( 127 ) [SOF 



Sloates. The narrow pieces of wood which hold a framework 

 together, as the slats or sloates of a gate or cart. 



Slot Mortising Machine. A machine which cuts out mortises by 

 means of a revolving tool. This leaves the ends of the 

 mortise circular in form. Gate and fence posts are visually 

 mortised in this manner. 



Smoked Beech. Used in the manufacture of sabots or wooden 

 shoes in Germany ; to render it proof against decay, it is first 

 converted to the smallest sizes required for practical pur- 

 poses, and then steamed and smoked over branches and chips 

 of beechwood, or, in other words, charged by fumigation with 

 the pyroligneous acid common to the beech. 



Snag. A rough piece of timber. The term is generally used for 

 pieces floating or accidentally fixed in water. It has the 

 same meaning as " knag " (which see). 



Snake. In sawing, to make a wavy cut in a log. It is & sign of 

 poor saw fitting. 



Snape or Snape-ended. A term applied to square or partially 

 squared logs, especially of mahogany, which have been 

 dragged overland before shipment, and, to ease their motion, 

 have had their front lower sides somewhat rounded, sledge 

 fashion ; such ends, as in Greenheart, become special lines 

 in the timber trade, where they pass into various trades ; 

 one is in connection with " hydraulic oil-presses." They are 

 invariably bored for pegs, for hali rig-ropes, or chains. See 

 " Snipe-ended." 



Snath. See " Sued." 



Sned or Snath (variously written "snead," "sneed," " sneath"). 

 The handle of a scythe. 



Snedding. Dressing a tree. 



Sneeze-wood (Pteroxylonutile). One of the most valuable woods 

 of South Africa for engineering work, furniture and carpen- 

 try. It is difficult to work, as its dust provokes violent 

 sneezing. 



Snigging. Dragging the logs on the ground. Called locally 

 " tushing." 



Snipe-ended or Snake-ended. Hewn logs tapered at the butt end 

 in felling for the purpose of facilitating being drawn through 

 the bush. See " Snape-ended." 



Soffit. The under side of the lintel or ceiling of an opening, also 

 the under horizontal surface of an architrave between the 

 column and the under surface of the corona of a cornice. 



Softwood. A term applied to the produce of needle-leafed or 

 coniferous trees. 



