CHAP, xxxin.] RED PINE. 



of commerce in logs of from 10 to 18 inches square, and 

 from 1 6 to 50 feet in length. The tree is of erect growth, 

 with a tendency to slight curvature at the butt or root 

 end of the stem, and, like most other Pines and Firs, has 

 numerous though not usually heavy branches. 



The wood is white, tinged with yellow or straw 

 colour ; it is tough, elastic, moderately strong, and pos- 

 sesses a clean fine grain, which works up well, leaving 

 upon the surface a smooth silky lustre. It is not apt to 

 shrink, split, or warp much in seasoning, and, technically 

 speaking, it stands well, which renders it a choice and 

 very valuable wood for all kinds of construction, while 

 in the dbmestic arts there need not be any limit to its 

 application. 



The Red Pine is very solid about the pith or centre 

 of the log, and has but little alburnum or sap-wood. 

 There is, therefore, only a small amount of loss in its 

 conversion, even if reduced to planks and boards ; while 

 it can further be worked with great advantage in ship- 

 building, for deck purposes, for cabin, and for other 

 fitments. 



With every season's fall of this timber there are a 

 few rough spars selected for hand-masts, holding about 

 the same dimensions as those obtained from Riga. 

 These spars, however, are very few in proportion to the 

 number of trees felled, owing to the fact before men- 

 tioned, that the trees are not generally quite straight, 

 although fairly grown. On this account the selected 

 spars nearly all require to be dressed to a straight form, 

 and simply taking off the knotty tops of the trees and 

 removing the bark is not sufficient to constitute the 

 hand-mast of this species of Pine. 



The surveyor and mast-maker will, therefore, find it 

 necessary to examine these spars very carefully to ascer- 



