Trees for Economic Planting 51 



perhaps any other species. It associates well with the oak 

 under cultivation. 



The Sycamore for profitable planting can be recom- 

 mended owing to the high price which can be obtained for 

 timber of large size, though even when of thirty years' 

 growth it finds a ready market for bobbin making and other 

 turnery purposes. 



The most suitable soil for the sycamore is a dry sandy 

 loam or even deep sand. The tree is peculiarly suitable for 

 planting in exposed or seaside situations and also for stand- 

 ing alone as a field or hedgerow tree. The timber is white, 

 smooth and free from grain. It is used for curtain rings, 

 churns, butter prints, backs of violins, founders' patterns, 

 cutting boards, and in the making of wooden vessels and 

 furniture. For calendar machines it is especially valuable. 



The Sweet or Spanish Chestnut is largely cultivated 

 for the value of the timber it produces. It thrives best on 

 deep gravelly soil or on granite or sandstone with a dry 

 subsoil, and with a southern or western exposure. The 

 timber is of excellent quality and lasts well either in water 

 or above or below ground. It is often substituted for that 

 of the oak, and is extensively employed for mill timber, 

 bridges, fencing of all kinds, posts, stakes, casks, and for 

 hop poles. 



The Spanish Chestnut is a tree of rapid growth and when 

 the timber is of fair size it finds a ready market, though at 

 a lower figure than that of the oak. 



Unfortunately the timber produced on certain soils and 

 situations is much reduced in value owing to cup shake. 



Elm, both English and Scotch, are extensively planted 

 for the value of timber produced. 



The timber of the English elm is of a rich brown colour, 

 hard, tough and usually twisted in the grain. Owing to the 

 strength of its lateral fibre the timber is much in request 

 for making blocks for ship's riggings, while it furnishes 

 naves for wheels, coffin boards, furniture, pumps, piles, 

 and is employed largely by the wheelwright. For using 

 under water it is the best wood cultivated in this country. 



The wood of the Scotch or Wych elm is considered to be 



