PREFACE 
At the desire of the publishers I have attempted, in 
the following pages, to write some account of the timbers 
which enter so largely:into the composition of many 
objects in our everyday life. 
The literature relating to the subject is not extensive, 
and, with one or two exceptions, the books that have 
been published have been written more with a view to 
disseminate botanical or other scientific information 
than to give a practical knowledge of the woods in every- 
day use. As this book is for popular consumption, I 
have, therefore, endeavoured to make it as free from 
technical and scientific terms as possible, and have also, 
partly from the limits of the pages, strictly confined my 
remarks to the timbers which are at the present time 
dealt with in ordinary commerce, and of which I can 
speak with a practical knowledge gained in a rather 
lengthy experience in handling, buying and selling. 
For some interesting statistics in reference to a few 
of the woods, I have to tender my thanks to the Editor 
of The Timber Trades’ Journal, and I must also express 
my obligations for further records which were obtained 
from the well-known firm of London Wood-brokers, 
Churchill & Sim. 
WILLIAM BULLOCK. 
STOKE NEWINGTON, 
Lonpon, N. 
