24 TIMBER 
conifers, and exists at a height of about 3,000 ft. above 
sea-level; the best specimens, however, attain their 
greatest size in the valleys. It is found in the same 
regions and shipped from the same ports in much about 
the sarne manner as the Northern Pine, excepting that 
the qualities exported are extremely limited in 
comparison with those of the latter species. 
It is one of the loftiest of European trees, often 
growing to a height of between 80 and 100 ft.; 
it is however not so quick growing as the Scotch fir. 
Unlike this last-named variety, it has a development of 
its branches low down towards the base of the stem, 
assuming in its growth a somewhat pyramidal form. 
The wood is of white or yellowish-white colour, 
tough and elastic in fibre, but not so strong as red 
deal. It works fairly well, having in good qualities a 
satiny lustre after the process of planing, and, although 
much of the timber has the defect of having number- 
less small live knots in its growth, it forms an excellent 
material for inside joinery, for which it is principally 
used. It holds however a greatly inferior positon 
and is much less valuable than red deal owing to its 
want of durability when exposed to the weather. The 
best qualities are found in the shipments from Petro- 
grad and Archangel, those from Riga and other Baltic 
ports being of somewhat coarse fibre. Besides its use 
in the building trade for inside purposes, it is in favour 
with the cabinet maker for kitchen tabie-tops, and to 
some extent for other purposes, owing to the great 
appreciation of late years in the price of Quebec pine. 
The poorer qualities are largely used in the packing- 
case trade, and there is a large export to Great Britain 
of floor-boards and match-lining which are principally 
used for cheap house-building. Great quantities are 
also used in the manufacture of paper pulp, the export 
