CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 217 



sidered one of the best woods that the carpenter can take in hand. It 

 will be seen also from the results of tests (see p. 361) that the wood 

 possesses an exceptional strength in proportion to its weight and character. 



The demand has increased very considerably during the last few years, 

 and it is much to be regretted that general reports seem to anticipate 

 a short supply in the future. It is very difficult to season this wood in 

 the United Kingdom, and the customary calculations of time which 

 apply to ordinary woods will be found all too little for this. 



Dark rings mark clearly the concentric layers. The pores are not 

 visible under the lens (12 x). The medullary rays, which are only 

 noticeable in some specimens, cause a fine, mottled appearance on the 

 radial section. 



Pine, King William. Athrotaxis selaginoides, Don., and ^. cupressoides, 

 Don. Weight, 22 lbs. (Baterden). Tasmania. 



" The wood varies in colour from pinkish-yellow to pink. It is 

 extremely light, and has a scent like cedar, from which it is called the 

 ■ pencil cedar ' locally. After it is planed up there is a slight exudation 

 of the resin. It is used for cabinet and joiners' purposes, and for making 

 scuUs for racing-boats. Notwithstanding its extreme lightness, it has 

 considerable toughness and strength, and is very durable in the weather, 

 being second only to Huon pine in this respect " (Tasmanian Timbers). 



Pine, Long-leafed. Pinus longifolia, Roxb. Weight, 40 lbs. for 

 North-West wood; 40-43 lbs. for Sikkim wood (Gamble). 

 Northern India, the Himalayas. 



The wood is very similar in all respects to that of yellow pine {Pinus 

 Strobus), except that it is a little harder and possesses more " pitchy " 

 layers. It would be highly suitable for most of the uses to which yeUow 

 pine IS put. As will be seen, Gamble and Pearson regard it mainly from 

 the standpoint of its usefulness for sleepers in India. We should consider 

 it in England far too valuable for such use, and as there is evidence that 

 a considerable quantity can be expected, every effort should be made to 

 supply the required sleepers in India from timbers of less value. The 

 world's supply of pine is steadily decreasing, and for many purposes of 

 great importance it is the only suitable timber. Gamble says : " In his 

 hints on arboriculture in the Punjaub Ribbentrop says : ' I am convinced 

 that this tree will yield the greatest net money return when once we 

 begin to impregnate ' ; and I am disposed to endorse this, and to 

 express the opinion that when the convenient situation of the forests, 

 the easy reproduction of the tree, and the easy extraction of the timber 

 are taken into consideration, it ought to be from properly creosoted 



