272 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



tain the amount of dressing to which they have been 

 subjected, and whether or not the fibre has been cut or 

 destroyed to a degree that would impair its trust- 

 worthiness for mast purposes. If the spar is found 

 to be straight and free from injurious knots, and exces- 

 sive dressing, it may be accepted as likely to do good 

 service, the strength and elasticity of this wood com- 

 paring favourably with those of the Riga and Dantzic 

 Firs. 



The trees that remain after the spars are withdrawn 

 are hewn into a square form, and have a small amount of 

 wane left upon each angle (Fig. 28). They are also 



FIG. 2&JT. 



FIG. 



dressed to follow the natural taper of the tree, which is 

 rather more rapid and noticeable than in other Pines. 

 No particular classification is made of this wood for the 

 market, beyond the separation of the larger from the 

 smaller or building scantlings, and the quotations of 

 prices for the timber are generally for "large," or for 

 " mixed," and "building " sizes. 



The Red Pine of Canada is dearer than the Fir 

 timber of the North of Europe by at least the difference 

 in the cost of freight, and, hence, it does not find quite 

 so ready a sale, the quality of the article to be employed 

 in ordinary building operations not being so much a 

 consideration as the quantity to be obtained for money. 



