170 



THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



This authority regulates the different qualities by rule, the product being 

 divided into what are called " firsts and seconds," " No. i common," 

 " No. 2 common," and " culls." A very large quantity of floorings is 

 imported ready prepared. AH flooring strips in America are of a much 

 narrower width than that which has been commonly adopted in the United 

 Kingdom ; the usual widths of imported American floorings are nominal 

 3 and 3^ inches. The wood is always plain sawn, quarter sawn floor- 

 ings being unknown. It is tongued and grooved, and generally bored 



A. Plain Sciwn. 



B. Quarter sawn. 



C. Quarter sawn. 



for secret nailing : the ends also are tongued and grooved, so that they 

 can be joined without cross-cutting to fit the joists. The lengths are much 

 shorter than those commonly used in English prepared floorings, ranging 

 as the wood falls from the saw, from 18 inches to 16 feet, the average 

 being about 8 feet. A very excellent plan of hollowing the under side is 

 adopted in order to provide for a free current of air, and the consequent 

 ventilation of the floor to prevent the attack of dry rot. 



According to the Pioneer Western Lumberman, San Francisco, 



