WEYMOUTH PINE. 



447 



lating and contract builders, who feel but little interested 

 in the durability of their erections. In consequence of 

 its exemption from duty, the importation of the Wey- 

 mouth Pine timber into Britain from our North Ame- 

 rican colonies is of immense extent, and likely so to con- 

 tinue, at least, as long as the present impolitic restrictions 

 continue in force, and prevent a more abundant and ade- 

 quate supply of a superior description of timber from the 

 north of Europe. 



The Weymouth Pine is a native of North America, 

 being found in great abundance, and occupying large 

 tracts from Canada to Virginia. According to Michaux, 

 it attains its largest dimensions in New Hampshire, Ver- 

 mont, and near the commencement of the river St. Law- 

 rence, where the largest specimens are found growing in 

 the soft, friable, and fertile soils of the valleys, or in 

 the deep, black sandy loam of the banks of rivers. In 

 such situations, it sometimes reaches a height of one 

 hundred and eighty feet, and the above-named author 

 mentions two trunks, felled for canoes, that he measured, 

 one of which was one hundred and fifty-four feet long 

 and fifty-four inches in diameter near the butt, the other 

 one hundred and forty-two feet long and forty-four inches 

 in diameter. In these deep, loose, and moist soils it pos- 

 sesses, in the highest degree, those qualities which charac- 

 terize its timber ; being lighter, finer in grain and texture, 

 and softer than when grown upon more elevated and 

 drier tracts, where the wood is coarser, but firmer and 

 more resinous. In America, the White Pine, as the wood 

 of this species is called, is extensively used and for a great 

 variety of purposes. Its fine grain, soft texture, and the 

 ease with which it is worked and cut in every direction, 

 adapting it for the interior and decorated wood-work of 



