446 CONIFERS. 



logous to what has already been mentioned in regard to 

 the deterioration of the Scotch Pine, when raised from 

 seed grown in England and upon soils uncongenial to its 

 nature. 



The failure of the Weymouth Pine as a profitable tree 

 to the planter, and the comparative neglect into which it 

 has fallen, being now seldom planted, except for the sake 

 of variety or ornament, is the less to be regretted, as other 

 species have been introduced of a more hardy constitution, 

 and producing- wood much superior in quality, so far at 

 least as regards strength, elasticity of fibre, and dura- 

 bility. The wood of the Weymouth Pine is white or 

 very pale yellowish white, of a fine grain, light, and very 

 soft, but with little strength and not calculated to with- 

 stand the effects of alternate dryness and moisture ; for 

 the interior finishing of houses and fine joiner work it is 

 an excellent material, being easily worked, and taking a 

 fine satiny surface under the plane ; it is also, in general, 

 very free from knots, the lower side branches being small, 

 and, in the thick American forests, perishing at an early 

 age. Its want of strength, however, renders it greatly 

 inferior to the Scotch and many other species for beams, 

 rafters, and other important parts of the woodwork of 

 houses, added to which it is much more susceptible of, 

 and predisposed to, the dry rot. It is, therefore, to be 

 regretted that wood of a character so much inferior to 

 that of the Common Pine, or, as it is usually called, Baltic 

 timber, should, from the operation and unequal bearing of 

 our fiscal regulations in regard to the importation of timber, 

 be used so frequently for the main timbers of buildings, its 

 exemption from the high duty charged upon the superior 

 article from the Baltic enabling the merchant to sell it at a 

 much lower price, of which advantage is taken by specu- 



