212 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



TABLE CXIII. 

 Vertical or Crushing Strain on cubes of 2 inches. 



E - 343980. S = 1675. 



THE AMERICAN ASH TREE, OR THE WHITE ASH 

 (Fraxinus Americana), 



is found chiefly on the banks of the rivers of North 

 America. It is of straight growth, and frequently attains 

 a height of 70 feet, with a circumference of from 3 to 5 

 feet. It is imported into this country, only sparingly, in 

 logs varying from 10 to 18 inches square, and 18 to 35 

 feet in length ; but comes to us in considerable quantities 

 in a partially manufactured state in the form of machine- 

 made boat-oars, handspikes, &c. 



The wood is light brown or whitish in colour, of very 

 moderate hardness and weight, is tough, elastic, clean 

 and straight in the grain, and quite easy to work ; it 

 stands well after seasoning, and hence we get from this 

 tree the best material for oars for boats that can be pro- 

 duced. They are much and eagerly sought after by 

 foreign Governments as well as our own, and also by the 

 great private steamship companies and the mercantile 

 marine of this country, consequently there is often a very 

 keen competition for the possession of them. 



The best quality wood has a clean, bright, uniform 

 whitish colour, the second is slightly stained with red 

 and yellow shades alternating, while the third, and most 

 objectionable, quality is that in which the red and yellow 

 colours predominate over the healthy shade. Any devia- 



