2 TIMBERS AND THEIR USES 



tion has been developed largely upon its possi- 

 bilities." In the ages of long ago, before metal 

 implements were known, when stone was utilized 

 for cutting, buildings and various utensils were 

 fashioned of wood. Boats were constructed by 

 burning fires atop of some rough hewn log, till 

 such time as the centre was charred and easily 

 chipped away. With the advent of metals, 

 wood became more easy to work and also, for 

 certain purposes, fell into disuse. But, despite 

 all rivals, wood, by reason of the many uses to 

 which it may be put, continues to hold its own 

 and not only so, but is in more demand to-day 

 than ever before. On the score of cheapness 

 alone, wood has a tremendous advantage over 

 metal, it is cheaper in production, cheaper in 

 manufacture. Even in the days when cheap- 

 ness became the " golden calf " of this country, 

 low price alone was not sufficient to establish 

 the popularity of wood. Incredible as it may 

 seem to one who has never made comparative 

 strength tests between wood and metals, certain 

 woods possess greater tensile strength than 

 wrought iron of the same weight ; show a higher 

 compression stress than a piece of wrought iron 

 of the same weight and height. Also, a long 

 beam of well-seasoned wood of certain kinds 

 shows less deflection under a load, than an iron 

 bar of the same length and weight, under the 



