48 Timber 



It may be used for all purposes for which spruce is applied, and 

 under favourable conditions the annual increment is larger. 



LARCH. This timber is in universal demand for all fencing 

 purposes. Speaking generally, the wood of this species is used for 

 purposes which do not entail much "conversion." It is especially 

 valuable for telegraph poles, scaffolding, and fencing. 



It is very durable, and it is stated that much of Venice is built 

 on larch piles, as it is so well able to resist the trying exposure of 

 alternating wet and dry conditions. 



Very little larch is imported into this country, and even that 

 small amount is usually inferior to home-grown timber. 



SCOTCH PINE. The timber of this species is very largely 

 imported into this country under the names of Dantzig, Riga, or 

 Memel pine. 



A very great variation occurs in the durability of this timber ; 

 the heart-wood of old trees is impregnated with resin, etc., and 

 this renders the timber of great .durability, but it hinders it from 

 being successfully treated with creosote. 



On the other hand, the thinnings, even when of small size, form 

 excellent material for the temporary fencing which is always in 

 demand on any estate. 



The principal uses are : — Constructional timbers of all kinds, 

 railway sleepers, etc. 



SPRUCE. The timber of this species is known as " white deal " 

 and is largely imported from Norway. 



In spite of the knots which occur (especially in home-grown 

 timber) the wood is easy to work, tough, and fairly elastic. It is not 

 easy to impregnate with creosote, and, on this account, it is not 

 regarded with favour by the British Government for use as telegraph 

 poles. 



It is employed for general constructional purposes, when not 

 exposed to weather. 



ALDER. Like the birch, this timber is characterised by pith 

 flecks, which are more numerous and distinct in the commoner 

 species. 



