CHAPTER XXVI 

 BRITISH TIMBER AND SOME OF ITS USES 



THE following are a few of the many uses to which home- 

 grown timber is applied : 



Alder is used extensively for clog soles, barrel staves, 

 mill bobbins, and occasionally in furniture making. It 

 makes excellent charcoal for cooking and heating, as well 

 as that used in the manufacture of gunpowder. 



The wood of the Apple, Cherry and Pear tree, when 

 of large size, is used for cabinet purposes, and stained in 

 imitation of other woods. For veneers, golf clubs, bowls, 

 etc., these woods are of value, as also for weaving shuttles. 



Ash timber is largely used by agricultural implement 

 makers on account of its possessing great elasticity and 

 bearing considerable cross-strain. It is the best wood 

 for shafts of all kinds, for tool handles and wooden rakes, 

 and is largely used by furniture makers. 



Beech wood is the chief constituent of cane-bottomed 

 chairs, and is largely employed for the handles of joiners', 

 carpenters' and other wood-workers' tools. For gun- 

 stocks, saddle-trees for heavy harness, wheel-felloes and 

 bobbins it is also largely employed. When of large size 

 and clean growth, it is used for calendar machines, and for 

 engineering purposes in spinning and bleaching districts. 

 It makes excellent charcoal. 



Birch wood is largely used for turnery work, thread 

 bobbins, clog soles, shoe pegs, furniture, hatters' blocks ; 

 it is also used in the manufacture of brushes and in toy 

 making. 



Chestnut (Spanish) timber more nearly approaches that 

 of oak than any other species, and when stained is not only 



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