50 Timber 



When creosoted, it makes fair fencing material, although it has 

 the reputation of being brittle when the posts are driven in; if, 

 however, their upper ends are cut square, and if driven in properly, 

 there is little fault to be found in this respect. 



BIRCH. The timber is soft and easily worked. It is much used 

 for crates and all kinds of rough carving and turning, such as 

 bobbins, toys, and sabots ; also for charcoal and fuel, for which latter 

 purpose it is in request because of its cheapness and good heating 

 properties. Pith flecks are present in the wood. 



Cases of malformation of the grain occur and these are 

 frequently valuable for furniture, etc. The wood is of very small 

 durability when exposed to the weather. 



SWEET CHESTNUT. The wood is extremely durable and 

 moderately heavy. Its economic value is, however, marred by the 

 liability of mature trees to develop a shake. 



It is excellent for fencing purposes, outlasting even good oak, 

 particularly when in the ground. On the Continent, it is largely used 

 for barrel staves. 



It coppices freely and makes good hop poles. 



ELM (ENGLISH). The timber is dark in colour and coarse ; 

 it is hard and durable, especially so when used underground or 

 completely submerged. 



A notable feature is the extreme difficulty with which this wood 

 splits ; and this quality causes it to be selected for purposes such as 

 pulley blocks, naves of wheels, turning, etc. It is also used in 

 carriage-building, for coffins, etc., and it may be looked upon as 

 an inferior and cheap substitute for oak. 



The timber varies considerably in its quality. The soil on 

 which it is grown must be good and the climate fairly genial. 

 Generally, it may be taken that the timber depreciates in quality the 

 further north it is grown, so that in Scotland the timber of the wych 

 elm is preferred. 



HORNBEAM. This wood is hard, tough, and heavy ; very 

 close in the grain and difficult to split. 



