer 

 texture. 



Locust or False Acacia grows extensively in the southern 

 States arid also in Canada, and produces a timber of 

 greenish yellow colour with reddish or brown markings. 

 It is very durable, heavy, fairly hard and tough, rivalling 

 some of the best oak in this latter quality, makes good 

 treenails and durable fencing posts and door sills, and is a 

 good deal used for fretwork. The timber has great 

 torsional strength, excelling most of the soft woods in 

 this respect. There are several varieties. 



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